State Assessment Results Released
Walton County Stands Strong!
On Friday, the Florida Department of Education released the results from the Spring testing window, which most parents and students may know as FSA (Florida Standards Assessments), FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test), and EOC (End of Course) exams. These tests include the FSA English Language Arts (grades 3-10); FSA Math (grades 3-8); FCAT Science (grades 5 and 8); and EOC exams in Biology, Algebra I, Geometry, Civics, and US History.
Walton County’s Superintendent, A. Russell Hughes, and his team were anxiously awaiting results and began to analyze school, district, and state data immediately. Initial data analysis shows that Walton County ranks 8th in the state among all 67 counties. Superintendent Hughes commented, “I am extremely pleased with our continued top rankings when it comes to state assessments. These results prove and solidify our continued commitment to instructional practices that end with great results based on student performance.”
Of the 21 tested areas, Walton County students rank in the top 10 of all districts on 9 tested subject areas, including 5th, 7th, and 9th grade English Language Arts; 8th grade Math; 8th grade Science; Biology; Algebra I; Geometry; and Civics. More specifically, Walton County students ranked 2nd in the state in the areas of 7th grade English Language Arts and Geometry as well as 4th in the state on the Civics EOC exam.
Superintendent Hughes gave all the praise to the entire Walton County School District system. He stated, “While state testing is our checks and balances with accountability, I am constantly reminded of the caring leaders that lead our district and schools, phenomenal teachers that teach with care, compassion, and expertise, and I would venture to say some of the most amazing students in the world that perform on these assessments with the support of parents that make the success we are experiencing a reality. We call this EPIC (Excellence-Professionalism-Innovation-Collaboration) in the Walton County School District!”
Walton County and each of its individual schools will continue to analyze data over the coming month and also look forward to the state’s release of school grades in the near future. As more data becomes available, the district will continue to share all results with parents and students, including individual student assessment reports.
Looking to the future and the 2019-2020 school year, Superintendent Hughes stated, “While our vision is to be the top in the state in assessments, the reality is we still have a lot to do and a long way to go to ascertain that reality. While this is one indicator of our success, we certainly have much more than successful test scores to show our belief in the power of investing in the whole child when it comes to educating the students of Walton County.”
His final words spoke to the entire Walton County community. “Let me say as the Superintendent, on behalf of the entire Walton County School District, the school board, and our 1200 plus employees, it is a privilege to work with all stakeholders to deliver these results, and we look forward to improving our scores next year and investing more than ever into our children as we prepare them for a life of success. EPIC is the Way!”
For more information on the Walton County School District, please visit https://www.walton.k12.fl.us/. To view the statewide and district-level state assessment results, visit 2019 Assessment Result
(http://fldoe.org/…/k-12-student-assessment/results/2019.stml).
WCSD Goes to AVID Summer Institute!
June 28, 2019
78 WCSD educators, administrators, and Superintendent Hughes spent an EPIC week making it POP at the AVID Summer Institute in Tampa, Florida this week! Teachers, student leaders and administrators from all across the state came together for collaborative training sessions, team building, and brainstorming innovative new ideas for engaging students in academics! Way to represent, Team Walton! #wearewcsd #thisisavid#AVIDsi19 #excellencethroughleadership
Welcome to Paxton, Principal Jones!
June 28, 2019
WCSD welcomes the new principal at Paxton School! Congratulations to Mr. Brent Jones!
2019-2020 VPK Calendar!
June 25, 2019
Click on related files below for a printable pdf copy of the 2019-2020 VPK calendar
Always seeking ways to connect with our community and surrounding areas, Supt. Hughes arranged for our principals to have their monthly meeting at the Emerald Coast Science Center in Ft. Walton Beach, Fl. The center was originally known as the FOCUS center (Families of Okaloosa County Understanding Science) and was begun under the leadership of Dr. Alexis Tibbetts Dr. Tibbetts is currently the principal at South Walton High School in Santa Rosa Beach. In 2001, the FOCUS Center changed its name to the Emerald Coast Science Center (ECSC) to better promote the museum as a regional science museum for Northwest Florida.
You can access more information about the center and it's history athttps://www.ecscience.org/
Bus Driver’s Needed!
June 20, 2019
Congratulations to Paige Brannon, 2019 Walton High graduate and varsity girls soccer team goalie, who signed an official commitment on June 14! Paige will be playing the goalie position for Richard Bland College of William & Mary this upcoming fall season.
We are so proud of you, Paige! Submitted by Christy English
Summer is popping in Walton County School District as administrators, teachers, guidance, data specialists, management information, transportation, school improvement chairpersons, and guests from Florida Department of Education are gathered to participate in Superintendent Hughes’ “Get it Right” initiative at the Carlene Anderson Training Center! Mr Hughes began the session today reiterating the impact of accurate data on student achievement and overall school improvement.
The focuses of the day are to gather knowledge and skills to ensure accurate school data entry and reporting, improve early warning systems, and develop school improvement plans.
Special thanks to Wallace Selph and Calvin Trombley from the FLDOE Bureau of School Improvement, Stephen Bowen; FLDOE Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Data Systems; and Kenneth Dukes FLDOE, FEFP Data Quality Manager for their assistance and participation today!
Hey, Walton Middle School Students! There is a NEW summer STEM camp for students entering 6th grade. This summer you can learn about engineering, coding and robotics. If you are interested in FIRST LEGO League competitions, then this camp is for you. The 4 -day camp will be offered FREE for up to 15 students per session (morning or afternoon) on July 15th-18th. On Thursday we will have a SHOW and TELL for students to show what they learned and to talk about the process with parents, friends and family.
To register please email the form below to Crystal Appel, [email protected]
Applications are due by June 17, 2019. Please email your completed forms to [email protected] Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click Here to view the application
Dates: July 15th -18th (no more than 15 students per session)
Session 1: 8am - 11am
OR
Session 2: 12pm - 3pm
Place: Walton Middle School
605 Bruce Ave.
Defuniak Springs, Fl. 32433
Time:
Drop off session 1 -- 7:50 am Pick-up no later than 11:10
after session 1
Drop off session 2 -- 11:50 am Pick-up no later than 3:10 after session 2 ($20 fee for every 15 minutes late after late pick-up time listed)
Please bring a snack and/or drink to camp with you.
What students will learn.
Beginning LEGO Robotics Camp (students entering grades 6) This camp will allow the student to design and build a LEGO EV3 Robot and program the robot to complete certain tasks throughout the week. Students will learn about the programming structures as well as using sensors to detect distance and color. Each student will be able to program a robot for the week. Limit up to 15 students per session