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Waller Elementary School

Q: Is Waller Elementary School a good school?

Waller Elementary School ranks 1578 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1578^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 30% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Waller Elementary School is a rural PK-5 school in Youngstown, FL, serving 423 students within the Bay County School District, where 70% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. This school stands out for its dramatic recent academic improvement—jumping from the 11th percentile in Florida elementary rankings in 2017-2018 to the 52nd percentile in 2023-2024—though it has since slipped to the 30th percentile for 2025-2026. Waller also invests heavily in its students with a low student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 and high per-student spending of $13,783, the second highest among its immediate Bay County peers.

However, Waller’s progress is severely undermined by a crisis-level chronic absenteeism rate of 46.8% in 2023-2024, which is 11.5 percentage points higher than the district average and dramatically higher than top-performing nearby schools like North Bay Haven Charter Academy Elementary School (17.3%) and Bay Haven Charter Academy (21.8%). This absenteeism likely negates the benefits of low class sizes and high spending, as seen in 5th-grade math proficiency (39% in 2025-2026) being 23 points below the district average. In contrast, Waller consistently outperforms district and state averages in 5th-grade science (53% in 2025-2026), creating an unusual 14-point gap between science and math performance in the same grade.

Compared to peer schools with similar economic disadvantage, Waller performs significantly better than Cedar Grove Elementary School (74.75% free/reduced lunch) but lags behind Callaway Elementary School (67.2% free/reduced lunch) in key metrics like 5th-grade math (39% vs. 68%) despite having a much lower student-teacher ratio and higher spending. The school’s primary challenge is addressing attendance; without solving this, its investments in staffing and resources will continue to yield muted results, and it will struggle to close the achievement gap with higher-performing charter schools in the district.

423

Students ?

12.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,783

Per pupil spending ?

70.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

11332 E Highway 388
Youngstown, FL 32466

(850) 764-4341

District: Bay

Students who attend Waller Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:

Merritt Brown Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

82.7%

Hispanic:

10.9%

Two or more races:

5.4%

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Compare Waller Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 37th percentile in 2016 → 30th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (52% vs 62% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (47% vs 31% Florida)

!Ranking has slipped — down 7 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg61%

Florida avg62%

1,578^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 30%▼ down 8 pts since 2016

From bottom 37% (2016) to bottom 30% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

17^th of 24Elementary Schools in the Bay

28^th of 70Bay among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	33.2	1578 of 2240	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	36.9	1449 of 2258	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	50.2	1087 of 2256	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	37.8	1391 of 2240	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	21.9	1795 of 2219	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	33.9	1469 of 2247	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	18.1	1887 of 2182	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	15.7	1879 of 2118	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	21.9	1725 of 2112	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	38.1	1309 of 2087	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2014	34.8	1386 of 2064	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	41.0	1204 of 2029	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2012	43.9	1135 of 1984	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2011	46.4	1134 of 1985	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	60.3	816 of 1919	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	72.6	471 of 1847	74.5%	★★★★☆
2008	67.2	607 of 1789	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2007	66.4	630 of 1786	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2006	65.7	590 of 1688	65.0%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Science53%-7 vs state

English Language Arts52%-8 vs state

Math52%-12 vs state

★

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Schools Near Waller Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)						FAST Math (2026)					Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Waller Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	11332 E Highway 388	Youngstown	32466	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 764-4341	423	34	12.4	70.2%	350 (82.7%)	3 (0.7%)	46 (10.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.4%)	33.2	1578^th of 2240 public elementary schools	29.6%		36.9	1449^th of 2258 public elementary schools	35.8%	129	51.0	47.0	59.0				55.0	62.0	39.0			53.0				$13,783	$1,714	$12,069
Tommy Smith Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5044 Tommy Smith Dr	Panama City	32404	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1688	677	41	16.5	45.3%	475 (70.2%)	53 (7.8%)	73 (10.8%)	12 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	64 (9.5%)	32.4	1606^th of 2240 public elementary schools	28.3%		25.1	1780^th of 2258 public elementary schools	21.2%	174	48.0	53.0	61.0				58.0	37.0	51.0			55.0				$10,453	$1,204	$9,249
Deer Point Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4800 Highway 2321	Panama City	32404	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-5462	735	46	15.9	43.8%	513 (69.8%)	70 (9.5%)	89 (12.1%)	7 (1.0%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	52 (7.1%)	52.2	1089^th of 2240 public elementary schools	51.4%		37.9	1421^st of 2258 public elementary schools	37.1%	332	56.0	54.0	66.0				61.0	64.0	62.0			68.0				$10,859	$1,558	$9,301
North Bay Haven Charter Academy Elementary School	Public, Charter	K-5	1 Buccaneer Dr	Panama City	32404	Bay County	Bay	Yes	No	No	No	(850) 248-0205	696	39	18.0	29.9%	507 (72.8%)	29 (4.2%)	74 (10.6%)	11 (1.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	73 (10.5%)	84.8	267^th of 2240 public elementary schools	88.1%		83.7	319^th of 2258 public elementary schools	85.9%	52	84.0	79.0	73.0				94.0	92.0	83.0			60.0				$9,222	$00	$9,222
Southport Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1835 Bridge St	Southport	32409	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1636	531	31	17.1	47.8%	470 (88.5%)	2 (0.4%)	31 (5.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.6%)	23 (4.3%)	49	1166^th of 2240 public elementary schools	47.9%		54.9	990^th of 2258 public elementary schools	56.2%	176	51.0	56.0	73.0				67.0	57.0	63.0			53.0				$10,199	$1,286	$8,914
Lynn Haven Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	301 W 9th St	Lynn Haven	32444	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-1454	688	45	15.2	39.1%	529 (76.9%)	54 (7.8%)	50 (7.3%)	5 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (7.1%)	69.9	635^th of 2240 public elementary schools	71.7%		56	973^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	56.9%	338	80.0	66.0	63.0				74.0	66.0	71.0			70.0				$11,355	$1,533	$9,823
Bay Haven Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-5	2501 Hawks Landing Blvd	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	Yes	No	No	No	(850) 248-3500	766	46	16.6	40.2%	485 (63.3%)	84 (11.0%)	105 (13.7%)	28 (3.7%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.4%)	60 (7.8%)	69.3	648^th of 2240 public elementary schools	71.1%		67	716^th of 2258 public elementary schools	68.3%	68	73.0	60.0	65.0				87.0	68.0	71.0			65.0				$9,065	$3,683	$5,382
Hiland Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2507 E Baldwin Rd	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-4685	684	40	17.1	52.2%	340 (49.7%)	117 (17.1%)	145 (21.2%)	8 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.4%)	70 (10.2%)	37.3	1469^th of 2240 public elementary schools	34.4%		21.5	1858^th of 2258 public elementary schools	17.7%	389	41.0	64.0	63.0				50.0	56.0	50.0			54.0				$11,663	$1,679	$9,984
Carr Elementary & Middle School	Public	PK, KG-8	18987 NW Sr 73	Clarksville	32430	Calhoun County	Calhoun	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 674-5395	205	13	15.7	50.7%	183 (89.3%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (6.8%)	49.8	1144^th of 2240 public elementary schools	48.9%		59.5	893^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	60.5%	251	87.0	65.0	58.0	58.0	59.0	67.0	67.0	57.0	37.0	68.0	94.0	58.0	73.0	86.0	78.0	$12,779	$1,988	$10,791
Callaway Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7115 E Highway 22	Panama City	32404	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1241	622	31	20.0	67.2%	274 (44.1%)	140 (22.5%)	115 (18.5%)	3 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	88 (14.1%)	33.2	1579^th of 2240 public elementary schools	29.5%		43	1275^th of 2258 public elementary schools	43.5%	304	46.0	46.0	52.0				45.0	53.0	68.0			60.0				$11,187	$1,280	$9,908

Frequently Asked Questions about Waller Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Waller Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Waller Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Merritt Brown Middle School

Is Waller Elementary School a good school?

Waller Elementary School ranks 1578^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Waller Elementary School?

Students at Waller Elementary School are 83% White, 11% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

What district is Waller Elementary School in?

Bay

How many students attend Waller Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 423 students attended Waller Elementary School.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.