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Walton High School

Q: Is Walton High School a good school?

Walton High School ranks 213 th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

213^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 838 Florida High Schools

Better than 75% of Florida high schools

Summary

Walton High School in Defuniak Springs, FL, serves 969 students in grades 9-12 and is the largest high school in the Walton district, with a 4-star rating and a 75th percentile state ranking.

The most remarkable finding is the school’s "absenteeism paradox": despite a high chronic absenteeism rate of 32% (above the district average of 24.3%), Walton High School achieved a perfect 100% graduation rate for the 2024-2025 school year. This suggests the school has highly effective systems for credit recovery and re-engaging students who miss significant class time. While Freeport Senior High School outperforms Walton in most academic metrics (e.g., 98% vs. 78% in Biology proficiency), Freeport serves a much less economically disadvantaged population (39.29% vs. 63.26% free/reduced lunch). Walton’s solid results despite serving a more challenged student body are a testament to its effectiveness. In contrast, nearby Walton Academy Inc. struggles with a 1-star rating, 89.4% chronic absenteeism, and a 56.7% graduation rate, highlighting wide disparities in educational quality within the same town.

Walton High School has seen a 38% increase in per-student spending over four years (from $10,286 to $14,222), while the student-teacher ratio dropped from 19.4 to 17.1, indicating the district is investing more resources to reduce class sizes. However, Algebra 1 EOC scores show significant volatility, dropping from 63% proficiency in 2022-2023 to 39% in 2024-2025 before rebounding to 67% in 2025-2026, which warrants attention. Other subjects like Geometry and Biology show more stable positive trends. Overall, Walton High School is a strong choice for families, especially those seeking a school with a proven track record of getting students to graduation despite challenges.

969

Students ?

17.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,222

Per pupil spending ?

63.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

449 Walton Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433

(850) 892-1270

District: Walton

Feeder schools for Walton High School:

Elementary:	Dune Lakes Elementary School
	Freeport Elementary School
	Maude Saunders Elementary School
	Mossy Head School
	More...
	Van R. Butler Elementary School
	West Defuniak Elementary School
Middle:	Emerald Coast Middle School
	Freeport Middle School
	Walton Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

65.6%

Hispanic:

19.2%

African American:

8.2%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Walton High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 71st percentile in 2016 → 75th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (70% vs 64% meeting standards)

✓100% graduate in 4 years — above the Florida average (92%)

✓Above the Florida median (75th percentile)

Worth a look

!Near the bottom of Walton's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school70%

District avg77%

Florida avg64%

213^th of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Top 25%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From top 29% (2016) to top 25% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 6High Schools in the Walton

10^th of 70Walton among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	60.9	213 of 838	74.6%	★★★★☆
2025	61.2	207 of 844	75.5%	★★★★☆
2024	55.4	248 of 807	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.2	206 of 792	74.0%	★★★★☆
2022	53.7	238 of 774	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.8	258 of 746	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	54.2	249 of 734	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.6	244 of 716	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	46.6	312 of 714	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2016	57.4	203 of 693	70.7%	★★★★☆
2014	65.9	172 of 687	75.0%	★★★★☆
2013	52.6	261 of 648	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	46.6	270 of 606	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2011	55.4	301 of 622	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2010	62.0	244 of 620	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2009	64.5	209 of 587	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2008	68.6	164 of 577	71.6%	★★★★☆
2007	65.1	182 of 563	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2006	51.1	243 of 477	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2005	61.3	200 of 487	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2004	60.1	198 of 484	59.1%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

US History81%+7 vs state

Biology 178%+4 vs state

Geometry72%+16 vs state

Algebra 167%+4 vs state

English Language Arts63%+3 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a student
Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Walton High school is the best high school I've ever been to!!! I love all the teachers and they help all of the students in any way that they can. The principal there is super sweet and is concerned with the safety of all of his "babies" as he calls them. He is very protective and does what he can to make high school the most memorable experience! The cheerleading coach there treats all of her students and cheerleaders like they are her own. Everyone loves Mrs. Zodrow so very much! 5 stars goes to the best school, and the best teacher, in the world! Close Quote

Schools Near Walton High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)					FAST Math (2026)			Statewide Science Science (2026)	EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Biology 1 (2026)	EOC US History (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Walton High School	Public	9-12	449 Walton Rd	Defuniak Springs	32433	Walton County	Walton	No	No	No	No	(850) 892-1270	969	56	17.1	63.3%	636 (65.6%)	79 (8.2%)	186 (19.2%)	6 (0.6%)	3 (0.3%)	5 (0.5%)	54 (5.6%)	60.9	213^th of 838 public high schools	74.6%		61.2	207^th of 844 public high schools	75.5%	6				63.0	63.0					67.0	72.0	78.0	81.0		$14,222	$322	$13,899
Emerald Coast Technical College	Public	9-12	761 N 20th St	Defuniak Springs	32433	Walton County	Walton	No	No	No	No	(850) 892-1240	0	8	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Walton County Jail Program	Public	6-12	145 S Park St	Defuniak Springs	32435	Walton County	Walton	No	No	No	No	(850) 892-1100	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Walton Academy Inc.	Public, Charter	5-12	389 Dorsey Ave	Defuniak Springs	32435	Walton County	Walton	Yes	No	No	Yes	(850) 892-3999	130	5	26.0	80.8%	79 (60.8%)	11 (8.5%)	34 (26.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.8%)	4.6	742^nd of 838 public high schools	11.5%		4.7	744^th of 844 public high schools	11.8%	2		0.0	20.0	21.0	13.0		0.0	18.0					23.0		$14,548	$1,377	$13,170
Ponce De Leon High School	Public	6-12	1477 Ammons Rd	Ponce De Leon	32455	Holmes County	Holmes	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 836-4242	298	19	15.5	65.1%	266 (89.3%)	4 (1.3%)	14 (4.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.4%)	52.6	306^th of 838 public high schools	63.5%		28.2	602^nd of 844 public high schools	28.7%	296	57.0	67.0	63.0	80.0	77.0	46.0	61.0	33.0	58.0	44.0	35.0	78.0	58.0	85.0	$10,757	$1,120	$9,637
Freeport Senior High School	Public	9-12	12615 Us Highway 331 S	Freeport	32439	Walton County	Walton	No	No	No	No	(850) 892-1200	677	42	16.1	39.3%	484 (71.5%)	16 (2.4%)	141 (20.8%)	9 (1.3%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	24 (3.5%)	73.4	114^th of 838 public high schools	86.4%		73	128^th of 844 public high schools	84.8%	14				68.0	72.0					63.0	81.0	98.0	89.0		$14,882	$317	$14,567

Frequently Asked Questions about Walton High School

What district is Walton High School in?

Walton

How many students attend Walton High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 969 students attended Walton High School.

Is Walton High School a good school?

Walton High School ranks 213^th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools feed into Walton High School?

Walton High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Dune Lakes Elementary School
Elementary : Freeport Elementary School
Elementary : Maude Saunders Elementary School
Elementary : Mossy Head School
Elementary : Van R. Butler Elementary School
Elementary : West Defuniak Elementary School
Middle : Emerald Coast Middle School
Middle : Freeport Middle School
Middle : Walton Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Walton High School?

Students at Walton High School are 66% White, 19% Hispanic, 8% African American, 6% Two or more races.

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Schools in Defuniak Springs, FL

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.