Bluewater Elementary School

Summary:

Bluewater Elementary School is a high-performing public elementary school in Niceville, Florida, serving 930 students in grades PK-5. As part of the Okaloosa School District, which is ranked 12th out of 68 districts in the state, Bluewater Elementary has consistently maintained a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, placing it among the top elementary schools in Florida.

Bluewater Elementary's standout features include its exceptional academic performance, with students consistently outperforming the district and state averages on standardized tests. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 81% of Bluewater's 3rd-grade students scored proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 59% for the Okaloosa district and 55% for the state. Additionally, the school has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (7.6%) compared to nearby schools like Kenwood Elementary (22.4%), Elliott Point Elementary (31.8%), and Shalimar Elementary (26.0%), suggesting effective strategies to promote student attendance and engagement.

While Bluewater Elementary spends more per student ($8,992 in 2022-2023) than the state average, it is still less than some of the nearby schools, such as Kenwood Elementary ($12,000) and Elliott Point Elementary ($11,216), indicating that the school is able to achieve its high academic performance with relatively efficient resource allocation. However, the school's relatively homogeneous racial composition, with 80.54% of students identifying as White, may be an area for the school to explore in terms of fostering a more inclusive and representative learning environment.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

4545 Range Rd
Niceville, FL 32578

(850) 833-4240

District: Okaloosa

SchoolDigger Rank:
174^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,992

Students who attend Bluewater Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	C. W. Ruckel Middle School
High:	Niceville Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.6

Number of students: 930

Racial breakdown:

White:

80.5%

Hispanic:

11.8%

Two or more races:

4.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 15.7%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Bluewater Elementary School ranks better than 92.3% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks first among 20 ranked elementary schools in the Okaloosa School District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 90.23. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (80.5%), Hispanic (11.8%), two or more races (4.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 15.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Okaloosa School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bluewater Elementary School is 16.6. 12 elementary schools in the Okaloosa School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Bluewater Elementary School employs 56 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bluewater Elementary School is $8,992. 16 elementary schools in the Okaloosa School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Bluewater Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Okaloosa:

SchoolDigger ranks Okaloosa 12^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Bluewater Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	96.26	18^th	1688	98.9%
2007	95.45	14^th	1786	99.2%
2008	95.92	14^th	1789	99.2%
2009	95.53	12^th	1847	99.4%
2010	92.95	49^th	1919	97.4%
2011	92.13	62^nd	1985	96.9%
2012	95.99	25^th	1984	98.7%
2013	94.75	43^rd	2029	97.9%
2014	93.40	66^th	2064	96.8%
2016	95.90	37^th	2087	98.2%
2017	95.33	33^rd	2112	98.4%
2018	94.38	50^th	2118	97.6%
2019	94.19	45^th	2182	97.9%
2021	95.39	47^th	2247	97.9%
2022	93.09	91^st	2219	95.9%
2023	93.64	75^th	2240	96.7%
2024	90.23	174^th	2256	92.3%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Bluewater Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1991	624	12	12	12	4	n/a	n/a	0	664
1992	717	12	14	17	4	n/a	n/a	0	764
1993	764	11	23	20	3	n/a	n/a	0	821
1994	779	17	25	16	3	n/a	n/a	0	840
1995	794	19	21	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	855
1996	794	19	21	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	855
1997	823	22	22	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	888
1998	656	16	16	16	1	n/a	n/a	0	705
1999	668	13	11	17	0	n/a	n/a	0	709
2000	698	9	15	17	0	n/a	n/a	0	739
2001	675	12	11	11	2	n/a	n/a	0	711
2002	675	12	13	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	710
2003	675	12	13	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	710
2004	646	13	15	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	681
2005	643	17	13	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	681
2006	639	18	7	19	0	n/a	n/a	0	683
2007	591	13	11	15	0	n/a	n/a	35	665
2008	552	14	8	12	1	n/a	n/a	46	633
2009	517	9	8	15	1	n/a	n/a	55	605
2010	610	18	12	4	1	n/a	n/a	54	699
2011	657	13	12	39	0	0	42	0	763
2012	683	19	20	40	1	0	50	0	813
2013	700	24	22	40	3	1	39	0	829
2014	716	22	26	54	2	1	54	0	875
2015	727	19	23	53	3	1	50	0	876
2016	735	26	22	55	3	0	53	0	894
2017	751	19	17	80	4	0	55	0	926
2018	773	16	16	108	3	0	48	0	964
2019	764	17	9	123	2	0	40	0	955
2020	775	22	11	143	1	0	40	0	992
2021	737	20	9	118	0	0	37	0	921
2022	781	16	8	107	0	0	40	0	952
2023	749	18	9	110	0	1	43	0	930

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Bluewater Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1991	664	32.0	20.7	6.3
1992	764	36.0	21.2	5
1993	821	39.0	21.1	4
1994	840	39.0	21.5	4.2
1995	855	39.0	21.9	4
1996	855	39.0	21.9	4
1997	888	44.0	20.2	4.2
1998	705	35.0	20.1	5.4
1999	709	37.0	19.2	9.3
2000	739	37.0	20.0	12
2001	711	35.0	20.3	12.1
2002	710	32.0	22.2	9.2
2003	710	32.0	22.2	9.2
2004	681	36.0	18.9	9.8
2005	681	42.0	16.2	9.5
2006	683	40.0	17.1	11.4
2007	665	39.0	17.1	10.2
2008	633	52.0	12.2	9.7
2009	605	45.9	13.3	14.5
2010	699	47.5	14.7	16.3
2011	763	46.0	16.5	16.5
2012	813	48.0	16.9	15.3
2013	829	52.0	15.9	13.6
2014	875	55.0	15.9	13.6
2015	876	53.0	16.5	16.4
2016	894	57.0	15.6	15.4
2017	926	59.0	15.6	14.1
2018	964	57.0	16.9	14.2
2019	955	58.0	16.4	13.4
2020	992	58.0	17.1	15.3
2021	921	55.0	16.7	14.9
2022	952	57.0	16.7	12.1
2023	930	56.0	16.6	15.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Bluewater Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1991	664	32.0	20.7	6.3
1992	764	36.0	21.2	5
1993	821	39.0	21.1	4
1994	840	39.0	21.5	4.2
1995	855	39.0	21.9	4
1996	855	39.0	21.9	4
1997	888	44.0	20.2	4.2
1998	705	35.0	20.1	5.4
1999	709	37.0	19.2	9.3
2000	739	37.0	20.0	12
2001	711	35.0	20.3	12.1
2002	710	32.0	22.2	9.2
2003	710	32.0	22.2	9.2
2004	681	36.0	18.9	9.8
2005	681	42.0	16.2	9.5
2006	683	40.0	17.1	11.4
2007	665	39.0	17.1	10.2
2008	633	52.0	12.2	9.7
2009	605	45.9	13.3	14.5
2010	699	47.5	14.7	16.3
2011	763	46.0	16.5	16.5
2012	813	48.0	16.9	15.3
2013	829	52.0	15.9	13.6
2014	875	55.0	15.9	13.6
2015	876	53.0	16.5	16.4
2016	894	57.0	15.6	15.4
2017	926	59.0	15.6	14.1
2018	964	57.0	16.9	14.2
2019	955	58.0	16.4	13.4
2020	992	58.0	17.1	15.3
2021	921	55.0	16.7	14.9
2022	952	57.0	16.7	12.1
2023	930	56.0	16.6	15.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Bluewater Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$226 (3.1%)	$7,035 (96.9%)	$7,261
2019	$138 (1.8%)	$7,354 (98.2%)	$7,492
2020	$153 (2.1%)	$7,120 (97.9%)	$7,273
2021	$542 (6.9%)	$7,291 (93.1%)	$7,833
2022	$1,469 (17.7%)	$6,808 (82.2%)	$8,278
2023	$1,241 (13.8%)	$7,751 (86.2%)	$8,992

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bluewater Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 45^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 75^th of 2240 Elementary schools	1.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Bluewater Elementary School)	87	79	8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	66	58	8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Bluewater Elementary School)	95	85	10%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa)	73	65	8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Bluewater Elementary School)	79	75	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	67	61	6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Bluewater Elementary School)	88	83	5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa)	74	65	9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Bluewater Elementary School)	85	85
5th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	67	62	5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Bluewater Elementary School)	85	82	3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa)	71	58	13%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Bluewater Elementary School)	85	80	5%
5th Grade Science (Okaloosa)	63	57	6%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	955	930	2.6%
African American	17	18	5.9%
American Indian	2	0	100%
Asian	9	9
Hispanic	123	110	10.6%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	764	749	2%
Two or More Races	40	43	7.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	13.4%	15.7%	2.3%

Schools Near Bluewater Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bluewater Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4545 Range Rd	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4240	930	56	16.6	15.7%	749 (80.5%)	18 (1.9%)	110 (11.8%)	9 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	43 (4.6%)	90.2	174^th of 2256 public elementary schools	92.3%		93.6	75^th of 2240 public elementary schools	96.7%	99	81.0	75.0	73.0				88.0	78.0	76.0				74.0				$8,992	$1,241	$7,751
James E Plew Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	220 Pine Ave	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4100	829	48	17.4	25.7%	659 (79.5%)	14 (1.7%)	76 (9.2%)	6 (0.7%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	72 (8.7%)	89.5	196^th of 2256 public elementary schools	91.3%		91.2	138^th of 2240 public elementary schools	93.8%	58	77.0	73.0	78.0				74.0	87.0	78.0				73.0				$8,992	$1,290	$7,702
Addie R. Lewis School	Public	PK, KG-8	281 Mississippi Ave	Valparaiso	32580	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4130	693	46	15.0	44.3%	451 (65.1%)	72 (10.4%)	62 (8.9%)	6 (0.9%)	6 (0.9%)	6 (0.9%)	90 (13.0%)	70.4	631^st of 2256 public elementary schools	72.0%		67.1	685^th of 2240 public elementary schools	69.4%	54	44.0	66.0	77.0	67.0	56.0	68.0	45.0	64.0	80.0	57.0	76.0	69.0	77.0	72.0	95.0	73.0	$12,411	$1,954	$10,456
Lula J. Edge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	300 Highway 85 N	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4138	536	34	15.8	41.6%	405 (75.6%)	20 (3.7%)	42 (7.8%)	5 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	63 (11.8%)	77	481^st of 2256 public elementary schools	78.7%		78.7	435^th of 2240 public elementary schools	80.6%	46	62.0	65.0	68.0				73.0	73.0	64.0				68.0				$10,551	$2,051	$8,499
Destin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	630 Kelly St	Destin	32541	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4360	976	59	16.5	40.9%	658 (67.4%)	53 (5.4%)	159 (16.3%)	28 (2.9%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	73 (7.5%)	81.2	372^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	83.5%		82.8	343^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	84.7%	29	62.0	72.0					72.0	83.0									$9,248	$1,361	$7,887
Eglin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	200 Gaffney Rd	Eglin Afb	32542	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4320	460	29	15.8	35.4%	203 (44.1%)	77 (16.7%)	112 (24.3%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (14.1%)	77.5	464^th of 2256 public elementary schools	79.4%		82.7	347^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.5%	117	68.0	58.0					78.0	73.0									$10,724	$1,929	$8,794
Shalimar Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1350 Joe Martin Cir	Shalimar	32579	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4339	614	36	17.0	63.2%	352 (57.3%)	73 (11.9%)	95 (15.5%)	19 (3.1%)	5 (0.8%)	4 (0.7%)	66 (10.7%)	51.3	1066^th of 2256 public elementary schools	52.7%		47.3	1152^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	48.6%	86	60.0	48.0	55.0				73.0	50.0	55.0				42.0				$10,637	$2,576	$8,063
Longwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	50 Holly Ave	Shalimar	32579	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4329	548	33	16.6	74.5%	153 (27.9%)	66 (12.0%)	259 (47.3%)	15 (2.7%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	51 (9.3%)	19.9	1903^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	15.6%		27	1680^th of 2240 public elementary schools	25.0%	223	26.0	33.0	47.0				29.0	41.0	53.0				36.0				$12,606	$2,797	$9,808
Kenwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	15 Eagle St NE	Fort Walton Beach	32547	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3570	545	36	15.1	58.2%	324 (59.4%)	62 (11.4%)	78 (14.3%)	12 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	68 (12.5%)	59.9	866^th of 2256 public elementary schools	61.6%		61.9	797^th of 2240 public elementary schools	64.4%	69	61.0	67.0	51.0				64.0	72.0	55.0				44.0				$12,000	$2,575	$9,426
Elliott Point Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	301 Hughes St NE	Fort Walton Beach	32548	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3355	597	37	16.1	69.8%	289 (48.4%)	102 (17.1%)	136 (22.8%)	8 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	61 (10.2%)	42.5	1278^th of 2256 public elementary schools	43.4%		36.7	1426^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.3%	148	52.0	44.0	67.0				43.0	39.0	57.0				54.0				$11,216	$2,644	$8,573

Frequently Asked Questions about Bluewater Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Bluewater Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Bluewater Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : C. W. Ruckel Middle School
High : Niceville Senior High School

Is Bluewater Elementary School a good school?

Yes. Bluewater Elementary School ranks in the top 7.7% of Florida elementary schools.

What district is Bluewater Elementary School in?

Okaloosa

How many students attend Bluewater Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 930 students attended Bluewater Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Bluewater Elementary School?

Students at Bluewater Elementary School are 81% White, 12% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 2% African American.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.