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Walton Middle School

Summary:

Walton Middle School is a public middle school located in Defuniak Springs, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 801 students. The school is part of the Walton School District, which is ranked 16th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Walton Middle School consistently outperforms the state average in various standardized tests, including EOC (End-of-Course) exams, Statewide Science, and FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) assessments. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Walton Middle School had 80% proficiency in EOC Algebra 1, compared to the state average of 55%, and 95% proficiency in EOC Geometry, compared to the state average of 53%. However, the school has experienced a higher rate of chronic absenteeism compared to the state average, with rates ranging from 20.8% to 29.4% in recent years. Additionally, Walton Middle School has a significantly higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 68.32% to 75.41% in recent years, indicating a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students.

Interestingly, a nearby school within the same district, Freeport Middle School, has similar demographic characteristics and test score performance, but with a lower chronic absenteeism rate (24.0% in 2022-2023) and a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (49.43% in 2022-2023). Walton Middle School's higher spending per student and lower student-teacher ratio (15.1 in 2022-2023) compared to the state average suggest a focus on providing more resources and smaller class sizes, which may contribute to the school's academic performance.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 605 Bruce Ave
       Defuniak Springs, FL  32435

(850) 892-1281

District: Walton

SchoolDigger Rank:
409th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,400 Help


Students who attend Walton Middle School usually attend:

High:    Freeport Senior High School
    South Walton High School
    Walton High School
    Walton Virtual Franchise

Feeder schools for Walton Middle School:

Elementary:    Dune Lakes Elementary School
    Freeport Elementary School
    Maude Saunders Elementary School
    Mossy Head School
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  14.6 Help
Number of students:  775

Racial breakdown:

White:
64.6%
Hispanic:
19.7%
Two or more races:
8.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  76.1% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Walton Middle School ranks better than 65.8% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks last among 3 ranked middle schools in the Walton School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 62.74. (See more...)
Help
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 (64.6%), Hispanic (19.7%), two or more races (8.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 76.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Walton School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Walton Middle School is 14.6, which is the lowest among 3 middle schools in the Walton School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Walton Middle School employs 53 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Walton Middle School is $13,400, which is the highest among 3 middle schools in the Walton School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Walton Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Walton Middle School 409th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Walton Middle School in the ranking list.)

Walton:

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


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Rank History for Walton Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 51.55 310th 593 47.7%
2005 58.46 265th 602 56.0%
2006 60.38 265th 675 60.7%
2007 59.60 309th 736 58.0%
2008 54.86 364th 740 50.8%
2009 53.10 398th 780 49.0%
2010 52.92 428th 839 49.0%
2011 58.81 395th 891 55.7%
2012 53.37 430th 897 52.1%
2013 47.52 518th 956 45.8%
2014 51.70 483rd 999 51.7%
2016 50.54 491st 997 50.8%
2017 50.15 508th 1031 50.7%
2018 53.09 472nd 1035 54.4%
2019 54.32 496th 1099 54.9%
2021 53.91 499th 1136 56.1%
2022 52.58 512th 1148 55.4%
2023 62.57 404th 1177 65.7%
2024 62.74 409th 1196 65.8%
See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

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

Walton Middle 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 Walton Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 493 83 5 4 3 n/a n/a 0 588
1989 527 98 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 630
1990 527 117 4 0 2 n/a n/a 0 650
1991 532 130 12 3 2 n/a n/a 0 679
1992 544 145 13 1 2 n/a n/a 0 705
1993 566 128 6 4 1 n/a n/a 0 705
1994 550 138 3 5 3 n/a n/a 0 699
1995 500 121 6 7 3 n/a n/a 0 637
1996 500 121 6 7 3 n/a n/a 0 637
1997 542 106 8 11 1 n/a n/a 0 668
1998 571 105 6 12 1 n/a n/a 0 695
1999 586 114 5 16 0 n/a n/a 0 721
2000 578 114 6 13 1 n/a n/a 0 712
2001 578 102 5 12 0 n/a n/a 0 697
2002 548 121 2 18 2 n/a n/a 0 691
2003 548 121 2 18 2 n/a n/a 0 691
2004 571 116 4 21 4 n/a n/a 0 716
2005 552 113 2 29 5 n/a n/a 0 701
2006 530 95 4 28 4 n/a n/a 0 661
2007 519 98 2 29 6 n/a n/a 9 663
2008 526 93 3 34 5 n/a n/a 13 674
2009 535 102 3 31 7 n/a n/a 12 690
2010 505 89 4 15 4 n/a n/a 17 634
2011 484 86 6 37 1 0 37 0 651
2012 461 93 5 39 0 0 44 0 642
2013 480 98 4 56 0 0 45 0 683
2014 472 99 3 64 0 0 44 0 682
2015 454 100 4 66 2 0 37 0 663
2016 437 94 5 59 1 0 35 0 631
2017 417 90 4 82 1 0 36 0 630
2018 428 88 3 99 0 0 35 0 653
2019 453 75 4 115 0 0 35 0 682
2020 550 67 4 126 1 1 40 0 789
2021 503 68 4 122 1 3 47 0 748
2022 523 72 4 149 2 2 53 0 805
2023 526 64 4 149 2 3 53 0 801
2024 501 53 4 153 0 1 63 0 775

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 Walton Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 588 36.0 16.3 43.4
1989 630 41.0 15.3 51.9
1990 650 42.0 15.4 48.8
1991 679 43.0 15.7 48
1992 705 44.0 16.0 38
1993 705 45.0 15.7 45.2
1994 699 44.0 15.9 45.5
1995 637 44.0 14.5 48
1996 637 44.0 14.5 48
1997 668 44.0 15.2 49.7
1998 695 46.0 15.1 42.4
1999 721 45.0 16.0 60.7
2000 712 45.0 15.8 65
2001 697 45.0 15.5 62.8
2002 691 39.0 17.7 64.8
2003 691 39.0 17.7 64.8
2004 716 40.0 17.9 61.3
2005 701 44.0 15.9 66.5
2006 661 46.0 14.4 55.8
2007 663 42.0 15.8 56.7
2008 674 48.0 14.0 63.4
2009 690 53.6 14.5 65.2
2010 634 47.0 13.4 68.9
2011 651 43.0 15.1 71.1
2012 642 47.0 13.6 73.5
2013 683 49.0 13.9 61.8
2014 682 48.0 14.2 71
2015 663 43.0 15.4 74.7
2016 631 46.0 13.7 74.3
2017 630 46.0 13.6 74.8
2018 653 46.0 14.1 74.1
2019 682 44.0 15.5 72
2020 789 46.0 17.1 73.4
2021 748 48.0 15.5 70.9
2022 805 47.0 17.1 68.3
2023 801 53.0 15.1 75.4
2024 775 53.0 14.6 76.1

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 Walton Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 588 36.0 16.3 43.4
1989 630 41.0 15.3 51.9
1990 650 42.0 15.4 48.8
1991 679 43.0 15.7 48
1992 705 44.0 16.0 38
1993 705 45.0 15.7 45.2
1994 699 44.0 15.9 45.5
1995 637 44.0 14.5 48
1996 637 44.0 14.5 48
1997 668 44.0 15.2 49.7
1998 695 46.0 15.1 42.4
1999 721 45.0 16.0 60.7
2000 712 45.0 15.8 65
2001 697 45.0 15.5 62.8
2002 691 39.0 17.7 64.8
2003 691 39.0 17.7 64.8
2004 716 40.0 17.9 61.3
2005 701 44.0 15.9 66.5
2006 661 46.0 14.4 55.8
2007 663 42.0 15.8 56.7
2008 674 48.0 14.0 63.4
2009 690 53.6 14.5 65.2
2010 634 47.0 13.4 68.9
2011 651 43.0 15.1 71.1
2012 642 47.0 13.6 73.5
2013 683 49.0 13.9 61.8
2014 682 48.0 14.2 71
2015 663 43.0 15.4 74.7
2016 631 46.0 13.7 74.3
2017 630 46.0 13.6 74.8
2018 653 46.0 14.1 74.1
2019 682 44.0 15.5 72
2020 789 46.0 17.1 73.4
2021 748 48.0 15.5 70.9
2022 805 47.0 17.1 68.3
2023 801 53.0 15.1 75.4
2024 775 53.0 14.6 76.1

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 Walton Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $870 (9.1%) $8,641 (90.9%) $9,511
2019 $869 (9.0%) $8,755 (91.0%) $9,624
2020 $885 (9.8%) $8,143 (90.2%) $9,027
2021 $1,107 (11.4%) $8,608 (88.6%) $9,716
2022 $1,537 (14.4%) $9,170 (85.6%) $10,707
2023 $2,335 (17.4%) $11,065 (82.6%) $13,400

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Walton Middle 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 496th of 1099 Middle schoolsRanks 404th of 1177 Middle schools
 10.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Walton Middle School)4050
 10%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Walton)5558
 3%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5452
 2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Walton Middle School)5358
 5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Walton)6065
 5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5549
 6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Walton Middle School)5444
 10%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Walton)6454
 10%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5248
 4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Walton Middle School)6136
 25%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Walton)6256
 6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5446
 8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Walton Middle School)5749
 8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Walton)6055
 5%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5649
 7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Walton Middle School)6743
 24%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Walton)6358
 5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)4642
 4%
8th Grade Science (Walton Middle School)5751
 6%
   8th Grade Science (Walton)5861
 3%
   8th Grade Science (Florida)4844
 4%
End of Course Civics (Walton Middle School)8281
 1%
   End of Course Civics (Walton)8274
 8%
   End of Course Civics (Florida)7166
 5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Walton Middle School)9387
 6%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Walton)7273
 1%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)6254
 8%
End of Course Geometry (Walton Middle School)9595
   End of Course Geometry (Walton)7369
 4%
   End of Course Geometry (Florida)5750
 7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students682801
 17.4%
African American7564
 14.7%
American Indian02
Asian44
Hispanic115149
 29.6%
Pacific Islander03
White453526
 16.1%
Two or More Races3553
 51.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients72%75.4%
 3.4%

Schools Near Walton Middle School








Frequently Asked Questions about Walton Middle School

Walton Middle School ranks 409th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Walton Middle School usually go on to attend Freeport Senior High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 775 students attended Walton Middle School.

Students at Walton Middle School are 65% White, 20% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 7% African American.


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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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