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Surfside Middle School

Q: Is Surfside Middle School a good school?

Surfside Middle School ranks 532 nd of 1216 Florida alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

532^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Alternative Schools

Better than 56% of Florida alternative schools

Summary

Surfside Middle School in Panama City Beach, FL, is a unique alternative school within the Bay district, serving 755 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade with a specialized focus on students with specific academic or behavioral needs.

One of the most striking findings is Surfside's exceptional performance in advanced math, with a 90% proficiency rate in Algebra 1 and a 96% proficiency rate in Geometry—far exceeding district and state averages, and significantly higher than the nearby Deane Bozeman School (58% and 54%). However, this success contrasts sharply with struggles in grade-level math, where only 38% of 6th graders are proficient, which is 22 points below district and state averages. This "math paradox" suggests the school has a highly effective program for advanced math students, but the general math curriculum for younger grades may need improvement. Additionally, chronic absenteeism is a major concern at 35.8%, higher than the district and state averages, and has been steadily rising since 2020-2021.

Compared to Rising Leaders Academy, another alternative school in the area, Surfside shows inconsistent results. Rising Leaders has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (27.7%) and generally outperforms Surfside in most grade-level subjects, such as 8th Grade ELA (95% vs. 61%) and 8th Grade Math (95% vs. 72%). Surfside's per-student spending of $10,494 is higher than Deane Bozeman ($9,050) and Rising Leaders ($9,205), but far lower than Margaret K. Lewis In Millville ($42,176), which serves a very specialized population. The school's rapidly declining free/reduced lunch population—dropping from 48.4% to 34.17% in just two years—also signals a potential demographic shift. Overall, Surfside excels in advanced math but faces significant challenges with attendance and grade-level math that need attention for long-term success.

755

Students ?

16.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,494

Per pupil spending ?

34.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

300 Nautilus St
Panama City Beach, FL 32413

(850) 767-5180

District: Bay

Students who attend Surfside Middle School usually attend:

High:

J.R. Arnold High School

Feeder schools for Surfside Middle School:

Elementary:	Hutchison Beach Elementary School
	Patronis Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.7%

Hispanic:

18.7%

African American:

8.6%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Surfside Middle School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 67th percentile in 2018 → 70th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Florida median (56th percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school64%

District avg61%

Florida avg61%

Middle school

532^nd of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Top 44%▼ down 9 pts since 2016

From top 35% (2016) to top 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

252^nd of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Top 30%▲ up 5 pts since 2025

From top 35% (2025) to top 30% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3Alternative 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)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	55.7	532 of 1216	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	60.8	445 of 1205	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.3	431 of 1196	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.2	468 of 1177	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.4	402 of 1148	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.6	381 of 1136	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	67.0	338 of 1099	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.2	340 of 1035	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	62.7	361 of 1031	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2016	62.1	344 of 997	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	58.2	413 of 999	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	60.9	364 of 956	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2012	66.2	299 of 897	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2011	69.6	272 of 891	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2010	69.9	253 of 839	69.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	80.7	128 of 780	83.6%	★★★★☆
2008	75.8	159 of 740	78.5%	★★★★☆
2007	71.0	209 of 736	71.6%	★★★★☆
2006	72.2	175 of 675	74.1%	★★★★☆
2005	70.9	158 of 602	73.8%	★★★★☆
2004	73.9	141 of 593	76.2%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	57.2	252 of 838	69.9%	★★★★☆
2025	52.5	299 of 844	64.6%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Geometry96%+40 vs state

Algebra 190%+27 vs state

Civics71%-6 vs state

English Language Arts63%~ state avg

Science61%+9 vs state

Math55%-4 vs state

2.5

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★0

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, September 10, 2013

This is a good school. I know that there are people who have issues with it, but I haven't heard of a school yet that someone somewhere doesn't have issues with. The teachers in the advanced classes care about the students try their best to teach them all regardless of the rules and regulations thrown on them by federal, state, and local know-it-alls. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, February 23, 2012

This school needs help. The principal doesn't like people at all and some of the teachers think that they can make up there own rules. Close Quote

Schools Near Surfside Middle 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 ()				Ranking ()				FAST English Language Arts (2026)								FAST Math (2026)						Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Biology 1 (2026)	EOC US History (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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	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 English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Surfside Middle School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	300 Nautilus St	Panama City Beach	32413	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-5180	755	46	16.4	34.2%	481 (63.7%)	65 (8.6%)	141 (18.7%)	16 (2.1%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (6.2%)								(n/a)				67.0	62.0	61.0						38.0	45.0	72.0		61.0	90.0	96.0			71.0	$10,494	$803	$9,691
Rising Leaders Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1527 Lincoln Ave	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	Yes	No	No	No	(850) 215-0844	311	20	15.5	31.8%	162 (52.1%)	50 (16.1%)	50 (16.1%)	18 (5.8%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (9.3%)								(n/a)	82.0	54.0	76.0	89.0	85.0	95.0			85.0	67.0	82.0	71.0	30.0	95.0	71.0	90.0	80.0			100.0	93.0	$9,205	$50	$9,155
Bay Virtual Instruction Program	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	1311 Balboa Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	Yes	No	(850) 747-4460	2	0			0 (0.0%)	2 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Bay Virtual Franchise	Public, Virtual, Alternative	3-12	1311 Balboa Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	Yes	No	(850) 767-4460	25	0		12.0%	21 (84.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (16.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																						$8,104	$24	$8,080
Exceptional Student Education	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1311 Balboa Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 872-4100	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Bay Regional Juvenile Detention Center	Public, Alternative	K-12	450 E 11th St	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 872-4706	0	1	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Margaret K. Lewis In Millville	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	203 N East Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1792	170	28	6.0	51.8%	106 (62.4%)	31 (18.2%)	17 (10.0%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (8.2%)								(n/a)																						$42,176	$6,965	$35,211
Deane Bozeman School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	13410 Highway 77	Panama City	32409	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-1300	1,690	84	20.1	37.2%	1,515 (89.6%)	17 (1.0%)	90 (5.3%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	62 (3.7%)								(n/a)	62.0	68.0	74.0	62.0	61.0	66.0	58.0	69.0	75.0	65.0	63.0	72.0	74.0	83.0	69.0	61.0	58.0	54.0	75.0	87.0	85.0	$9,050	$548	$8,500

Frequently Asked Questions about Surfside Middle School

Is Surfside Middle School a good school?

Surfside Middle School ranks 532^nd of 1216 Florida alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Surfside Middle School in?

Bay

How many students attend Surfside Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 755 students attended Surfside Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Surfside Middle School?

Students at Surfside Middle School are 64% White, 19% Hispanic, 9% African American, 6% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2024–25 attendance dataAug 18, 2026

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

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.