Fort Walton Beach High School
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Phone: (850) 833-3300
Fax: (850) 833-3311
District: Okaloosa
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades 9,10,11,12 • 1561 students
Fort Walton Beach High School, a public school located in Fort Walton Beach, FL, serves grades 9-12 in the Okaloosa County School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Fort Walton Beach High School is a public school located in Fort Walton Beach, FL. 1561 students attend Fort Walton Beach High School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 5/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking data from Florida Department of Education, and using 2025 Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking data from Florida Department of Education. |
| College Readiness | 5/10 | The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using 2019 Average SAT score data from Florida Department of Education, using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from Florida Department of Education, and using 2026 demographic data from Florida Department of Education. |
| Student Growth | 4/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Florida Department of Education. |
Posted: June 10, 2026
Terrible school. From the administration to the faculty.
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Admin are rude. Teachers dont encourage education. Basically just babysitters.
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Posted: June 9, 2026
Poor admins. Teachers dont help struggling students. I'm withdrawing my kids asap
Posted: June 9, 2026
Posted: June 9, 2026
Posted: June 9, 2026
Posted: June 9, 2026
Posted: June 9, 2026
Posted: June 9, 2026
Posted: June 9, 2026
Posted: September 17, 2019
Nothing but the best at the top and it filters down the line from there. Absolutely a great team they have at the school.
Posted: September 17, 2019
Posted: September 17, 2019
Posted: September 17, 2019
Most of the home work is done in class so when my child comes home there is little to do. This is great for my child since class starts so early my child is tired earlier in the evenings.
Posted: September 17, 2019
We're about 2 months into the school year and my child loves the teachers. That is so relieving to hear since there have been some issues with past teachers.
Posted: September 17, 2019
Posted: September 17, 2019
We love FWBHS. Hands down this school has some serious school spirit and has brought a different side of my child out. This is what High School years should be all about. This school is amazing for Academics and their Athletic departments. Truly offers both without favoring one over the other.
Posted: April 24, 2019
As a parent with three children at FWBHS at the same time...I have absolutely no complaints! Our kids love the school, are happy they are there instead of other local school options and are excelling in every area! Go Vikes!
Posted: April 24, 2019
Posted: April 24, 2019
Posted: April 24, 2019
Posted: April 24, 2019
Posted: April 24, 2019
Posted: April 24, 2019
Posted: March 12, 2019
Posted: March 12, 2019
Posted: March 12, 2019
Posted: March 12, 2019
Posted: March 12, 2019
Posted: March 12, 2019
The teachers and Administrators at FWBHS are helpful and encouraging. I have been impressed and I am very glad that my child is at this school.
Posted: March 12, 2019
Posted: May 23, 2018
Zero Tolerance for fights or bullying. Good Job on that issue.
Posted: May 23, 2018
I would have to rate my experience below average. There are many great teachers, administrators and dedicated personnel at FWBHS. However, this school is overcrowded and underfunded. As a Destin, FL resident with no high school in our city, our children go from A+ elementary and middle schools to having no local high school to attend. Upon 9th grade they are separated, shipped to other towns, where they are labeled rich Destin kids and are thrown into a world of unfamiliar circumstances. They have to get on a bus before dawn to get to school by 7 AM. It has truly been a nightmare. My son will graduate this year with a 2.0 GPA. His sister, a junior this year is actually a Viking Scholar that loves education but has struggled tremendously each and every day while attending this school.
Posted: May 23, 2018
Teachers do their best in an overcrowded classroom setting. They try to oversee homework completion. However, many of the students do not care and just simply take a zero rather than going the extra mile and ask for a teacher's help.
Posted: May 23, 2018
Possibly due to the Okaloosa County School Board requirements much of the curriculum is somewhat ambiguous and difficult to follow.
Posted: May 23, 2018
It is difficult to develop character while trying not to offend anyone.
Posted: May 23, 2018
I would say leadership is above average at Fort Walton Beach High School. The Administrative Department has the difficult task of bringing students from all walks of life into one cohesive bunch.
Posted: May 23, 2018
There is an IEP program but it is disorganized and most teachers would prefer not to be bothered with special needs students.
Posted: July 2, 2016
Posted: July 2, 2016
Posted: July 2, 2016
Posted: July 2, 2016
My son recently graduated from FWBHS this year so I thought this panel needed an updated review. I couldn't be more happy with the experience and education my son received while attending school here! He has OCD and before entertaining the 9th grade suffered from social anxiety which completely changed with the academic achievements and confidence he gained here. This school lives up to the set beliefs it practices!
Posted: January 27, 2015
As a Destin resident, I'm glad we made the decision for our 2 children to attend FWBHS. Great school, administration, teachers, counselors and extracurriculars.
Posted: October 2, 2013
My son has been on a waiver throughout high school to participate in the FWBHS drama department. It is truly an amazing experience for students who want to pursue something other than sports. He is a better person because of this program. It is the best drama program in this part of Florida!
Posted: April 10, 2013
Would have been 5 stars but the guidance counselors have too many student to keep track of and my child will not be able to graduate with honors even with a 4.2 grade point because the correct classes were not recommended (that is what a guidance counselor is for) BIG dissappointment.
Posted: March 16, 2013
Great School!! Excellent Staff!! After moving to destin we were concerned about the high school because our child is Autistic. I was so amazed at how involved the staff were compared to our previous high school. My child has the best classes to fit her needs.
Posted: February 27, 2013
There is a sense of trust amongst the students, teachers and staff at the high school. Everyone knows what is expected of each other. The teachers have high expectations of their students and it shows in the students performance
Posted: February 27, 2013
The school has strong leadership. The school leaders have high expectations of their students and teachers. Administration has a visible presence in the classroom, hallways and school functions. They help create a positive atmosphere at the school.
Posted: February 27, 2013
Excellent opportunities for students to excel both academically and in athletics. The principal is exceptional.
Posted: February 27, 2013
FWBHS is an excellent school with amazing teachers and administrators that truly care about the students and their families. The academics are challenging and the students are well-prepared for college upon graduation.
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunsail | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Destin | FL | 13.8 mi | |
| 2 | Villa Tasso | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Niceville | FL | 15.3 mi | |
| 3 | Sugar Creek | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Crestview | FL | 22 mi | |
| 4 | Mill Creek Farms | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Baker | FL | 25.1 mi | |
| 5 | Tiger Point | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Gulf Breeze | FL | 25.7 mi | |
| 6 | Tiger Point (Willowood section) | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Gulf Breeze | FL | 25.7 mi | |
| 7 | Sundial Estates | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Milton | FL | 26 mi | |
| 8 | Grandview Heights | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Crestview | FL | 26.8 mi | |
| 9 | Hammock Bay | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Freeport | FL | 28.7 mi | |
| 10 | Berry Pines | Apartment Complex | Milton | FL | 28.9 mi | |
| 11 | Ashton Woods | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Milton | FL | 29.1 mi | |
| 12 | Whiting Pines | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Milton | FL | 29.2 mi | |
| 13 | Tanglewood Golf Course Community | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Milton | FL | 30.2 mi | |
| 14 | Tanglewood Oaks | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Milton | FL | 30.5 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mary Esther | Mary Esther | FL | 0.9 mi | |
| 2 | Fort Walton Beach | Fort Walton | FL | 1.5 mi | |
| 3 | Shalimar | Shalimar | FL | 4.3 mi | |
| 4 | Destin | Destin | FL | 8.8 mi | |
| 5 | Valparaiso | Valparaiso | FL | 10.5 mi | |
| 6 | Niceville | Niceville | FL | 11.9 mi | |
| 7 | Navarre | Navarre | FL | 14.2 mi | |
| 8 | Bluewater Bay | Niceville | FL | 14.4 mi | |
| 9 | Crestview | Crestview | FL | 24.8 mi | |
| 10 | Milton | Milton | FL | 28.2 mi | |
| 11 | Freeport | Freeport | FL | 30.6 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Hurlburt Field | 3.1 mi. |
| Eglin AFB | 7.4 mi. |
| Duke Field | 17.6 mi. |
| Whiting Field NAS | 30.3 mi. |
| Corry Station | 38.7 mi. |
| Pensacola Naval Hospital | 39.2 mi. |
| Pensacola NAS | 40.2 mi. |
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