👥 Who: Walton County School District; Superintendent A. Russell Hughes; Dr. Joshua Bledsoe
🏫 What: All three traditional high schools ranked among the nation’s top 20%
📅 When: Rankings released in October 2025, based on 2022–2023 data
📍 Where: Walton County, Florida
🎯 Why: Recognition reflects strong academic performance, college readiness, and a district-wide culture of excellence
All three traditional high schools in Walton County—South Walton High School, Freeport High School, and Walton High School—have been recognized among the top 20% of high schools nationwide in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best High Schools” rankings.
The U.S. News & World Report annual rankings evaluate more than 17,000 public high schools across the United States based on multiple indicators of student achievement and readiness for higher education. Each school’s score reflects performance across six weighted categories:
College Readiness (30%) – The proportion of 12th-grade students who took and passed at least one Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam.
College Curriculum Breadth (10%) – The percentage of students who took and passed multiple AP or IB exams, demonstrating exposure to a broad range of college-level coursework.
State Assessment Proficiency (20%) – Student performance on state-required reading, math, and science tests.
State Assessment Performance (20%) – How well students performed on state assessments compared to expectations, accounting for socioeconomic factors.
Underserved Student Performance (10%) – Outcomes for economically disadvantaged students compared to their non-disadvantaged peers statewide.
Graduation Rate (10%) – The percentage of students who graduate within four years.
The data used for the 2025 rankings primarily comes from the 2022–2023 school year, with graduation rates measured from the 2023 academic year.
Walton County School District Superintendent A. Russell Hughes said the recognition reflects the district’s unified approach to education and its emphasis on high expectations for all students.
“When every high school in our district ranks among the top 20% in the nation, it shows that excellence is not isolated—it’s systemic,” Hughes said. “Our teachers, administrators, school board, students, and families have responded to, and thrived in, a culture of high expectations and hard work that continues to yield EPIC results.”
Hughes’ use of the term “EPIC” refers to the district’s guiding values: Excellence, Professionalism, Innovation, and Collaboration, a framework the Walton County School District has used to drive consistent improvement in academic performance.
South Walton High School has consistently ranked as one of the top-performing schools in the Florida Panhandle, with strong Advanced Placement participation and graduation rates above the state average.
Freeport High School has seen steady growth in its college readiness indicators, with more students taking college-level coursework and earning industry certifications.
Walton High School, located in DeFuniak Springs, continues to show strong academic gains and has expanded its dual-enrollment opportunities with local colleges.
The recognition from U.S. News & World Report reinforces the district’s progress toward long-term goals outlined in its strategic plan, which emphasizes improving student outcomes, supporting teacher development, and increasing opportunities for all learners.
Only about one in five high schools across the nation achieved a ranking within the top 20% this year, making Walton County’s distinction particularly notable given its size and rural makeup. According to U.S. News & World Report, the rankings are designed to “shine a spotlight on schools that effectively serve all students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
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