Education

Okaloosa County School District  l  Colleges  l  Universities  l  Technology Centers

"A person's education is the foundation for success, Northwest Florida offers outstanding academic offerings as well as a talented workforce."
                               --Governor Charlie Crist

A fundamental goal of our community's educational system is to provide the quality education and training needed to maintain a competitive edge for our growing business and industry base needs.

Student achievement in Okaloosa is accelerating, with a rising number of students performing above grade level.

Okaloosa's School District

 The Okaloosa County School District was one of the first school districts to end the practice of social promotion, insisting that students meet academic standards in one grade before promotion to the next.  After making the most dramatic learning gains since the state started grading schools, Okaloosa County has achieved a larger share of 'A' schools than the other 66 Florida counties. 

"Okaloosa Schools are the best in Florida.
We are committed to maximizing the academic potential of every child."
                                                                   --Alexis Tibbetts
                                                      Superintendent of Schools

May 2009: Okaloosa Tops State in School Grades
Okaloosa County has the highest percentage of "A" schools in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Education, which released the school grades this morning. Thirty Okaloosa schools received A's, while three received B's and one received a C.

In 2008, 35 of Okaloosa's 38 schools earned A's.
Between the tri-county area of Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton, 67 of the 77 schools are 'A' rated.

In 2007 90% of Okaloosa Schools earned A's, 100% earned A's or B's.

Technology and the use of computers in the classroom is a major component in today's student learning. Therefore, Okaloosa County schools are equipped with computers in classrooms. The district also offers training for teachers through a technology lab.

Virtual Science Mentor Program
Through the efforts of the EDC working with the Technological Research and Development Authority, the Okaloosa County School District was awarded a NASA Educational Grant in 2001 for placement of the Virtual Science Mentor Program to bring scientists and engineers into the classroom via computer technology.

Secondary Education Partnerships
Okaloosa has established important partnerships with Florida colleges and universities to provide additional opportunities and challenges for students.

• The University of Florida and University of West Florida:
  pre-engineering course work for middle and high school students
• The Florida State University College of Medicine and West Florida Area Health Education Center:
  advanced science and math instruction for students starting in seventh grade
• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University:
  university-level aerospace studies

Community High: Okaloosa Institutes for Career Education; CHOICE
CHOICE is a unique program for high school students. It lets you earn high school credit, college credit and nationally-recognized industry certification – all at the same time.

Institutes:

• Aerospace

• Construction Technology

• Creative Arts

• Hospitality

• Information Technology

Engineers for America (EFA)

Engineers for America is a locally conceived program to build on national and state emphasis on science and engineering studies for our elementary and middle school students.   The Air Force Armament Museum Foundation along with the award winning Okaloosa County School District and representatives of local colleges and universities have developed a unique curriculum that presents displays at the Armament Museum as practical real world engineering problems to interest and motivate younger students.

 Okaloosa County also offers several private Christian K-12 schools.

Educational Requirements Study

The University of West Florida Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development was engaged by the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County to conduct a three county educational gap study.  Through the Haas Center's methodology four industries were identified the highest need for new and replacement jobs in the next five years (2008-2013).  They are aerospace engineering, industrial & systems engineering, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.

What the chart above outlines for us is that these four industries are our growth centers over the next five years.  Both aerospace engineering and industrial & systems engineering are not being supplied locally by our education institutions but they are supplied by the state's institutions.  Electrical engineering is right on target, both locally and across the state of Florida.  Computer engineering, however is under supplied both locally and across the state.  Therefore, this is the industry we need to target to provide the needed training for our growth industries.

Colleges

 Northwest Florida State College; formally Okaloosa-Walton College
This 44 year old local college has evolved throughout the years from its original Okaloosa-Walton Junior College to today's Northwest Florida State College.  The most recent July 2008 name change will not affect the school's mission but it does reflect its program change as the college adds more bachelor's degree programs.

Northwest Florida State College, is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's and associate degrees, certificates and diplomas.

• Bachelor's program -- BAS and BSN
• A variety of Associate Degrees
• Short term technical certificates
• Vocational certificates
• Adult education
• High school equivalency instruction
• English-as-a-second language
• Noncredit continuing education
• Retirement learning
• Customized training for business and industry

NWF State College is a public institution and serve approximately 15,500 students annually at six full-time campuses and centers, including a main campus in Niceville, a joint campus with the University of West Florida in Fort Walton Beach and centers in Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, and at Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field.  Bachelor's programs currently include a BAS degree program in Project and Acquisitions Management and a BSN in Nursing.  An associate degree RN program in Nursing and other health programs are also offered.

Education and Business: Partners in Success
         Few partnerships are so essential to the on-going success of each partner as those established between educational institutions and businesses.  Businesses depend on education to provide their employees, supervisors, and leaders what they need in order to succeed in a competitive market place.  Businesses also depend on educational institutions for much of the retraining and upgrading necessary to keep their employees, supervisors, and managers current and competitive.  Educational institutions, in turn, depend on businesses to help keep faculty and courses up to date, to provide competent part-time instructors and program advisors, and to provide financial resources.
                                                                                       Dr. David Goetsch,
                                                                            NWF State College Vice President

Business and education partnerships include: 1) Institute for Professional Development. The IPD offers seminars designed to help working professionals develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to advance in their chosen fields, and 2) The Quality Institute.  TQI conducts customized training onsite in local business, industry, and government organizations.  The training is tailored specifically to the needs of the individual company and is designed to help the company improve its personnel, processes, and performance. 

NWF State College has a long and successful history of working effectively with business, industry, and government employers in providing training that is customized to meet the needs of the county's individual employers.

Universities

The University of West Florida
The University of West Florida's Fort Walton Beach Campus serves the unique needs of employed students and military personnel. One of UWF's goal is to meet the changing needs of our non-traditional student population and to focus on demand-driven higher education programs that meet the needs of both students and our local community.   UWF offers a full range of professional programs. The UWF campus in Fort Walton Beach facilitates many advanced learning classes to provide bachelor and graduate programs.

2008 Top Military-Friendly College and University

In March 2006 the University of West Florida Board of Trustees voted to combine all eight of their university branch campuses and extended learning efforts under a new umbrella title of The University of West Florida-Emerald Coast.  As UWF expands its outreach delivery throughout Northwest Florida, other field operations will additionally be included under this organizational title and structure. 

The UWF Haas Center for Business Research
The University's Haas Center for Business Research provides another valuable service to the area.  The mission of the Haas Center is to collect, analyze, and disseminate information on the Northwest Florida business and economic environment.  It is the leading regional resource for social and demographic information for Northwest Florida.

The University of Florida-Research Engineering & Education Facility
The UF-REEF offers Masters and Doctorate degree programs and courses in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Industrial and Systems Engineering.  The REEF is located adjacent to the Eglin Air Force Base in Shalimar and is the location for the future Emerald Coast Technology & Research Center.

Troy State University
Troy University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, bachelor's, master's and education specialist degrees.

Other University Branch Campuses

• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
• The University of Oklahoma
• The University of Arkansas

Technology Centers

Okaloosa Applied Technology Center
The Okaloosa Applied Technology Center is one of the finest technical institutions in the state of Florida. OATC offers an array of learning activities connecting classroom instruction to the art of work. High school and adult students are actively engaged in occupational preparation which aligns technical training and academic studies. Nearly 100 business and industrial partners help guide students toward a high level of technical proficiency which qualifies them for employment or advancement in specific occupations.

Other Technical Facilities

• The Bay Area Vocational Technical School
• The Crestview Vocational Technical Center

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