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!
Happy Presidents’ Day! 🇺🇸
Today, we celebrate the leaders who have shaped our nation and the values of democracy, leadership, and service. This is a great opportunity to reflect on the history of our country and inspire the next generation of leaders right here in our schools!
Whether you’re enjoying the day off or learning about our nation’s past, we hope everyone has a wonderful and meaningful Presidents’ Day!
Tesla, Rivian, Lucid....The Panther??!! In collaboration with Florida Power and Light, the students at the Magnet Innovation Center are building an electric vehicle to participate in Electrathon! Built from the ground up by students and MIC's plant manager Andrew Smith, this vehicle will run on 24v rechargeable batteries and be ready to hit the track next month! A REAL racetrack! The Electrathon is an endurance race - so the car that goes the farthest over the course of two hour-long races is declared the winner! Watchout for more from these EPIC students as they get ready to burn rubber at Five Flags Speedway!
February is CTE Month and the students at the Magnet Innovation are earning those certifications through hands-on activities! Check out these engineering students and the design students working on the Adobe certifications!
"C" is for Collaboration
Jackson County Superintendent Hunter Nolen visited Walton High School today to talk with Superintendent Hughes. While we don't give away the entire recipe to the Walton County Secret Sauce, we believe that EVERY child has a right to a world-class education, regardless of where they reside.
The Florida Department of Education is seeking parent and guardian input to enhance services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), please complete the following survey to help us improve our services. If you have more than one child with an IEP, please complete one survey for each child. The information gathered remains anonymous and will be used to inform support and resources for parents and students with IEPs. Results will be compiled at the district and school level.
Take the survey here: https://fldoepaads.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3PG600mhqGEGIjI
Mossy Head School is working hard each day to “Achieve the Goal” in academic success! Each year, they take a school-wide aerial photo that exemplifies the school theme. This photo represents the consistent teamwork and unity of achieving school goals and is nothing short of "EPIypmpiC”! Way to go MHS!
Superintendent Hughes dropped by the WISE Center to check and make sure each person is rowing just as hard as the other! Did you know The Walton Intensity School of Excellence (WISE) was the brainchild of Superintendent Hughes? Hughes had a mission to ensure students who might thrive in a less typical educational environment would have a place they could do exactly that - THRIVE!
Can you believe we are already getting ready for the 25-26 school year? If you have a little one that is ready to be EPIC, then make sure to get them enrolled! Kindergarten registration starts on March 3rd at ALL Walton County Elementary Schools! We'd like to get as many students registered as possible by March 14th!
Make sure you have everything you need!
✅ Official Birth Certificate (can be obtained at the Walton County Public Health unit or Walton County Tax Collector Offices.
✅ Current Physical Examination (before entering school)
✅ Current Immunizations (before entering school)
Early learning is vital to ensuring your student is prepared for Kindergarten! Please see the information below regarding Summer VPK and VPK for the 25-26 school year! You can find more information at: https://www.walton.k12.fl.us/page/voluntary-pre-k
