Summer time is quickly approaching, and if you have a student age 2nd through 8th grade, we have some amazing opportunities at our STEAM school - the Magnet Innovation Center! Check out the different offerings in the areas of theatre, engineering, science, and robotics! You can apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/sj5TBdeTnu
It can be easy to overlook those who work tirelessly in the background to ensure a smooth operation, but today we're saying a big thank you to those who work in our transportation department. Every bus and District vehicle you see in the county is maintained and serviced by a crew of dedicated individuals who put the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff as their first priority!
Scooby dropped by the District office today to meet with Superintendent Hughes about the importance of a great breakfast! We're celebrating National School Breakfast week. Scooby helped cook breakfast this morning but didn't have any Scooby snacks leftover! A great breakfast is paramount to learning and our Food Service department helps ensure our kids not only HAVE food, but have nutritious food that tastes delicious!
We hope everyone has had a wonderful time relaxing during spring break! Classes resume Monday, the 24th. Let's get back in the boat and row hard toward the goal!
It's SPRING BREAK! Enjoy the break from March 17th - March 21st! Be safe and ready to row harder than ever when classes resume on March 24th!
Elementary students from across the District got to play along with the Sinfonia Gulfcoast for the Carnegie LinkUp concert! They have been practicing their recorder parts all year to show off their ability to swing! Did YOU know the orchestra could swing? Academics are important, but the WCSD is committed to developing the whole child!
Reminder: today is an early release day! Spring Break is almost here!
Superintendent Hughes dropped by Emerald Coast Middle School this week to make sure everyone was still rowing hard toward to the goal - because there is no seat for average in Walton County!
The Florida Art Education Association celebrates Youth Art Month in March, so let's take a moment to recognize one of WCSD's stellar artists, Khloe Smith! Khloe was recently selected as a winner of the Drop Savers contest. Every year the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) sponsors the statewide "Drop Savers” Water Conservation Poster Contest. Students from kindergarten to 12th grade are encouraged to create a poster depicting a water conservation idea, in slogan form, drawing form, or both. The contest allows students to promote water awareness and the importance of water conservation in their daily routines. Khloe's division is sponsored by the South Walton Utility Company. Way to go Khloe!
The Florida Art Education Association celebrates Youth Art Month in March - so let's highlight WCSD's very own Khloe Smith for being selected as a winner of the Drop Savers contest. Every year the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) sponsors the statewide "Drop Savers” Water Conservation Poster Contest. Students from kindergarten to 12th grade are encouraged to create a poster depicting a water conservation idea, in slogan form, drawing form, or both. The contest allows students to promote water awareness and the importance of water conservation in their daily routines. Khloe's division is sponsored by the South Walton Utility Company. Way to go Khloe!
Maude Saunders Elementary is doing amazing work for our talented scholars! Everyday is full in the WCSD! Last week Superintendent Hughes dropped by while 1st Grade teachers were chopping wood at the PLC table flanked by Principal Neale, retired teacher Mrs. Infinger, and of course our friends and partners; Billy and Kathy from Food For Thought who were making sure kids have food over the weekend . It’s not easy on this boat, but we keep the oars in - rowing in the same direction- for The Goal! #Epilympic
When you're in Walter (Dobie) Miller's class, you're not sitting on the sidelines talking about welding, you're in the booth making it happen! Did we mention Dobie has been named Regional Instructor of the Year by the American Welding Society? Head over to www.ectc.edu and change your life today!
❗️BIG NEWS❗️
Walton County ranks #1 in education across the entire state of Florida according the Florida Policy Institute’s 2025 Child Well-Being Index.
The Florida Policy Institute (FPI) 2025 Child Well-Being Index recently ranked Walton County #1 in education. FPI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to providing accurate data which informs policy revision that improves the lives of all Floridians.
The Florida Policy Institute uses four criteria to assess standing:
• 3 & 4 year olds not enrolled in school
• 4th grade English Language Arts scores
• 8th grade math scores
• Graduation rate
FPI looks at the percentage of students who are not on grade level in English Language Arts and Mathematics according to FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) test scores and combines levels 1 and 2 for their calculations. Similarly, 4th grade English Language Arts test scores are analyzed to find how many students are not on grade level. We are In the Boat for the Goal in Walton County and understand that for one to cross the finish line all must cross the finish line. Eighth grade mathematics is calculated using the third Progress Monitoring interval, and graduation data is based on a cohort, which calculates the percentage of students who graduate within four years of their first full year of enrollment in the ninth grade.
This is the second year that Walton County has been ranked #1 by the Florida Policy Institute for its successes in education. Superintendent A. Russell Hughes reminds us that “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. Congratulations to all!”
Since 2017, the Walton County School District has seen unprecedented academic progressing rising to 3rd in the State of Florida from 35th regarding academic testing and increasing the graduation rate over 20%.
Career and Technical Education is a pathway near and dear to Superintendent Hughes' heart - no matter what the path, students should be as prepared and confident as possible to take that next step in life. Emerald Coast Technical College has numerous programs that get students into the workforce and ready to change their lives. Check out these cosmetology students getting hands-on experience! If you're looking to change your life, head over to www.ectc.edu and get more information!
Superintendent Hughes and our Facilities Director, Jill Smith dropped by the Walton County Building Department ribbon cutting. We are fortunate in Walton County that all areas support our children and the mission of a world-class education. Every permit and inspection runs through the county, and we're honored, thrilled, and thankful for such a positive working relationship.
The Whole Child is on display at South Walton High School! The Boys AND Girls soccer teams are headed to the state semi-finals on Tuesday! Put on a little green and support these young men and women who are EPIC on and off the field!
The Taylor Haugen Trophy was presented to Emery Hagan from Paxton School today at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast today held in the NWFSC arena. Ms. Hagan delivered an inspiring message to all in the room about the importance of being kind to one another. Way to go Emery for setting the example!
A priceless masterpiece has vanished - or has it? A treasured painting, handed over in broad daylight, comes back as a forgery! Theft? Fraud? Forgery? Is there more to the story? Students made their cases today at Mock Trial. These young people delivered with class, style, and tenacity!!
The final two boats were placed today! Paxton High and Dune Lakes Elementary received their boat and oars for the best test scores! Now the race is on to see who will get these boats after the 3rd nine weeks based on discipline and attendance!
If you were out and about in Walton County today, you may have seen some boats being shuffled around! Today, Walton Middle School received a boat for their academic performance in the 2nd 9 Weeks. Students and teachers came outside to be presented with the boats AND oars! Next stop - Bay School received their boat as well! Stay tuned to find out where the rest of the boats end up tomorrow!
