The 2025–2026 school year is off to an EPIC start for the Walton County School District (WCSD). In just the first few weeks of school, the district has earned statewide and national accolades that reflect years of steady growth, innovation, and teamwork—all part of what Superintendent A. Russell Hughes calls “The Walton County Way.”
Walton County has once again proven that excellence is not isolated—it’s systemic. The district earned an “A” rating for the eighth consecutive year and tied for #2 among all 67 Florida counties, according to the Florida Department of Education. Walton is also one of only seven districts in the state with 100% A and B rated schools, improving in 11 of 12 student success measures and earning 73% of all available performance points.
“Our students, teachers, and community continue to rise to every challenge,” said Superintendent Hughes. “We innovate in the classroom and work together toward one mission—preparing every child for a life of success. EPIC is The Walton County Way.”
That success reaches all corners of the district. Earlier this fall, U.S. News & World Report recognized all three traditional high schools—South Walton High, Freeport High, and Walton High—among the top 20% of high schools nationwide. The ranking, based on college readiness, state assessments, graduation rates, and performance of underserved students, underscores how Walton County schools are preparing graduates to excel beyond the classroom.
The Florida Department of Education also honored five Walton County schools as “Schools of Excellence” for 2024–2025: Dune Lakes Elementary, Van R. Butler Elementary, Emerald Coast Middle, Freeport High, and South Walton High. In addition, the district itself earned the coveted Academically High-Performing District designation for maintaining high academic standards, sound financial management, and compliance with Florida’s class size laws.
“These recognitions speak to what we can accomplish when everyone is ‘In the Boat for the Goal,’ rowing in the same direction,” said Hughes. “From our students and teachers to our parents and community partners, everyone contributes to this culture of success.”
And the commitment to excellence begins early. Walton County’s dedication to literacy and early learning continues to shine—every public Pre-K program in the district received an “Excellent” rating, the highest available from the Florida Department of Education’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) accountability system. WCSD is one of only five districts statewide to earn this distinction across all sites, including Bay School, Freeport Learning Center, Paxton School, Mossy Head School, and the WISE Center.
“EPIC starts with our youngest learners,” said Hughes. “When we invest in world-class early education, we invest in the future of our community.”
Once ranked in the middle of Florida’s districts less than a decade ago, Walton County now stands among the top three districts in the state for academic performance, #2 for graduation rate, and #1 in Education according to the Florida Policy Institute. With the 2025
2026 school year themed ‘Keeping the Charge Through DC Power,’ Superintendent Hughes continues to inspire students and staff to turn every negative into a positive.
From preschool to high school, Walton County’s unified vision for excellence is paying off—and the charge is stronger than ever.
