Destin Elementary School

Q: Is Destin Elementary School a good school?

Destin Elementary School ranks 372 nd of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Destin Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 976 students in grades PK-4 in Destin, Florida, which is part of the highly-ranked Okaloosa School District. This school consistently outperforms the district and state averages in academic achievement, ranking in the top 20% of Florida elementary schools.

Destin Elementary's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 72% of 4th graders proficient or better in FAST/English Language Arts, compared to 61% in Okaloosa and 53% statewide. In FAST/Math, an impressive 83% of 4th graders were proficient or better, far exceeding the 67% in Okaloosa and 58% statewide. This strong academic performance is reflected in Destin Elementary's 4-star rating from SchoolDigger and its ranking as the 372nd best elementary school out of 2,256 in Florida. While the school has seen a rise in chronic absenteeism, it still performs better than the state average.

Compared to nearby schools, Destin Elementary stands out. Its 4th-grade FAST/Math proficiency rate of 83% is significantly higher than the 73% at Lula J. Edge Elementary, the 38% at Wright Elementary, and the 78% at Bluewater Elementary. Additionally, Destin Elementary maintains a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 16.5, which may contribute to its academic success, despite spending less per student than some nearby schools.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-4

630 Kelly St
Destin, FL 32541

(850) 833-4360

District: Okaloosa

SchoolDigger Rank:
372^nd of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,248

Students who attend Destin Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Destin Middle School
High:	Fort Walton Beach High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.8

Number of students: 933

Racial breakdown:

White:

66.1%

Hispanic:

16.4%

Two or more races:

8.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 39.2%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Destin Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Destin Elementary School ranks better than 83.5% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 4^th among 20 ranked elementary schools in the Okaloosa School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 81.24. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (66.1%), Hispanic (16.4%), two or more races (8.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 39.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Destin Elementary School is 15.8, which is the 5^th best among 20 elementary schools in the Okaloosa School District. (See more...)

Compare Destin Elementary School employs 59 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Destin Elementary School is $9,248. 14 elementary schools in the Okaloosa School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Destin Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Okaloosa:

SchoolDigger ranks Okaloosa 12^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Destin Elementary School.

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Rank History for Destin Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	93.94	58^th	1688	96.6%
2007	90.30	99^th	1786	94.5%
2008	92.59	60^th	1789	96.6%
2009	88.84	125^th	1847	93.2%
2010	90.48	92^nd	1919	95.2%
2011	87.65	166^th	1985	91.6%
2012	74.68	468^th	1984	76.4%
2013	85.73	222^nd	2029	89.1%
2014	91.84	107^th	2064	94.8%
2016	91.20	132^nd	2087	93.7%
2017	86.24	239^th	2112	88.7%
2018	90.02	149^th	2118	93.0%
2019	88.72	192^nd	2182	91.2%
2021	87.56	252^nd	2247	88.8%
2022	80.12	412^th	2219	81.4%
2023	82.84	343^rd	2240	84.7%
2024	81.24	372^nd	2256	83.5%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Thursday, September 20, 2018

It is an absolutely amazing school !!!!
My daughter loves her teachers and the principle!!!
Thank you for everything. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Destin Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	680	3	1	8	1	n/a	n/a	0	693
1989	732	0	4	6	1	n/a	n/a	0	743
1990	657	4	3	5	1	n/a	n/a	0	670
1991	687	1	3	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	695
1992	720	0	3	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	728
1993	726	2	8	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	741
1994	762	3	8	6	1	n/a	n/a	0	780
1995	783	4	7	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	805
1996	783	4	7	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	805
1997	769	3	7	9	1	n/a	n/a	0	789
1998	758	4	6	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	779
1999	740	3	13	8	2	n/a	n/a	0	766
2000	720	6	9	12	3	n/a	n/a	0	750
2001	737	6	7	9	2	n/a	n/a	0	761
2002	746	6	5	18	3	n/a	n/a	0	778
2003	746	6	5	18	3	n/a	n/a	0	778
2004	805	4	16	20	3	n/a	n/a	0	848
2005	783	4	16	39	2	n/a	n/a	0	844
2006	797	7	18	45	1	n/a	n/a	0	868
2007	757	7	17	58	2	n/a	n/a	28	869
2008	752	7	25	59	1	n/a	n/a	29	873
2009	685	9	24	73	0	n/a	n/a	39	830
2010	715	9	22	56	1	n/a	n/a	58	861
2011	719	10	17	75	1	0	44	0	866
2012	734	15	13	81	1	1	44	0	889
2013	676	11	15	86	2	2	55	0	847
2014	658	12	13	70	1	1	56	0	811
2015	689	14	12	77	2	0	58	0	852
2016	691	16	18	67	3	1	70	0	866
2017	732	20	18	83	0	1	68	0	922
2018	726	22	24	91	3	1	50	0	917
2019	711	30	34	95	4	2	48	0	924
2020	713	38	40	99	5	2	64	0	961
2021	690	34	32	117	5	2	68	0	948
2022	670	38	30	132	5	2	63	0	940
2023	658	53	28	159	4	1	73	0	976
2024	617	56	27	153	2	0	78	0	933

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Destin Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	693	34.0	20.3	14.6
1989	743	38.0	19.5	10.1
1990	670	33.0	20.3	11.2
1991	695	33.0	21.0	11.8
1992	728	34.0	21.4	10.7
1993	741	35.0	21.2	10.5
1994	780	36.0	21.7	11.9
1995	805	38.0	21.2	8.1
1996	805	38.0	21.2	8.1
1997	789	39.0	20.2	8.6
1998	779	38.0	20.5	6.5
1999	766	39.0	19.6	11.4
2000	750	38.0	19.7	11.2
2001	761	38.0	20.0	8.7
2002	778	39.0	19.9	12.2
2003	778	39.0	19.9	12.2
2004	848	44.0	19.3	13.4
2005	844	54.0	15.6	14.8
2006	868	56.0	15.5	17.7
2007	869	56.0	15.5	15.2
2008	873	64.5	13.5	18
2009	830	60.5	13.8	20.6
2010	861	58.5	14.7	26.2
2011	866	54.8	15.8	29.1
2012	889	51.9	17.1	31.9
2013	847	51.0	16.6	31.8
2014	811	49.0	16.5	38.8
2015	852	52.0	16.3	40.6
2016	866	52.0	16.6	40.4
2017	922	53.0	17.3	40.7
2018	917	57.0	16.0	39.1
2019	924	54.0	17.1	42.2
2020	961	58.0	16.5	40.3
2021	948	59.0	16.0	42.9
2022	940	59.0	15.9	33.8
2023	976	59.0	16.5	40.9
2024	933	59.0	15.8	39.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Destin Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	693	34.0	20.3	14.6
1989	743	38.0	19.5	10.1
1990	670	33.0	20.3	11.2
1991	695	33.0	21.0	11.8
1992	728	34.0	21.4	10.7
1993	741	35.0	21.2	10.5
1994	780	36.0	21.7	11.9
1995	805	38.0	21.2	8.1
1996	805	38.0	21.2	8.1
1997	789	39.0	20.2	8.6
1998	779	38.0	20.5	6.5
1999	766	39.0	19.6	11.4
2000	750	38.0	19.7	11.2
2001	761	38.0	20.0	8.7
2002	778	39.0	19.9	12.2
2003	778	39.0	19.9	12.2
2004	848	44.0	19.3	13.4
2005	844	54.0	15.6	14.8
2006	868	56.0	15.5	17.7
2007	869	56.0	15.5	15.2
2008	873	64.5	13.5	18
2009	830	60.5	13.8	20.6
2010	861	58.5	14.7	26.2
2011	866	54.8	15.8	29.1
2012	889	51.9	17.1	31.9
2013	847	51.0	16.6	31.8
2014	811	49.0	16.5	38.8
2015	852	52.0	16.3	40.6
2016	866	52.0	16.6	40.4
2017	922	53.0	17.3	40.7
2018	917	57.0	16.0	39.1
2019	924	54.0	17.1	42.2
2020	961	58.0	16.5	40.3
2021	948	59.0	16.0	42.9
2022	940	59.0	15.9	33.8
2023	976	59.0	16.5	40.9
2024	933	59.0	15.8	39.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Destin Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$218 (2.8%)	$7,510 (97.2%)	$7,728
2019	$231 (3.0%)	$7,418 (97.0%)	$7,649
2020	$255 (3.3%)	$7,588 (96.7%)	$7,843
2021	$508 (6.1%)	$7,886 (93.9%)	$8,394
2022	$1,202 (12.9%)	$8,104 (87.1%)	$9,305
2023	$1,361 (14.7%)	$7,887 (85.3%)	$9,248

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Destin Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 192^nd of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 343^rd of 2240 Elementary schools	6.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Destin Elementary School)	76	67	9%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	66	58	8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Destin Elementary School)	81	73	8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa)	73	65	8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Destin Elementary School)	82	66	16%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	67	61	6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Destin Elementary School)	86	79	7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa)	74	65	9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	924	976	5.6%
African American	30	53	76.7%
American Indian	4	4
Asian	34	28	17.6%
Hispanic	95	159	67.4%
Pacific Islander	2	1	50%
White	711	658	7.5%
Two or More Races	48	73	52.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	42.2%	40.9%	1.3%

Schools Near Destin Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
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 (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Destin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	630 Kelly St	Destin	32541	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4360	933	59	15.8	39.2%	617 (66.1%)	56 (6.0%)	153 (16.4%)	27 (2.9%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	78 (8.4%)	81.2	372^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	83.5%		82.8	343^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	84.7%	29	62.0	72.0					72.0	83.0									$9,248	$1,361	$7,887
Eglin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	200 Gaffney Rd	Eglin Afb	32542	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4320	429	28	15.3	31.2%	186 (43.4%)	68 (15.9%)	101 (23.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	71 (16.6%)	77.5	464^th of 2256 public elementary schools	79.4%		82.7	347^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.5%	117	68.0	58.0					78.0	73.0									$10,724	$1,929	$8,794
Shalimar Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1350 Joe Martin Cir	Shalimar	32579	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4339	589	31	19.0	63.5%	321 (54.5%)	69 (11.7%)	121 (20.5%)	14 (2.4%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	60 (10.2%)	51.3	1066^th of 2256 public elementary schools	52.7%		47.3	1152^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	48.6%	86	60.0	48.0	55.0				73.0	50.0	55.0				42.0				$10,637	$2,576	$8,063
Addie R. Lewis School	Public	PK, KG-8	281 Mississippi Ave	Valparaiso	32580	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4130	677	46	14.7	43.4%	418 (61.7%)	71 (10.5%)	87 (12.9%)	12 (1.8%)	3 (0.4%)	4 (0.6%)	82 (12.1%)	70.4	631^st of 2256 public elementary schools	72.0%		67.1	685^th of 2240 public elementary schools	69.4%	54	44.0	66.0	77.0	67.0	56.0	68.0	45.0	64.0	80.0	57.0	76.0	69.0	77.0	72.0	95.0	73.0	$12,411	$1,954	$10,456
Elliott Point Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	301 Hughes St NE	Fort Walton Beach	32548	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3355	598	33	18.1	70.7%	274 (45.8%)	85 (14.2%)	149 (24.9%)	7 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	81 (13.5%)	42.5	1278^th of 2256 public elementary schools	43.4%		36.7	1426^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.3%	148	52.0	44.0	67.0				43.0	39.0	57.0				54.0				$11,216	$2,644	$8,573
Longwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	50 Holly Ave	Shalimar	32579	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4329	574	30	19.1	73.9%	164 (28.6%)	82 (14.3%)	253 (44.1%)	13 (2.3%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.5%)	57 (9.9%)	19.9	1903^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	15.6%		27	1680^th of 2240 public elementary schools	25.0%	223	26.0	33.0	47.0				29.0	41.0	53.0				36.0				$12,606	$2,797	$9,808
Bluewater Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4545 Range Rd	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4240	914	56	16.3	16.2%	739 (80.9%)	11 (1.2%)	108 (11.8%)	10 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	45 (4.9%)	90.2	174^th of 2256 public elementary schools	92.3%		93.6	75^th of 2240 public elementary schools	96.7%	99	81.0	75.0	73.0				88.0	78.0	76.0				74.0				$8,992	$1,241	$7,751
James E Plew Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	220 Pine Ave	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4100	820	48	17.0	24.3%	625 (76.2%)	17 (2.1%)	86 (10.5%)	13 (1.6%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	75 (9.1%)	89.5	196^th of 2256 public elementary schools	91.3%		91.2	138^th of 2240 public elementary schools	93.8%	58	77.0	73.0	78.0				74.0	87.0	78.0				73.0				$8,992	$1,290	$7,702
Kenwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	15 Eagle St NE	Fort Walton Beach	32547	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3570	525	35	15.0	59.4%	276 (52.6%)	62 (11.8%)	107 (20.4%)	12 (2.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	67 (12.8%)	59.9	866^th of 2256 public elementary schools	61.6%		61.9	797^th of 2240 public elementary schools	64.4%	69	61.0	67.0	51.0				64.0	72.0	55.0				44.0				$12,000	$2,575	$9,426
Lula J. Edge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	300 Highway 85 N	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4138	543	31	17.5	41.8%	388 (71.5%)	23 (4.2%)	49 (9.0%)	7 (1.3%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	73 (13.4%)	77	481^st of 2256 public elementary schools	78.7%		78.7	435^th of 2240 public elementary schools	80.6%	46	62.0	65.0	68.0				73.0	73.0	64.0				68.0				$10,551	$2,051	$8,499

Frequently Asked Questions about Destin Elementary School

Is Destin Elementary School a good school?

Destin Elementary School ranks 372^nd of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Destin Elementary School?

Students at Destin Elementary School are 66% White, 16% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 6% African American, 3% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Destin Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Destin Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Destin Middle School
High : Fort Walton Beach High School

How many students attend Destin Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 933 students attended Destin Elementary School.

What district is Destin Elementary School in?

Okaloosa

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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.