Summary:
The seven public schools in Panama City Beach, Florida, part of the Bay County School District, serve a total of 5,467 students across five elementary schools, one high school, and one alternative school, presenting a mixed landscape of academic performance where standout schools like Patronis Elementary School dramatically outshine others.
For parents, the most important takeaway is the clear divide in school quality. Patronis Elementary School is the clear top performer, consistently earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the top 20% of Florida elementary schools, with test scores often 15-25 percentage points above district and state averages. In contrast, A. Gary Walsingham Academy is the only 2-star school in the city, with proficiency rates frequently 10-20 points below the district average, despite having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate. J.R. Arnold High School offers a solid mid-tier option with a strong 96.9% graduation rate, though its Algebra 1 proficiency (41%) is a notable weakness. The alternative Surfside Middle School presents a unique split: it excels in advanced math (90% proficient in Algebra 1) but struggles with standard grade-level math.
Key metrics reveal that higher spending does not guarantee better results, as the two highest-spending schools (A. Gary Walsingham Academy and West Bay Elementary School) are the lowest-performing, while top-performing Patronis Elementary School spends over $1,400 less per student. Chronic absenteeism is a citywide issue, with four of seven schools exceeding the state average of 31.4%, led by West Bay Elementary School at 39.1%. Interestingly, schools in more established central areas like Patronis Elementary School and Breakfast Point Academy tend to have lower absenteeism and higher performance compared to schools in newer or outlying areas.
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