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West Defuniak Elementary School

Summary:

West Defuniak Elementary School is a public K-5 school in Defuniak Springs, Florida, part of the Walton School District, which is ranked 16th out of 68 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

With 669 students, West Defuniak Elementary consistently outperforms the Walton district and the state of Florida in standardized test scores, including 69% of 5th graders proficient or better in Statewide Science compared to 62% for the district and 53% for the state. While the school has seen an increase in chronic absenteeism rates, reaching 17.6% in 2022-2023, it still performs better than nearby Freeport Elementary (30.0%) and Mossy Head School (31.5%). The school also has a more diverse student population, with 60.99% White, 9.57% African American, 21.52% Hispanic, and 6.73% two or more races.

West Defuniak Elementary's strong academic performance, diverse student body, and higher per-student spending than the state average suggest it is effectively supporting student learning and achievement. However, the school should continue to monitor and address chronic absenteeism, while collaborating with nearby schools like Ponce De Leon Elementary and Maude Saunders Elementary to share best practices and identify opportunities for improvement.


Detail:

Public K-5

 815 Lincoln Ave
       Defuniak Springs, FL  32435

(850) 892-1250

District: Walton

SchoolDigger Rank:
554th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,694 Help


Students who attend West Defuniak Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Emerald Coast Middle School
    Freeport Middle School
    Walton Middle School
High:    Freeport Senior High School
    South Walton High School
    Walton High School
    Walton Virtual Franchise

Student/teacher ratio:  14.8 Help
Number of students:  699

Racial breakdown:

White:
59.8%
Hispanic:
21.7%
African American:
9.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  70.7% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details West Defuniak Elementary School ranks better than 75.4% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 3rd among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Walton School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 73.78. (See more...)
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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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (59.8%), Hispanic (21.7%), African American (9.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 70.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at West Defuniak Elementary School is 14.8. 4 elementary schools in the Walton School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare West Defuniak Elementary School employs 47 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Defuniak Elementary School is $12,694, which is the 2nd highest among 6 elementary schools in the Walton School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Walton:

SchoolDigger ranks Walton 16th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for West Defuniak Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 58.37 722nd 1688 57.2%
2007 57.45 800th 1786 55.2%
2008 64.92 645th 1789 63.9%
2009 53.95 901st 1847 51.2%
2010 62.20 766th 1919 60.1%
2011 69.16 618th 1985 68.9%
2012 53.56 916th 1984 53.8%
2013 61.53 760th 2029 62.5%
2014 68.91 608th 2064 70.5%
2016 66.45 690th 2087 66.9%
2017 62.70 772nd 2112 63.4%
2018 63.51 747th 2118 64.7%
2019 61.74 802nd 2182 63.2%
2021 72.76 586th 2247 73.9%
2022 67.05 688th 2219 69.0%
2023 75.67 491st 2240 78.1%
2024 73.78 554th 2256 75.4%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

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

West Defuniak Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for West Defuniak Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 524 85 6 2 0 n/a n/a 0 617
1989 539 75 5 0 2 n/a n/a 0 621
1990 577 62 10 0 0 n/a n/a 0 649
1991 539 70 4 11 0 n/a n/a 0 624
1992 527 74 5 5 1 n/a n/a 0 612
1993 546 92 4 8 0 n/a n/a 0 650
1994 581 73 4 11 0 n/a n/a 0 669
1995 553 100 6 17 1 n/a n/a 0 677
1996 553 100 6 17 1 n/a n/a 0 677
1997 559 97 8 18 0 n/a n/a 0 682
1998 560 100 9 19 0 n/a n/a 0 688
1999 580 102 4 21 1 n/a n/a 0 708
2000 585 91 1 26 4 n/a n/a 0 707
2001 592 85 0 25 5 n/a n/a 0 707
2002 590 82 3 28 4 n/a n/a 0 707
2003 590 82 3 28 4 n/a n/a 0 707
2004 579 82 5 39 3 n/a n/a 0 708
2005 586 84 4 39 4 n/a n/a 0 717
2006 572 98 4 39 6 n/a n/a 0 719
2007 535 101 5 55 4 n/a n/a 37 737
2008 516 103 6 61 3 n/a n/a 47 736
2009 401 118 5 58 4 n/a n/a 46 632
2010 381 112 4 63 1 n/a n/a 45 606
2011 387 91 4 82 1 0 46 0 611
2012 397 99 5 89 1 0 41 0 632
2013 416 90 5 97 1 0 35 0 644
2014 431 83 4 107 1 0 25 0 651
2015 426 81 3 117 0 0 31 0 658
2016 445 79 4 109 0 0 32 0 669
2017 461 76 4 113 0 0 35 0 689
2018 424 71 4 112 0 0 38 0 649
2019 438 88 6 125 0 0 48 0 705
2020 459 90 5 134 0 0 41 0 729
2021 426 77 3 124 1 0 38 0 669
2022 415 72 3 159 1 0 45 0 695
2023 408 64 6 144 2 0 45 0 669
2024 418 67 3 152 2 1 56 0 699

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 West Defuniak Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 617 35.0 17.6 51.1
1989 621 36.0 17.2 52.3
1990 649 37.0 17.5 47.5
1991 624 36.0 17.3 48.1
1992 612 34.0 18.0 50.2
1993 650 37.0 17.6 53.4
1994 669 37.0 18.1 56.5
1995 677 37.0 18.3 58.9
1996 677 37.0 18.3 58.9
1997 682 37.0 18.4 52.5
1998 688 38.0 18.1 0.6
1999 708 37.0 19.1 66.4
2000 707 38.0 18.6 61.1
2001 707 39.0 18.1 59.4
2002 707 41.0 17.2 62.5
2003 707 41.0 17.2 62.5
2004 708 44.0 16.1 65.8
2005 717 43.0 16.7 68.9
2006 719 47.0 15.3 62.7
2007 737 48.0 15.4 63
2008 736 47.0 15.7 68.8
2009 632 51.9 13.7 73.5
2010 606 44.0 13.7 73.8
2011 611 40.6 15.0 68.2
2012 632 41.6 15.1 73.6
2013 644 42.0 15.3 71.3
2014 651 43.0 15.1 72.7
2015 658 41.0 16.0 72.2
2016 669 41.0 16.3 71.9
2017 689 43.0 16.0 70.1
2018 649 43.0 15.0 69.2
2019 705 42.0 16.7 69.9
2020 729 44.0 16.5 68
2021 669 46.0 14.5 64.6
2022 695 46.0 15.1 64.6
2023 669 48.0 13.9 68.8
2024 699 47.0 14.8 70.7

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 West Defuniak Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 617 35.0 17.6 51.1
1989 621 36.0 17.2 52.3
1990 649 37.0 17.5 47.5
1991 624 36.0 17.3 48.1
1992 612 34.0 18.0 50.2
1993 650 37.0 17.6 53.4
1994 669 37.0 18.1 56.5
1995 677 37.0 18.3 58.9
1996 677 37.0 18.3 58.9
1997 682 37.0 18.4 52.5
1998 688 38.0 18.1 0.6
1999 708 37.0 19.1 66.4
2000 707 38.0 18.6 61.1
2001 707 39.0 18.1 59.4
2002 707 41.0 17.2 62.5
2003 707 41.0 17.2 62.5
2004 708 44.0 16.1 65.8
2005 717 43.0 16.7 68.9
2006 719 47.0 15.3 62.7
2007 737 48.0 15.4 63
2008 736 47.0 15.7 68.8
2009 632 51.9 13.7 73.5
2010 606 44.0 13.7 73.8
2011 611 40.6 15.0 68.2
2012 632 41.6 15.1 73.6
2013 644 42.0 15.3 71.3
2014 651 43.0 15.1 72.7
2015 658 41.0 16.0 72.2
2016 669 41.0 16.3 71.9
2017 689 43.0 16.0 70.1
2018 649 43.0 15.0 69.2
2019 705 42.0 16.7 69.9
2020 729 44.0 16.5 68
2021 669 46.0 14.5 64.6
2022 695 46.0 15.1 64.6
2023 669 48.0 13.9 68.8
2024 699 47.0 14.8 70.7

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 West Defuniak Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $939 (11.0%) $7,564 (89.0%) $8,503
2019 $840 (10.0%) $7,572 (90.0%) $8,413
2020 $931 (10.7%) $7,798 (89.3%) $8,729
2021 $1,100 (11.5%) $8,497 (88.5%) $9,598
2022 $1,562 (15.0%) $8,860 (85.0%) $10,422
2023 $2,137 (16.8%) $10,558 (83.2%) $12,694

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on West Defuniak 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 802nd of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 491st of 2240 Elementary schools
 14.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (West Defuniak Elementary School)5357
 4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Walton)6660
 6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (West Defuniak Elementary School)7261
 11%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Walton)6568
 3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (West Defuniak Elementary School)6561
 4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Walton)6466
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (West Defuniak Elementary School)6772
 5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Walton)6572
 7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (West Defuniak Elementary School)5556
 1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Walton)6465
 1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (West Defuniak Elementary School)6267
 5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Walton)5566
 11%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (West Defuniak Elementary School)6373
 10%
   5th Grade Science (Walton)6167
 6%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students705669
 5.1%
African American8864
 27.3%
American Indian02
Asian66
Hispanic125144
 15.2%
Pacific Islander00
White438408
 6.8%
Two or More Races4845
 6.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients69.9%68.8%
 1.2%

Schools Near West Defuniak Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about West Defuniak Elementary School

Students at West Defuniak Elementary School are 60% White, 22% Hispanic, 10% African American, 8% Two or more races.

Students who attend West Defuniak Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Emerald Coast Middle School
Middle : Freeport Middle School
Middle : Walton Middle School
High : Freeport Senior High School
High : South Walton High School
High : Walton High School
High : Walton Virtual Franchise

In the 2023-24 school year, 699 students attended West Defuniak Elementary School.

West Defuniak Elementary School ranks 554th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.


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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.




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