Walton County Students Return to Classrooms for 2026-2027 School Year
Thousands of Walton County students returned to classrooms Tuesday morning, marking the first day of the 2026-2027 school year across the district’s campuses including Freeport Elementary, Freeport Middle, and Freeport High School.
The first-day buzz was palpable at schools throughout the county. At Walton Middle School in DeFuniak Springs, seventh graders shared their excitement about new classes and electives. Principal Jason Campbell said preparation for the first day begins the moment the previous school year ends, with months of planning, professional development, and instructional readiness going into a single morning.
For Freeport families, the return to class means back-to-school routines at three campuses — Freeport Elementary on Highway 20, Freeport Middle School, and Freeport High School. All three earned A school grades in the most recent state assessments, part of a district-wide streak that has made Walton County one of Florida’s top-performing school systems.
The Walton County School District is currently tied for the No. 2 ranking among Florida’s 67 counties, a distinction rooted in consistent academic performance. The district has been an A-rated district since 2017, with every school earning either an A or B grade. Superintendent A. Russell Hughes, who has led the district since 2016, said the goal this year is to build on that foundation.
“It’s about the children, where they go to school, how they enjoy it,” Hughes said. “If you see the smiles today, the excitement, you’ll see how we do this. Those teachers are in those classes, those principals are checking things out, they have a plan of success.”
The district’s theme for the year is “Elevating E.P.I.C. to New Heights” — standing for Excellence, Professionalism, Innovation, and Collaboration. At West DeFuniak Elementary, Principal Darlene Paul said her school is aiming for above 70% achievement points on the next school grade calculation.
The first day also brings renewed attention to school zone safety. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office launched Operation Blue Bird on August 11, deploying deputies to monitor school zones and bus routes through the end of the month. Freeport commuters on Highway 20 and US 331 should expect extra enforcement during morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal near Freeport Elementary and other local campuses.
Originally reported by WJHG Newschannel 7.
Image: WJHG Newschannel 7
