Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 32459

This analysis examines two public elementary schools in zip code 32459 (Santa Rosa Beach, FL), Dune Lakes Elementary School and Van R. Butler Elementary School, both serving grades K-5 within the high-performing Walton County School District, which ranks in the 86th percentile statewide.

Dune Lakes Elementary School is the standout school in this area, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 93rd percentile statewide for the 2025-2026 school year. It consistently outperforms Van R. Butler Elementary School across nearly every academic metric, particularly in 5th Grade Science, where it achieved an 83% proficiency rate compared to Van R. Butler's 70%. Dune Lakes also shows exceptional math scores, with 90% proficiency in 5th Grade Math for two consecutive years. While Van R. Butler Elementary School is a strong, solidly above-average school with a 4-star rating and 87th percentile ranking, it lags behind Dune Lakes in ELA and Science. Interestingly, Van R. Butler spends $1,184 more per student and has a slightly lower student-teacher ratio (13.8:1 vs. 14.5:1), yet Dune Lakes achieves higher test scores, suggesting more effective instructional strategies or curriculum focus.

Both schools serve a similar demographic with low poverty indicators (approximately 28% free/reduced lunch) and have chronic absenteeism rates well below the state average of 31.4%. Math is a universal strength for both schools, with all math scores above 80% in the 2025-2026 school year. The defining difference between the two is the science gap, where Dune Lakes' proficiency is 13-19 percentage points higher than Van R. Butler's. While Van R. Butler has been a stable, consistent performer ranking in the 87th-89th percentile for three years, Dune Lakes has shown strong upward momentum, jumping from the 88th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 95th percentile in 2024-2025, making it a school on the rise in this area.