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School starts August 11, 2025 across Okaloosa County—and here in Niceville, it’s time to gear up for the new school year. As a local REALTOR® and private chef, I understand that back-to-school season brings bustling schedules, jam-packed mornings, and the need for both stability and nutrition at home.

Back-to-School on the Emerald Coast: Families, Flavor & Future Homes

School starts August 11, 2025 across Okaloosa County—and here in Niceville, it’s time to gear up for the new school year. As a local REALTOR® and private chef, I understand that back-to-school season brings bustling schedules, jam-packed mornings, and the need for both stability and nutrition at home.

📚 Education in Our Community

The Okaloosa County School District continues to excel—earning an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education, with 92% of schools earning an A or B grade this year Wikipedia+14okaloosaschools.com+14U.S. News+14. Ranked among the top 10 districts in Florida for academic performance, OCSD shines in middle school reading, math, and science—holding statewide top-six placements in several key categories Get The Coast+1okaloosaschools.com+1.

Key Local Schools:

  • Niceville Senior High School (NHS) is ranked the top high school in Okaloosa County, placed in the top 20% across Florida, with stellar math (73%) and reading (66%) proficiency scores and a 97% graduation rateWikipedia+14U.S. News+14Public School Review+14.

  • C. W. Ruckel Middle School, located in Niceville, earned high marks with strong proficiency in both math (81%) and reading (68%) and is ranked in the top 20% of county schools Public School Review.

Our county’s strong educational offerings—from stellar campuses to a supportive school board—make Niceville and the broader Emerald Coast community ideal for growing families.

🏫 Meet Your School Board

The Okaloosa County School Board governs with a dedication to academic excellence and community transparency:

Their leadership ensures every student—from pre-K through high school—thrives in an environment built for success.

🍽️ Nourish Your Back-to-School Momentum

Between lunchboxes, carpools, after-school practices, and real estate showings—I’ve got your meals and home plans covered. My Cheesy Cajun Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake (gluten-free and high-protein) has been a lifesaver for back-to-school chaos. It’s perfect for meal prepping, reheats beautifully, and fuels busy families all week long.

➡️ Need a nutrient‑dense dinner idea + help navigating the Niceville real estate market (with my insider access to pre‑market listings)? I’ve got you covered.

🗓️ Start-of-School Snapshot

Event

Date

Pre‑School Planning & Teacher Work Days

Aug 5–8, 2025

First Day of School for Students

Monday, August 11, 2025 facebook.com+2Core Docs+2Core Docs+2

Why This Matters

Moving to or within Niceville means access to:

  • A top-rated school district with strong academics and extracurricular pathways

  • Community trust in local leadership and consistent A+ ratings

  • A vibrant lifestyle: beaches, trails, family-friendly neighborhoods—and yes, nutritious and flavorful meals

Need to Chat?

If you’re thinking about exploring homes before the market gets busy—or want more weekly meal ideas to feed your crew—reach out to me anytime.

Chef Fallon Ellender, REALTOR®Fe Table Eats | Keys & Cuisine📧 fallon@harrisonlilly.com | 📞 985-870-0217

Let’s make your move—and your meals—as seamless (and delicious) as possible.


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