District News

All Walton County School District high schools were invited to bring an academic team to each of five district academic team tournaments throughout the school year. The top six scoring students from the entire district were chosen to represent the Walton County School District at the 2022 Commissioner’s Academic Challenge in Orlando, Florida, and on May 17, 2022, Team Walton was honored by the Walton County School Board for bringing home the championship for their division. Team Walton exemplified excellence, professionalism, innovation, and collaboration and represented the Walton County School District in a way that was truly EPIC!

Team Walton Photo

Back Row, Left to Right: Brighton Cardenas (11^th grade at SWHS), Melissa Buckner (Coach, MIC – SWHS), Alyssa Sutton (12^th grade at SWHS), Kai Hong (11^th grade at SWHS)

Front Row, Left to Right: Sophia Bock (12^th grade at SWHS and Team Florida representative), Addison Hilton (9^th grade at FHS), Allie Saunders (10^th grade at PHS)

Last Day for Seniors at FHS. They were so excited to finish exams, turn in books, say “See you Later” to teachers, administrators, staff, and Superintendent Hughes. Under classmen were practicing for EOC’s, supporting Cole (athlete who signed with Weber College today), and thanking the Seniors for leading the way! Talk about EPIC. FHS had 100% of their 124 students signed up to take the Biology EOC today; now that’s EPIC, Commitment, Responsibility and out right Impressive! Thanks teachers, students, parents, staff, and Administrators for showing such preparedness and commitment to finish STRONG! EPIC is the WAY! Thanks, Kaiden for giving the Superintendent a personal tour of the exceptional growth and work done in Agriculture since starting the program. Evident by the sweet pepper picked from FHS’s Raised Garden. Also, thanks for signing up to serve in the United States Marine Corp. Go Dogs!!!!!

The time between nap time and dismissal is one of the sweetest most precious times of the day at Bay School. The exhaustion that comes wit academic stamina at this age is definitely real, so the rest is both necessary for proper growth and development! Talk about a jewel of a school in the WCSD, there is NO better way to start a child’s educational experience than Pre-K in Walton County and especially Bay along with our other Pre-K centers. EPIC happens even in Pre-K; 4wRd!

Students from Van R. Butler & Dune Lakes Elementary joined students from around Florida at the Florida Panhandle Regional Final of the International Academic Championship. This event was held at Van R. Butler on April 30^th with students competing in the History Bee, Science Bee & Geography Bee. Walton County was well-represented by all students and several students will move on to compete in the Finals in Orlando during the month of June. Congratulations to all the competitors who are keeping it EPIC and here are the finalists:

Van R. Butler Finalists

History Bee National and International Finalist– Myryah Cline

History Bee National Finalist– Bel Jackson

Science Bee National Finalists - Rob Mitchell, Myryah Cline, Levi McClendon, and Michael Mitchell

Dune Lakes Elementary Finalists

History Bee National and International Finalist - Henry Smith

Science Bee National Finalists - Ruan Parker and Gracie Smith

Geography Bee National Finalists - Brooks Locke and Henry Smith

Good luck to all in the Finals!

Superintendent Hughes shared his morning with us for a series of roundtables with our students at an event we called "Sub Sandwiches with the Superintendent." Our students expressed how grateful they are for the Superintendent's vision for this STEAM school and all he has continued to do to stand it up as a premier place of learning.

Mrs. Jessica Anderson’s 5^th Grade Students reviewed in a not-so-traditional way, as they worked FSA review math problems independently. Each team chose a member to then compete in a Minute to Win It game. Some of the games included Bottle Flip, Cookie Challenge, and the Cotton Ball Scoop, just to name a few. Students were engaged and were eager to play the next round of games!

On Thursday, April 21, 2022, the Walton County School District and the Rosemary Beach Foundation marked the end of the 11^th Annual Music in Pictures art initiative by celebrating the students and teachers who participated in this year’s event. There were over 4,000 students who participated from 20 public and private schools across Walton County. After listening to music by American composer, Mark O’Connor, students were invited to create a representation of their interpretation of the music in pictures. The ceremony highlighted and celebrated the different perspectives and talents at play in the Walton County School District, all truly EPIC!

U.S. News Best High Schools Rankings

The U.S. News Best High Schools rankings include data on nearly 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college. These factors include: Mathematics Proficiency, Reading Proficiency, Science Proficiency, Advanced Placement Enrollment, Advance Placement Proficiency, and Graduation Rate.

Freeport High School, Paxton High School, South Walton High School, and Walton High School were all recognized as BEST High Schools by U.S. News and World Report. We are proud of our high schools for their continued excellence and accolades to include again obtaining this recognition. Thank you for all or your effort and hard work to make the Walton County School District great! #EPIC 4wRd

THE ST. JOE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE 2022 NO ORDINARY JOE SCHOLARSHIP: WES CORBIN OF WALTON HIGH SCHOOL. Wes Corbin received a $13,000 scholarship award to offset the cost of college tuition.

The No Ordinary JOE scholarship was created to encourage students to become engaged in leadership and community service and is available to all public high school students in Bay and Walton Counties. In addition to Mr. Corbin and Ms. Nguyen, 27 scholarship nominees received $500 scholarships and 13 school finalists received an additional $2,500 scholarship to be paid towards a degree program at the recipients’ chosen college.

Wes Corbin, a senior at Walton High School, plans to attend Auburn University this fall to pursue a degree in Building Construction. While in high school, Mr. Corbin played varsity baseball and was also involved in Key Club, Anchor Club and the Fellowship of Student Athletes among other student organizations. In addition to excelling academically, he contributed significantly to several service projects both at his school and in the community during his high school career.

These are the faces of great tenacity, grit, success, belief and Joy of education! These students epitomize the reason we should forever give our best as Educational Leaders, staff and teachers. The teachers you see also exemplify the joy of facilitating a world class education in the WCSD! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week for all employees and post test joy for students. Superintendent Hughes stopped in to check on SWHS and MIC today! EPIC is the WAY!

Team Walton – 2022 Commissioner’s Academic Challenge Division 3 Champions

May 18, 2022

Last Day for Seniors at FHS!

May 13, 2022

EPIC happens even in Pre-K;

May 12, 2022

WCSD Will be Well Represented at the International Academic Championship in Orlando

May 11, 2022

Sub Sandwiches with the Superintendent

May 11, 2022

Minute to Win It at WDE!

May 10, 2022

The 11th Annual Music in Pictures Awards Ceremony

May 9, 2022

Congratulations to ALL Walton County School District High Schools

May 9, 2022

Congratulations to Wes Corbin the WCSD- No Ordinary Joe Scholarship Winner

May 6, 2022

Tenacity, Grit, Success, Belief, and Joy of Education

May 4, 2022