Former St. Joe Company Headquarters Is Home to One of Florida’s Top-Ranked Public High Schools

St. Joe highlights the Magnet Innovation Center’s top U.S. News ranking as an example of its long-term, community-focused investment approach in Northwest Florida.

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Magnet Innovation Center Ranks #17 Among Florida Public High Schools in Latest U.S. News & World Report Rankings

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seven years ago, The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) (“St. Joe”) (the “Company”) made its former corporate headquarters available to the Walton County School District for the creation of an innovative public STEAM high school. The Magnet Innovation Center (“MIC”) has now been recognized as one of the top public high schools in Florida, ranked #17 among Florida public high schools and #136 nationally in the newly released 2026–2027 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings. The recognition places the MIC among the highest-performing schools evaluated from approximately 27,000 eligible public high schools nationwide and 1,267 high schools in Florida.

“When we made the decision to move our headquarters, we saw an opportunity to do something transformative with the campus that could create far greater value for the region than another office building,” said Jorge Gonzalez, St. Joe President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. “To see a public school operating there that ranks among the very best in Florida is incredibly rewarding. We congratulate the superintendent, educators, administrators and students whose dedication and hard work have made the school’s tremendous success possible.”

Russell Hughes, Superintendent of Walton County School District, championed the partnership that began in 2019, when St. Joe and the school district announced plans for the county’s first STEAM-focused public school. This latest recognition of the MIC comes amid broader academic success for Walton County public schools under the leadership of Hughes and the Walton County School Board. The district is ranked among Florida’s highest-performing school districts for the 2025–2026 school year, continuing a multi-year record of academic achievement.

“When we first announced the Magnet Innovation Center, we envisioned a public school that would give students an innovative environment to develop the technical skills, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities they will need for the careers of the future,” said Hughes. “To see that vision realized, and the MIC now recognized among the top public high schools in Florida and the nation is a tremendous achievement and another point of pride for our district. This recognition speaks to the dedication of our students, teachers and administrators and demonstrates what can be accomplished through strong partnerships like the one we have built with St. Joe.”

St. Joe’s involvement in the establishment of the MIC reflects the Company’s broader approach to long-term investment in Northwest Florida, which includes not only development, but also supporting the infrastructure, institutions and resources that contribute to a strong and sustainable region.

“We have never viewed our responsibility in this region as simply developing homes, hotels or commercial buildings,” said Gonzalez. “Great communities need much more than that. They need strong public schools, access to quality healthcare, infrastructure, jobs, recreation and places that bring people together. Our goal is to help create those interconnected ecosystems and connect people to place in ways that contribute to the long-term wellbeing of the communities we call home.”

The recognition of the Magnet Innovation Center as one of Florida’s top public high schools represents a significant milestone for the school and underscores the value of St. Joe’s partnerships with school districts throughout the communities in which the Company operates. It also provides a measurable example of the long-term outcomes that can result from public-private collaboration and strategic investment in the institutions that support a growing region. To learn more about the Magnet Innovation Center, visit mic.walton.k12.fl.us.

About The St. Joe Company

The St. Joe Company is a diversified Florida real estate development, asset management and operating company with real estate assets and operations in Northwest Florida. The Company intends to use existing assets for residential, hospitality and commercial ventures and has significant residential and commercial land-use entitlements. The Company actively seeks higher and better uses for its real estate assets through a range of development activities. More information about The St. Joe Company can be found on its website at joe.com.

©2026 The St Joe Company. “JOE^®”, “St. Joe^®”, the “Taking Flight Design^®” and “St. Joe (and Taking Flight Design)^®” are registered service marks of The St. Joe Company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260903499887/en/

St. Joe Investor Relations Contact:
Marek Bakun
Chief Financial Officer
1-866-417-7132
marek.bakun@joe.com

St. Joe Media Relations Contact:
Mary Beth Lovingood
Corporate Director of Marketing & Communications
1-850-231-6583
marybeth.lovingood@joe.com

Source: The St. Joe Company

Key Terms

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