Okaloosa

The Okaloosa school district in Florida comprises 49 schools, including 21 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 11 high schools, and 9 alternative schools, serving a diverse student population across the region. The district exhibits a mix of high-performing and lower-performing schools, with several standout institutions leading the way in academic excellence.

Among the top-performing schools in the district are Liza Jackson Preparatory School, a public charter elementary/middle school consistently ranked in the top 5-10% of Florida schools, and Okaloosa STEMM Center, a public middle school that is the highest-ranked school in the district and one of the best in the state. Additionally, Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College, a public charter high school, ranks in the top 2% of Florida high schools with a 100% graduation rate and outstanding test scores.

While the district boasts these high-performing schools, there are also concerns around equity and access, as some schools serving lower-income, more racially/ethnically diverse communities struggle with higher chronic absenteeism rates and lower academic outcomes compared to their more affluent counterparts. Addressing these disparities and ensuring all students in the Okaloosa school district have access to a high-quality education will be a key priority moving forward.