Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 4.0Mary Esther’s public schools outscore 76% of Florida districts
62% of students in Mary Esther’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Mary Esther, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Mary Esther’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 58% and math 62% in spring 2022, against 52% and 52% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,131 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then 12 middle and six high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Advanced Sacred Hope Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Mary Esther’s grade
A−: better than 76% of Florida school districts, #108 of 638 Florida towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Florida average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Mary Esther, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Mary Esther
Mary Esther Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Mary Esther
Mary Esther Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Mary Esther
Mary Esther Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Mary Esther
Mary Esther Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Mary Esther
Mary Esther Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Mary Esther
Mary Esther Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Mary Esther
Mary Esther Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 438 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Mary Esther’s public schools are run by Okaloosa County School District, which also serves Cinco Bayou, Crestview, Destin and Fort Walton Beach and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Mary Esther vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Mary Esther’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Esther | A− | Okaloosa County |
| Fort Walton Beach | A− | Okaloosa County |
Every school in Mary Esther
18 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Mary Esther’s schools
Are Mary Esther’s schools good?
By Florida’s own tests, yes: the public schools Mary Esther children attend outscore 76% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #108 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 79%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Mary Esther in?
Okaloosa County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 32,047 students in 46 schools (2024–25).
Where do Mary Esther kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Crestview High School, Niceville Senior High School, Choctawhatchee Senior High School, Fort Walton Beach High School, Baker School and Laurel Hill School.
What is Mary Esther’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Okaloosa County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Mary Esther spend per student?
$11,131 in Okaloosa County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Mary Esther?
Yes: Advanced Sacred Hope Academy (special education, grades K–9, 29 students).
Parents talk
What Mary Esther families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mary Esther → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.