When it comes to educational excellence, Walton County is setting the gold standard. For the second year in a row, the Walton County School District has claimed the top spot in education across the state, as recognized by the Florida Policy Institute’s (FPI) 2025 Child Well-Being Index.
This impressive achievement is based on four key factors: preschool enrollment, fourth-grade English Language Arts test scores, eighth-grade math scores, and high school graduation rates. Walton County’s continued success reflects years of dedication and hard work by students, teachers, staff, and district leadership.
Superintendent A. Russell Hughes highlighted this team effort:
“Accolades are always wonderful, but it is important to look further to see the students, teachers, staff, and administrators who work tirelessly to create the conditions that lead to these wonderful accolades. We are fortunate to have the best students in the country here in Walton County and a school board to match.”
A Rapid Climb to the Top
The district’s rise in academic rankings is remarkable. Since 2017, Walton County has soared from 35th to 3rd in the state for academic testing. Even more impressive, the high school graduation rate has increased by over 20 percentage points in the same timeframe.
A Closer Look at the Rankings
The Florida Policy Institute’s Child Well-Being Index is a comprehensive, data-driven evaluation of all 67 counties in Florida. The education ranking is based on:
- Preschool enrollment rates
- Standardized test scores in English Language Arts and math
- Graduation rates (students who complete high school within four years)
The index provides a fair comparison across counties by adjusting for population size and ranking counties from 1 (best) to 67 (worst). Walton County’s consistent performance in education has once again earned it top honors.
A Bright Future for Walton County Students
Walton County schools continue to thrive thanks to dedicated educators, engaged students, and strong community support. This recognition from the Florida Policy Institute is more than just a ranking—it’s a testament to the district’s commitment to academic excellence and student success.