Public schools in Defuniak Springs, FL
9 open public schools with an address in Defuniak Springs, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
9
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
3,938
9 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
14.6:1
Florida median 16.8:1
Charter schools
1
0 virtual
An overview of Defuniak Springs public schools
The federal directory lists 9 public schools in Defuniak Springs, FL: 3 elementary, 1 middle, 4 high, 1 combined or other. The 9 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 3,938 students, an average of 438 per school. The largest campus is Walton High School (969 students), and the largest elementary school is West Defuniak Elementary School (704).
Every listed school belongs to Walton. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 14.6:1, lower than the statewide school median of 16.8:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 1 charter school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 3 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 1 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 0 of 4 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 74% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Defuniak Springs
Elementary schools in Defuniak Springs
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maude Saunders Elementary School Walton | KG–05 | 554 | 12.2:1 | |
| Mossy Head School Walton | PK–05 | 521 | 15:1 | |
| West Defuniak Elementary School Walton | KG–05 | 704 | 14.1:1 |
Middle schools in Defuniak Springs
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walton Middle School Walton | 06–08 | 796 | 15:1 |
High schools in Defuniak Springs
4| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Coast Technical College Walton · Career and Technical School | 09–12 | 0 | 0:1 | |
| Walton Academy Inc. Walton · Charter · Alternative School | 06–12 | 130 | 26:1 | |
| Walton County Jail Program Walton · Alternative School | 06–12 | 0 | — | |
| Walton High School Walton | 09–12 | 969 | 17.2:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Defuniak Springs
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walton Initiative for Success in Education (Wise) Walton · Alternative School | PK–12 | 264 | 9.8:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White62%
- Hispanic21.2%
- Black8.4%
- Asian0.5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.5%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial7.2%
Enrollment-weighted across 7 Defuniak Springs schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (3,938 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Defuniak Springs
How many public schools are in Defuniak Springs, FL?
The current NCES directory lists 9 open public schools with a location address in Defuniak Springs: 3 elementary, 1 middle, 4 high, 1 combined or other. Together they reported 3,938 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Defuniak Springs?
All listed public schools with an address in Defuniak Springs belong to Walton. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in Defuniak Springs?
Walton High School reported the largest high-school enrollment in Defuniak Springs, with 969 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Defuniak Springs?
Yes. 1 of the 9 public schools in Defuniak Springs are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Walton Academy Inc.. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Defuniak Springs schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Defuniak Springs public schools is 14.6:1, lower than the Florida school median of 16.8:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Defuniak Springs guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Florida cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Florida cities