We will be enrolling our son in middle school (8th grade) but can't decide which one he should go to. We are just north of 331 bridge on the bay loop and I found out he can go to Emerald Coast Middle or Freeport Middle. We aren't used to having a choice. Can anyone give us some insight to these schools? I'd really appreciate it cause I've heard great things about both. Thanks!
-
Trouble logging in? Send us a message with your username and/or email address for help.
Which middle school?
- Thread starter The Adams
- Start date
SGB
Beach Fanatic
You might want to base your decision on what high school you want him to go to in 9th grade. He would then move on to HS with his new friends. I'm biased, but I much prefer South Walton HS to Freeport HS. I think they have more AP classes. There are quite a few people that live just north of the bridge that have their kids go to the schools in south Walton, so he wouldn't be the only one.
I don't want to make your decision any harder, but there is also a middle school in Seaside that he is eligible to attend. The entrance is via a lottery system, who's deadline has passed, but you never know which kids are going to move over the summer and a spot might become available. You can get on the waiting list now. The kids from Seaside generally move on to South Walton HS. The Seaside Neighborhood School is a charter public school and has a total of about 110 students for all 3 grades. My kids both went/are going there and love it. Another option for you!
I don't want to make your decision any harder, but there is also a middle school in Seaside that he is eligible to attend. The entrance is via a lottery system, who's deadline has passed, but you never know which kids are going to move over the summer and a spot might become available. You can get on the waiting list now. The kids from Seaside generally move on to South Walton HS. The Seaside Neighborhood School is a charter public school and has a total of about 110 students for all 3 grades. My kids both went/are going there and love it. Another option for you!
Last edited:
ShallowsNole
Beach Fanatic
Both Freeport Middle / Freeport High and Emerald Coast Middle / South Walton High are good choices, so you really can't go wrong. But there are a number of kids who live north of the bay who attend the South Walton schools.
Only drawback would be that, since your child is currently in middle school, you would have to drive him to school and pick him up in the afternoon, if you selected Emerald Coast, and it is currently behind Butler Elementary until the new facility is built near Point Washington. If you selected Freeport, he would have bus transportation.
That being said, I lived south of Freeport when my son was small and I drove him across the bay every day until we moved back to SoWal, when he was in 7th grade...
Only drawback would be that, since your child is currently in middle school, you would have to drive him to school and pick him up in the afternoon, if you selected Emerald Coast, and it is currently behind Butler Elementary until the new facility is built near Point Washington. If you selected Freeport, he would have bus transportation.
That being said, I lived south of Freeport when my son was small and I drove him across the bay every day until we moved back to SoWal, when he was in 7th grade...
Thanks for all the advice and even more options! We are going to ECMS on Monday to check it out. I got the BEST recommendation from a friend. She had amazing things to say about the teachers. My husband wants him to go to South Walton High the next year so that's one more thing crossed off the list! Thanks again! I'm finding this site to be very helpful and entertaining.
ShallowsNole
Beach Fanatic
I think you made an excellent decision. As SWGB pointed out, sometimes there are traffic issues, so it's a good idea to learn ALL the back roads/shortcuts - for example, you probably already know Chat Holley to 393 to 30A, but also Chat Holley to Churchill Bayou Rd to Church St, west on 98 to Thompson Rd/Allen Loop Rd/30A...take a day and go driving.
Also, make sure your child carries a cell phone. He can't have it on in school, but he can turn it on afterwards for you to call him if you are going to be late. I had to do that a couple of times...
Also, make sure your child carries a cell phone. He can't have it on in school, but he can turn it on afterwards for you to call him if you are going to be late. I had to do that a couple of times...