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J.R. Arnold High School

Q: Is J.R. Arnold High School a good school?

J.R. Arnold High School ranks 327 th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

327^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 838 Florida High Schools

Better than 61% of Florida high schools

Summary

J.R. Arnold High School in Panama City Beach, FL, is a large traditional public high school serving 1,629 students in grades 9-12, located in a relatively more affluent area of the Bay district with about 32% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

This school stands out for its exceptional graduation rate, which has consistently exceeded both district and state averages for five years, reaching 96.9% in 2024-2025—tying with its main rival, A. Crawford Mosley High School. However, J.R. Arnold shows a clear academic split: it excels in science, with 80% of students proficient in Biology 1 (well above state averages), and performs solidly in English Language Arts (65% proficiency for 10th graders). Yet it struggles significantly in math, with only 41% proficient in Algebra 1—far below the district (58%) and state (63%) averages. This math weakness is a persistent concern that may affect higher-level coursework. The school also has moderate chronic absenteeism (34.7%), better than struggling peers like Rosenwald High School (78.9%) but higher than elite options like The Collegiate School at FSU PC (12.4%).

Compared to nearby schools, J.R. Arnold is a cost-effective performer, spending just $8,080 per student—far less than Palm Bay Preparatory Academy 6-12 ($11,366) or Central High School ($13,762)—while achieving stronger outcomes. Its main competitor, Mosley, holds a slight edge in academics (e.g., 70% vs. 65% in ELA) and state ranking (274 vs. 327), but both are strong traditional schools. For families seeking a reliable, efficient school with a strong graduation track record and notable science strengths, J.R. Arnold is a solid choice, though the math gap warrants attention.

1,629

Students ?

21.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,080

Per pupil spending ?

32%

Free/discounted lunch ?

550 N Alf Coleman Rd
Panama City Beach, FL 32407

(850) 767-3700

District: Bay

Feeder schools for J.R. Arnold High School:

Elementary:	Breakfast Point Academy
	Hutchison Beach Elementary School
	Patronis Elementary School
Alternative:	Surfside Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

64.3%

Hispanic:

15.8%

African American:

10.0%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare J.R. Arnold High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 64th percentile in 2016 → 61st in 2026

Strengths

✓97% graduate in 4 years — above the Florida average (92%)

✓Above the Florida median (61st percentile)

Worth a look

!Algebra 1 scores 22 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school63%

District avg63%

Florida avg64%

327^th of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Top 39%▼ down 3 pts since 2016

From top 36% (2016) to top 39% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 9High 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	50.9	327 of 838	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.5	388 of 844	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.2	311 of 807	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.2	295 of 792	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.2	265 of 774	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	53.6	237 of 746	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	47.4	311 of 734	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.6	185 of 716	74.2%	★★★★☆
2017	57.7	203 of 714	71.6%	★★★★☆
2016	53.2	249 of 693	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2014	55.4	273 of 687	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2013	57.7	224 of 648	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	72.7	77 of 606	87.3%	★★★★☆
2011	74.4	146 of 622	76.5%	★★★★☆
2010	80.3	98 of 620	84.2%	★★★★☆
2009	81.5	88 of 587	85.0%	★★★★☆
2008	80.4	92 of 577	84.1%	★★★★☆
2007	81.1	87 of 563	84.5%	★★★★☆
2006	69.6	129 of 477	73.0%	★★★★☆
2005	76.6	103 of 487	78.9%	★★★★☆
2004	78.4	87 of 484	82.0%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Biology 180%+6 vs state

US History74%~ state avg

English Language Arts63%+3 vs state

Geometry52%-4 vs state

Algebra 141%-22 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Sunday, October 11, 2020

Graduated from Arnold high in 2010! Nothing better than going to school on the beach. Great teachers and educators. Go dolphins! Close Quote

Schools Near J.R. Arnold High 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 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	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 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 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th 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
J.R. Arnold High School	Public	9-12	550 N Alf Coleman Rd	Panama City Beach	32407	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-3700	1,629	77	21.1	32.0%	1,048 (64.3%)	163 (10.0%)	257 (15.8%)	46 (2.8%)	7 (0.4%)	3 (0.2%)	105 (6.4%)	50.9	327^th of 838 public high schools	61.0%		45.5	388^th of 844 public high schools	54.0%	61				62.0	65.0					41.0	52.0	80.0	74.0		$8,080	$448	$7,633
The Collegiate School At Fsu Pc	Public, Charter	9-12	2430 St Andrews Blvd	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Fsu Bay	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(850) 770-2900	178	11	16.9	12.4%	121 (68.0%)	19 (10.7%)	21 (11.8%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	14 (7.9%)	89.4	17^th of 838 public high schools	98.0%		89.6	19^th of 844 public high schools	97.7%	2				96.0	86.0					95.0	97.0	92.0	95.0
Central High School	Public, Charter	9-12	1250 W 17th St	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	Yes	No	No	Yes	(850) 215-0770	99	4	24.7	40.4%	47 (47.5%)	18 (18.2%)	22 (22.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (12.1%)	4.2	749^th of 838 public high schools	10.6%		6.5	718^th of 844 public high schools	14.9%	31					15.0					10.0	4.0	39.0	30.0		$13,762	$1,552	$12,211
Bay Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided)	Public, Virtual	6-12	1311 Balboa Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	Yes	No	(850) 767-4377	14	0		42.9%	13 (92.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (7.1%)								(n/a)															$5,417	$36	$5,381
Palm Bay Preparatory Academy 6-12	Public, Charter	6-12	1104 Balboa Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	Yes	No	No	Yes	(850) 215-0770	203	11	18.4	54.7%	86 (42.4%)	39 (19.2%)	60 (29.6%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (7.9%)	68.3	152^nd of 838 public high schools	81.9%		48.3	355^th of 844 public high schools	57.9%	203	81.0	75.0	66.0	67.0	100.0	68.0	76.0	54.0	54.0	67.0	81.0	75.0		88.0	$11,366	$1,813	$9,554
Bay High School	Public	9-12	1200 Harrison Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-4600	1,289	65	19.8	44.2%	562 (43.6%)	343 (26.6%)	244 (18.9%)	24 (1.9%)	7 (0.5%)	3 (0.2%)	106 (8.2%)	38.6	490^th of 838 public high schools	41.5%		40.5	459^th of 844 public high schools	45.6%	31				57.0	60.0					32.0	31.0	68.0	72.0		$9,050	$813	$8,237
Chautauqua Charter School	Public, Charter	9-12	1118 Magnolia Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	Yes	No	No	No	(850) 785-5056	52	5	10.4	32.7%	33 (63.5%)	8 (15.4%)	9 (17.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.8%)								(n/a)
Amikids Maritime Academy	Public, Charter	9-12	200 E Beach Dr	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(850) 919-2213	26	5	5.2	23.1%	16 (61.5%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (19.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (19.2%)	55.1	275^th of 838 public high schools	67.2%					(n/a)				68.0	42.0					57.0			84.0		$30,671	$00	$30,671
New Horizons Learning Center	Public	6-12	3200 Minnesota Ave	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1110	93	17	5.4	79.6%	50 (53.8%)	32 (34.4%)	6 (6.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (5.4%)								(n/a)															$36,492	$4,648	$31,845
A. Crawford Mosley High School	Public	9-12	501 Mosley Dr	Lynn Haven	32444	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-4400	1,864	81	23.0	29.7%	1,291 (69.3%)	189 (10.1%)	208 (11.2%)	33 (1.8%)	6 (0.3%)	8 (0.4%)	129 (6.9%)	55.1	274^th of 838 public high schools	67.3%		54.4	279^th of 844 public high schools	66.9%	5				67.0	70.0					49.0	51.0	81.0	73.0		$7,164	$340	$6,825

Frequently Asked Questions about J.R. Arnold High School

How many students attend J.R. Arnold High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,629 students attended J.R. Arnold High School.

What schools feed into J.R. Arnold High School?

J.R. Arnold High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Breakfast Point Academy
Elementary : Hutchison Beach Elementary School
Elementary : Patronis Elementary School
Alternative : Surfside Middle School

Is J.R. Arnold High School a good school?

J.R. Arnold High School ranks 327^th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is J.R. Arnold High School in?

Bay

What is the racial makeup of J.R. Arnold High School?

Students at J.R. Arnold High School are 64% White, 16% Hispanic, 10% African American, 6% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

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Latest Florida data All new data »

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

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

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.