By the 1990s, Destin residents saw the need of a Destin High School. The growing population, coupled with an isolated location and deteriorating conditions at neighboring high schools, solidified the community’s resolve to turn a dream into a reality. As the voices of support grew in number, determination, and passion, the City Council approved the formation of the Destin High School Advisory Committee under the leadership of Dr. Prebble Q Ramswell in 2016. The committee researched concerns regarding overcrowding and capacity at the two schools serving Destin students – Niceville High School and Fort Walton Beach High School – as well as distance, wake-up times, length of commutes, and current school facility conditions. The committee also noted the fact that Destin students must cross two bridges to attend high school – bridges that often close during inclement weather, high wind, and emergencies.

Other factors the committee considered included the increasing population of school age children at the elementary and middle school levels, which in time would have an impact on the high schools, especially at the K-5 level. Due to the influx of students and need for increased capacity at Destin Elementary School (DES), fifth grade students were relocated to Destin Middle School (DMS). With a surging student population, DES and DMS are now over capacity. As of January 2019, both neighboring high schools were at capacity, creating an impact on options available through Florida Controlled Open Enrollment.

<<<<< Founding Board of Destin High School:  Chris Harris, Dr. Mitch Silver, Drew Palmer, Denise Fountain, Myra Williams, Sarah Stone, Heidi Locicero, Dr. Prebble Ramswell, Jim Luttrell (L to R)

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Due to these issues impacting students and families in the Destin area, the community rallied behind the idea of a new high school. Residents and community stakeholders stepped up to lend a hand in order to ensure the dream became a reality. The board raised nearly $40,000 in cash donations in only a few months, purely through grassroots efforts- an indication of the widespread support.

As support continued to grow, business owners, developers, non-profits, and even non-residents wanted to help see the vision come to fruition. The importance of well-rounded and unique curriculum options was abundantly clear, so community input was sought on potential programs of focus. This input led to the decision to offer career academies and career-themed courses with direct application to our local community in addition to the more traditional college preparatory course of study. Special areas of focus would include such subjects like biomedical sciences, environmental and marine sciences, cyber security, fishing and tourism, and construction. These programs will be well-supported through numerous local resources, lending themselves to increased connectivity and multiple options for postsecondary pathways. Destin High School’s educational program was designed to connect with the Destin area’s rich history, tradition, and culture that revolves around the military, fishing, and coastal environment, but it also embraced unique partnerships with local universities and other entities such as military and defense contractors, charter boat industry, the Gulfarium, and the Choctawhatchee Bay Alliance.