Almost There: Walton County School District 0.1% from #1 Graduation Rate
The Walton County School District Continues to Increase its Graduation Rate, Closing the Gap to Just 0.1% From the #1 Ranked District in Florida.
Walton County, Fla. — The results are in, and according to data recently released by the Florida Department of Education, the Walton County School District (WCSD) is proud to announce a 97.5% graduation rate for the 2024–2025 school year. This achievement places WCSD as the #2 ranked school district in Florida for graduation rate, trailing the top district statewide by just 0.1%.
This year’s results reflect WCSD’s districtwide theme of “Keeping the Charge through DC Power”—a focus on sustaining momentum, maintaining high expectations, and maintaining a steady, directed flow of effort that moves energy from negative to positive. This increase of .1% in graduation rate is a reflection of the commitment to keep the charge by finding every available opportunity to continue to improve and excel.
• South Walton High School (SWHS): 100% Graduation Rate
• Walton High School (WHS): 100% Graduation Rate
• Magnet Innovation Center (MIC): 100% Graduation Rate
• Freeport High School (FHS): 99% Graduation Rate
• Paxton School: 93% Graduation Rate
• WISE Center: 88% Graduation Rate
“These outcomes are the result of intentional work, strong relationships, and a shared commitment to student success,” said Superintendent A. Russell Hughes. “Keeping the Charge means not becoming complacent when things are going well, it means continuing to push forward, support students, and turn every negative into a positive. I am incredibly proud of our students, staff, school board, and community.”
The district’s graduation results also reflect the 2024–2025 theme, “In the Boat for the Goal,” which emphasized individual accountability within a shared effort. Staff and students pursued their goals with tenacity, understanding that missed responsibilities affect the entire group. Superintendent A. Russell Hughes set direction and pace, reinforcing that “there’s no seat for average in this boat.” That alignment translated into students completing graduation requirements and finishing the year in EPIC fashion.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Joshua Bledsoe
Public Information Officer
The Walton County School District Continues to Increase its Graduation Rate, Closing the Gap to Just 0.1% From the #1 Ranked District in Florida.
Walton County, Fla. — The results are in, and according to data recently released by the Florida Department of Education, the Walton County School District (WCSD) is proud to announce a 97.5% graduation rate for the 2024–2025 school year. This achievement places WCSD as the #2 ranked school district in Florida for graduation rate, trailing the top district statewide by just 0.1%.
This year’s results reflect WCSD’s districtwide theme of “Keeping the Charge through DC Power”—a focus on sustaining momentum, maintaining high expectations, and maintaining a steady, directed flow of effort that moves energy from negative to positive. This increase of .1% in graduation rate is a reflection of the commitment to keep the charge by finding every available opportunity to continue to improve and excel.
• South Walton High School (SWHS): 100% Graduation Rate
• Walton High School (WHS): 100% Graduation Rate
• Magnet Innovation Center (MIC): 100% Graduation Rate
• Freeport High School (FHS): 99% Graduation Rate
• Paxton School: 93% Graduation Rate
• WISE Center: 88% Graduation Rate
“These outcomes are the result of intentional work, strong relationships, and a shared commitment to student success,” said Superintendent A. Russell Hughes. “Keeping the Charge means not becoming complacent when things are going well, it means continuing to push forward, support students, and turn every negative into a positive. I am incredibly proud of our students, staff, school board, and community.”
The district’s graduation results also reflect the 2024–2025 theme, “In the Boat for the Goal,” which emphasized individual accountability within a shared effort. Staff and students pursued their goals with tenacity, understanding that missed responsibilities affect the entire group. Superintendent A. Russell Hughes set direction and pace, reinforcing that “there’s no seat for average in this boat.” That alignment translated into students completing graduation requirements and finishing the year in EPIC fashion.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Joshua Bledsoe
Public Information Officer
Congratulations to our Class of 2026 Senior Superlatives and Beauties & Beaus!
Freeport High School is a proud host of the annual Hilton Sandestin Beach Blowout Basketball Tournament. This event has been drawing teams from the southeast for 31 years! This is a great opportunity for families to gather on the Emerald Coast in the week between Christmas and New Years to watch some of the best high school basketball in the region. Typically, tickets are sold for one day or as a tournament pass. If you would like additional information about this tournament or to register your team, please email Coach Mike Myrick at MyrickM@walton.k12.fl.us or Coach Jason Burnham at BurnhamJ@walton.k12.fl.us or by calling 850-892-1200.
Congratulations to Lainey Pitts who has been selected as Freeport High Schools All Sports Association Spirit Award Winner for 2025! Lainey is a Freeport High School Senior who actively participates as a Manager for the Freeport High School Football Team, Vice President of the Class of 2026, Blue Wave Yearbook Editor and a 2026 Prom Committee Member.
Lainey would like thank Coach Shaun Arntz for allowing her to participate as a team manager for the past 3 years, effectively changing her future career choice and Principal Donna Simmons for creating a family environment for all students at FHS and encouraging her love for all things Freeport!
Lainey, life is great because you are a DAWG!
Congratulations to our own Julius Miles and Kaylee Worrell who both signed to play college sports on National Signing Day, December 3rd, 2025. Julius has signed to play football for the University of Louisville and Kaylee will play volleyball for Coastal Alabama University. Both are pictured with their families on signing day. Best wishes to both of you and of course, life is great because you are a dawg!
As we wrap up 1st semester, we have several important test dates coming up.
12/10-FAST Reading Retakes
12/12-Best Alg/Geo EOC Retakes
12/17-Term 2/Sem 1 Exams (Periods 1,3,5,7)
12/18-Term 2/Sem 1 Exams (Periods 2,4,6,8)
Students, please ensure that you are well-rested, have a healthy breakfast and arrive to school on time.
12/10-FAST Reading Retakes
12/12-Best Alg/Geo EOC Retakes
12/17-Term 2/Sem 1 Exams (Periods 1,3,5,7)
12/18-Term 2/Sem 1 Exams (Periods 2,4,6,8)
Students, please ensure that you are well-rested, have a healthy breakfast and arrive to school on time.
Congratulations to our Boys and Girls Cross Country Team as they head to Regionals in Jacksonville, Florida on November 13th-14th. This is an exciting time for our coaches and student athletes as it is only the 2nd time in school history that they have qualified for Regionals.
Best wishes from your school family to the following student athletes:
Virginia Castro
Kyra Garcia
Kinsley Goodson
Cheyenne Hetzler
Ella Ringstad
Keely Thomas
Emilly Wessman
Coen Dykes
Christian Efodiev
Ashton Howard
Will Ludwig
Tristan Noguerra
Thor Ringstad
Michael Summers
Ben Hansen
Daniel Efodiev
and Coaches: Tracy Proud and Jared Smallwood
Life is great because you are a DAWG!
Congratulations to junior, Carlee Adams, who has earned the FHS nomination for the Sunshine Star Scholar Program! This recognition celebrates outstanding academic achievement and dedication to excellence in STEM.
Life is Great, When You’re a Dog!
Life is Great, When You’re a Dog!
Congratulations to junior, Carlee Adams, who has earned the FHS nomination for the Sunshine Star Scholar Program! This recognition celebrates outstanding academic achievement and dedication to excellence in STEM.
Life is Great, When You’re a Dog!
Life is Great, When You’re a Dog!
Congratulations to Mrs. Anna Mayo, our 2025-2026 Freeport High School Teacher of the Year!
Mrs. Mayo graduated from UCF with a degree in Social Studies Education and earned a master’s in School Counseling from Mississippi State. She is in her fourth year of teaching, all at Freeport High School, where she has taught U.S. History and AP U.S. History. Before teaching, she worked in the athletic academic industry at UCF, Mississippi State, and most recently at the University of Maryland where she was an athletic academic counselor and learning specialist. Outside the classroom, she sponsors the Anchor Club and assists with girls’ weightlifting and flag football. Last year, 91% of her students passed the Florida U.S. History EOC. Mrs. Mayo is proud to be a Freeport Bulldog and work alongside the best staff of Walton County!
Congratulations, Mrs. Mayo!
Mrs. Mayo graduated from UCF with a degree in Social Studies Education and earned a master’s in School Counseling from Mississippi State. She is in her fourth year of teaching, all at Freeport High School, where she has taught U.S. History and AP U.S. History. Before teaching, she worked in the athletic academic industry at UCF, Mississippi State, and most recently at the University of Maryland where she was an athletic academic counselor and learning specialist. Outside the classroom, she sponsors the Anchor Club and assists with girls’ weightlifting and flag football. Last year, 91% of her students passed the Florida U.S. History EOC. Mrs. Mayo is proud to be a Freeport Bulldog and work alongside the best staff of Walton County!
Congratulations, Mrs. Mayo!
It was a great night to be a DAWG on Halloween Night 2025! Freeport Football travelled to North Florida Christian School in Tallahassee and came home with a WIN in an exciting last quarter. If you would like to see an amazing video from the game, please visit the Freeport Touchdown Club Facebook Page. Go Dogs!
Congratulations to our own Miss Kayleigh Byrd who was crowned Miss Freeport by LaRae Smith prior to the National Peanut Festival Parade in Dothan, Alabama. Both of these ladies have been representing our community beautifully for many years while growing up in Freeport. We look forward to the remaining year as Kayleigh continues the great Miss Freeport tradition. Life is great because you are a dawg Kayleigh!
This Friday we are honored to welcome back Coach Jim Anderson as our Honorary Captain for the final home game in the very stadium he built.
Coach Anderson is the longest tenured football coach in Walton County history. For 16 seasons, he led the Bulldogs with unmatched dedication, shaping generations of players through his work ethic, integrity, and pride. His influence continues to live on in the foundation of our program and the spirit of both the Freeport community and Bulldog football.
Join us Friday night as we celebrate Coach Anderson and the lasting legacy he created at Freeport High School.
Life is great because you are a Dog, Coach.🧡💙
Coach Anderson is the longest tenured football coach in Walton County history. For 16 seasons, he led the Bulldogs with unmatched dedication, shaping generations of players through his work ethic, integrity, and pride. His influence continues to live on in the foundation of our program and the spirit of both the Freeport community and Bulldog football.
Join us Friday night as we celebrate Coach Anderson and the lasting legacy he created at Freeport High School.
Life is great because you are a Dog, Coach.🧡💙
Congratulations to Freeport's own Larae Smith for winning the title of Miss National Peanut Festival 2025 in Dothan, Alabama this past weekend. Larae is a member of the Freeport High School Class of 2026 and the daughter of Nathan and Jennifer Smith. In addition to her current title, Larae was previously crowned Miss Freeport, is a Freeport High School Cheerleader and serves as Senior Class President. We wish her a wonderful year as she serves her community and region.
Our next Early Release Day for students will be Friday, October 31st. Students will be dismissed to busses/cars at 12:20 PM, following lunch. If your child plans to check out at the end of 7th period, they must turn their note in to Mrs, Martin by 9:00 am for verification purposes. Please see the attached image for class times on this date. Have a safe and happy weekend.
Calling ALL Freeport Bulldogs! Our Lady Bulldogs Volleyball Team will begin the first round of the district tournament TONIGHT at 5:00 pm right here at FHS v. Rutherford High School! Ticket prices are set by FHSAA and are $8.00 per person. As always, you may purchase your tickets in advance on the GOFAN app or at GOFAN.co! Credit/debit cards will be accepted at the door. Please come out and support these amazing young women and their coaches as they advance on their already great season!
Bulldog fans it is that time again! THE Freeport Bulldogs will take on the Seahawks of South Walton High School on Friday, October 10th at 7:00 pm at South Walton HS. WE NEED YOU to show up and support our Dawgs!! This is an important district game for our team and we need you there and we need you to be LOUD and PROUD.
Calling all future FHS Cheerleaders in grades PK-5th, join us for our annual Mini Bulldog Cheer Camp! Please read the flyer for information. For additional questions, please contact Breanna Keeney or Breanna Erwin at 850-892-1200.
Freeport High School will host our Annual College Fair on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Juniors and Seniors will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from colleges and universities all over the United States. We encourage all Juniors and Seniors to attend this event. Parents that would like to attend, you will need to bring a state issued photo ID. For questions, please contact the school at 850-892-1200.
Freeport High School will celebrate homecoming week September 8th-12th! Please continue for more information.
Dress Up/Theme Days
Monday-Krewe de Port Day (Color Wars)
9th-Green
10th-Black
11th-Gold
12th-Purple
Tuesday, The King's Court (Royalty Day)
Dress as any member of the royal court (king, queen, prince, princess, jester)
Wednesday, In Memoriam (In honor of Michael Miller)
Dress as an M&M
Thursday, Tacky Float Day
Bling it out! Beads, Mardi Gras Colors, Feathers, Sequins, Flashy, but no masks on the face will be allowed.
Friday, Spirit Day
Wear you class shirt, and all that blue and orange spirit, it's HOMECOMING DAY!
Pep Rally, Early Release & Parade
Friday, September 12th
The Pep Rally will be held at the end of the day on Friday, parents that plan to attend, will need to check in through the front office with your photo ID. We encourage you to arrive 30 minutes prior for check in. Pep Rally time will be released closer to homecoming week.
Early Release for all Freeport area schools, FHS release time is 12:20 PM
The parade will begin at approximately 1:30 pm
Homecoming Game
Homecoming Game Time is 7:00 PM and tickets may be purchased in advance on the GOFAN app or at GOFAN.co
Dance
Saturday, September 13th, Homecoming Dance 7:00 pm-10:00 pm, this is a semi-formal (semi formal dresses, no more than 5" above the knee, strapless not allowed, dress shoes, pants and dress shirts, no shorts, jeans, tennis shoes or flip flops allowed) dance for FHS students in grades 9-12. If you would like to bring a date that is not an FHS student, permission forms are available in the office and due no later than September 5th. Late forms will not be accepted. SGA will make an announcement regarding ticket sale dates and pricing.
Please come out and support our Bulldogs!
Dress Up/Theme Days
Monday-Krewe de Port Day (Color Wars)
9th-Green
10th-Black
11th-Gold
12th-Purple
Tuesday, The King's Court (Royalty Day)
Dress as any member of the royal court (king, queen, prince, princess, jester)
Wednesday, In Memoriam (In honor of Michael Miller)
Dress as an M&M
Thursday, Tacky Float Day
Bling it out! Beads, Mardi Gras Colors, Feathers, Sequins, Flashy, but no masks on the face will be allowed.
Friday, Spirit Day
Wear you class shirt, and all that blue and orange spirit, it's HOMECOMING DAY!
Pep Rally, Early Release & Parade
Friday, September 12th
The Pep Rally will be held at the end of the day on Friday, parents that plan to attend, will need to check in through the front office with your photo ID. We encourage you to arrive 30 minutes prior for check in. Pep Rally time will be released closer to homecoming week.
Early Release for all Freeport area schools, FHS release time is 12:20 PM
The parade will begin at approximately 1:30 pm
Homecoming Game
Homecoming Game Time is 7:00 PM and tickets may be purchased in advance on the GOFAN app or at GOFAN.co
Dance
Saturday, September 13th, Homecoming Dance 7:00 pm-10:00 pm, this is a semi-formal (semi formal dresses, no more than 5" above the knee, strapless not allowed, dress shoes, pants and dress shirts, no shorts, jeans, tennis shoes or flip flops allowed) dance for FHS students in grades 9-12. If you would like to bring a date that is not an FHS student, permission forms are available in the office and due no later than September 5th. Late forms will not be accepted. SGA will make an announcement regarding ticket sale dates and pricing.
Please come out and support our Bulldogs!
