Emerald Coast Middle School

Q: Is Emerald Coast Middle School a good school?

Emerald Coast Middle School ranks 254 th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Emerald Coast Middle School is a public middle school in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, serving 868 students in grades 6-8. This school stands out as a high-performing institution, consistently outpacing the Walton School District and the state of Florida in academic metrics.

Emerald Coast Middle School boasts impressive academic achievements, with 96% proficiency in Algebra 1, 100% in Geometry, and 74% in Civics, far exceeding the district and state averages. The school also has a more diverse student population compared to nearby Freeport Middle School, with higher percentages of Hispanic and Asian students. Additionally, Emerald Coast Middle School maintains a lower chronic absenteeism rate of 18.4%, outperforming Destin Middle School and Freeport Middle School in this metric.

The school's commitment to student success is evident in its increasing spending per student, which has risen from $7,280 in 2019-2020 to $10,172 in 2022-2023. While the school experienced a spike in chronic absenteeism during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has since managed to reduce the rate, demonstrating its efforts to address this challenge. Emerald Coast Middle School's consistent academic excellence, diverse student body, and focus on student well-being make it a standout choice for families in the Santa Rosa Beach area.

Detail:

Public 6-8

4019 Us Highway 98e
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

(850) 622-5025

District: Walton

SchoolDigger Rank:
254^th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,172

Students who attend Emerald Coast Middle School usually attend:

High:	Freeport Senior High School
	South Walton High School
	Walton High School
	Walton Virtual Franchise

Feeder schools for Emerald Coast Middle School:

Elementary:	Dune Lakes Elementary School
	Freeport Elementary School
	Maude Saunders Elementary School
	Mossy Head School
	More...
	Van R. Butler Elementary School
	West Defuniak Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 19.2

Number of students: 868

Racial breakdown:

White:

71.7%

Hispanic:

20.3%

Two or more races:

4.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 23.6%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Emerald Coast Middle School ranks better than 78.8% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks first among 3 ranked middle schools in the Walton School District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 75.44. (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 Emerald Coast Middle School has the largest middle school student body size in the Walton School District. Racial makeup is: White (71.7%), Hispanic (20.3%), two or more races (4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 23.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Walton School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Emerald Coast Middle School is 19.2. 1 middle schools in the Walton School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Emerald Coast Middle School employs 45 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Emerald Coast Middle School is $10,172, which is the lowest among 3 middle schools in the Walton School District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

Emerald Coast Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Emerald Coast Middle School 254^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Emerald Coast Middle School in the ranking list.)

Walton:

SchoolDigger ranks Walton 16^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Emerald Coast Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2007	79.53	124^th	736	83.2%
2008	81.66	114^th	740	84.6%
2009	86.58	77^th	780	90.1%
2010	84.91	92^nd	839	89.0%
2011	86.30	93^rd	891	89.6%
2012	81.17	143^rd	897	84.1%
2013	80.14	162^nd	956	83.1%
2014	87.02	96^th	999	90.4%
2016	85.85	119^th	997	88.1%
2017	86.46	126^th	1031	87.8%
2018	85.55	136^th	1035	86.9%
2019	82.51	174^th	1099	84.2%
2021	82.00	165^th	1136	85.5%
2022	81.41	188^th	1148	83.6%
2023	78.97	210^th	1177	82.2%
2024	75.44	254^th	1196	78.8%

See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Emerald Coast Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2005	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	0
2006	316	3	3	21	0	n/a	n/a	0	343
2007	257	3	3	24	0	n/a	n/a	4	291
2008	243	5	5	29	0	n/a	n/a	5	287
2009	262	3	10	36	0	n/a	n/a	9	320
2010	290	6	8	38	0	n/a	n/a	6	348
2011	311	6	6	33	2	0	9	0	367
2012	429	14	9	55	0	0	18	0	525
2013	542	16	9	63	2	0	24	0	656
2014	557	14	10	71	1	0	26	0	679
2015	597	15	11	86	4	2	32	0	747
2016	691	13	8	103	4	2	33	0	854
2017	684	15	13	120	4	2	31	0	869
2018	745	23	17	138	4	2	32	0	961
2019	762	18	18	151	4	1	37	0	991
2020	597	19	14	147	6	1	25	0	809
2021	545	14	18	135	8	1	34	0	755
2022	614	13	14	159	5	1	34	0	840
2023	622	18	12	176	4	1	35	0	868

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 Emerald Coast Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	0	0.0	0.0	n/a
2006	343	n/a	n/a	37.9
2007	291	n/a	n/a	25.8
2008	287	19.0	15.1	27
2009	320	25.9	13.9	28.6
2010	348	23.0	15.1	33.3
2011	367	23.5	15.6	33.2
2012	525	32.0	16.4	37.5
2013	656	43.0	15.2	29.7
2014	679	42.0	16.1	28.7
2015	747	42.0	17.7	30.7
2016	854	46.0	18.5	34
2017	869	46.0	18.8	28.1
2018	961	50.0	19.2	26.8
2019	991	49.0	20.2	23.9
2020	809	41.0	19.7	23.5
2021	755	44.0	17.1	22.4
2022	840	46.0	18.2	21.7
2023	868	45.0	19.2	23.6

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 Emerald Coast Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	0	0.0	0.0	n/a
2006	343	n/a	n/a	37.9
2007	291	n/a	n/a	25.8
2008	287	19.0	15.1	27
2009	320	25.9	13.9	28.6
2010	348	23.0	15.1	33.3
2011	367	23.5	15.6	33.2
2012	525	32.0	16.4	37.5
2013	656	43.0	15.2	29.7
2014	679	42.0	16.1	28.7
2015	747	42.0	17.7	30.7
2016	854	46.0	18.5	34
2017	869	46.0	18.8	28.1
2018	961	50.0	19.2	26.8
2019	991	49.0	20.2	23.9
2020	809	41.0	19.7	23.5
2021	755	44.0	17.1	22.4
2022	840	46.0	18.2	21.7
2023	868	45.0	19.2	23.6

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 Emerald Coast Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$127 (2.0%)	$6,158 (98.0%)	$6,285
2019	$168 (2.4%)	$6,738 (97.6%)	$6,906
2020	$137 (1.9%)	$7,143 (98.1%)	$7,280
2021	$258 (3.1%)	$7,943 (96.9%)	$8,200
2022	$627 (7.3%)	$7,916 (92.7%)	$8,543
2023	$1,170 (11.5%)	$9,001 (88.5%)	$10,172

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Emerald Coast Middle 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 174^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 210^th of 1177 Middle schools	2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Emerald Coast Middle School)	71	65	6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Walton)	55	58	3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Emerald Coast Middle School)	68	74	6%
6th Grade Mathematics (Walton)	60	65	5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Emerald Coast Middle School)	74	62	12%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Walton)	64	54	10%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Emerald Coast Middle School)	79	68	11%
7th Grade Mathematics (Walton)	62	56	6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Emerald Coast Middle School)	71	62	9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Walton)	60	55	5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Emerald Coast Middle School)	73	68	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Walton)	63	58	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Emerald Coast Middle School)	69	75	6%
8th Grade Science (Walton)	58	61	3%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Emerald Coast Middle School)	87	70	17%
End of Course Civics (Walton)	82	74	8%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Emerald Coast Middle School)	96	93	3%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Walton)	72	73	1%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Emerald Coast Middle School)	100	100
End of Course Geometry (Walton)	73	69	4%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	991	868	12.4%
African American	18	18
American Indian	4	4
Asian	18	12	33.3%
Hispanic	151	176	16.6%
Pacific Islander	1	1
White	762	622	18.4%
Two or More Races	37	35	5.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	23.9%	23.6%	0.3%

Schools Near Emerald Coast Middle 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 Geometry (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 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th 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 Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Emerald Coast Middle School	Public	6-8	4019 Us Highway 98e	Santa Rosa Beach	32459	Walton County	Walton	No	No	No	No	(850) 622-5025	868	45	19.2	23.6%	622 (71.7%)	18 (2.1%)	176 (20.3%)	12 (1.4%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	35 (4.0%)	75.4	254^th of 1196 public middle schools	78.8%		79	210^th of 1177 public middle schools	82.2%	44		66.0	54.0	63.0		82.0	66.0	66.0		65.0	96.0	100.0	74.0	$10,172	$1,170	$9,001
Freeport Middle School	Public	5-8	360 Kylea Laird Dr	Freeport	32439	Walton County	Walton	No	No	No	No	(850) 892-1220	700	36	19.2	49.4%	506 (72.3%)	12 (1.7%)	146 (20.9%)	10 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (3.6%)	69.2	339^th of 1196 public middle schools	71.7%		65.7	373^rd of 1177 public middle schools	68.3%	34	53.0	60.0	59.0	56.0	58.0	67.0	60.0	70.0	58.0	61.0	88.0	100.0	86.0	$10,561	$1,380	$9,180
Destin Middle School	Public	5-8	4608 Legendary Marina Dr	Destin	32541	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-7655	846	43	19.5	36.2%	642 (75.9%)	35 (4.1%)	101 (11.9%)	20 (2.4%)	3 (0.4%)	3 (0.4%)	42 (5.0%)	79.7	206^th of 1196 public middle schools	82.8%		83.7	160^th of 1177 public middle schools	86.4%	46	65.0	68.0	66.0	67.0	67.0	69.0	82.0	75.0	57.0	56.0	96.0	100.0	82.0	$8,919	$1,444	$7,474

Frequently Asked Questions about Emerald Coast Middle School

Is Emerald Coast Middle School a good school?

Emerald Coast Middle School ranks 254^th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Emerald Coast Middle School in?

Walton

What is the racial makeup of Emerald Coast Middle School?

Students at Emerald Coast Middle School are 72% White, 20% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% African American, 1% Asian.

How many students attend Emerald Coast Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 868 students attended Emerald Coast Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Emerald Coast Middle School attend?

Students who attend Emerald Coast Middle School usually go on to attend Freeport Senior High School

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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.

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