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West Bay Elementary School

Q: Is West Bay Elementary School a good school?

West Bay Elementary School ranks 1105 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1105^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 51% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

West Bay Elementary School in Panama City Beach, FL, serves 362 students in grades PK-5 and is part of the Bay school district, which ranks in the 60th percentile statewide.

West Bay Elementary shows a unique and uneven academic profile. Its standout strength is 5th-grade math, where 82% of students are proficient—far exceeding the district (63%) and state (62%) averages, and outpacing nearby schools like Patronis Elementary School (48%) and Hutchison Beach Elementary School (64%). However, 3rd-grade math proficiency (53%) is the lowest among comparable local schools, creating a 29-percentage-point gap that suggests inconsistent instruction or student preparation. The school has a 3-star rating and ranks in the 51st percentile statewide, a partial recovery from a dip to the 42nd percentile in 2023-2024. A major concern is chronic absenteeism: 39.1% of students were chronically absent in 2023-2024, far higher than high-performing peers like Lynn Haven Elementary School (26.4%) and University Academy Sabl Inc (7.1%). This absenteeism rate has remained above 36% for several years, indicating a deep-rooted challenge.

The school is also experiencing rapid demographic change, with the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced lunch dropping from 53.78% to 37.29% in one year—the largest shift of any nearby school. This suggests a changing community that could influence future performance. While West Bay shows potential, especially in upper-grade math, its high absenteeism and volatile scores make it a less stable option compared to consistently higher-performing neighbors like Patronis or Hutchison Beach. Per-student spending ($11,599) is in line with similar schools, so resource allocation is not the primary issue. For parents, West Bay offers strong math outcomes for some students, but the absenteeism and uneven performance across grades are significant factors to consider.

362

Students ?

15.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,599

Per pupil spending ?

37.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

14813 School Dr
Panama City Beach, FL 32413

(850) 767-1850

District: Bay

Racial breakdown:

White:

65.7%

Hispanic:

22.7%

Two or more races:

5.8%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 65th percentile in 2018 → 51st in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Florida median (51st percentile)

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (39% vs 31% Florida)

!Ranking has slipped — down 14 percentile points since 2018

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school62%

District avg61%

Florida avg62%

1,105^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 49%▼ down 14 pts since 2018

From top 35% (2018) to top 49% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

10^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	51.3	1105 of 2240	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.5	891 of 2258	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	40.9	1315 of 2256	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.9	1126 of 2240	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	46.7	1145 of 2219	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	59.2	881 of 2247	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	63.7	760 of 2182	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	63.5	746 of 2118	64.8%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math72%+8 vs state

Science55%-5 vs state

English Language Arts55%-6 vs state

★

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Schools Near West Bay 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 Geometry (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	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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
West Bay Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	14813 School Dr	Panama City Beach	32413	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1850	362	23	15.7	37.3%	238 (65.7%)	12 (3.3%)	82 (22.7%)	7 (1.9%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	21 (5.8%)	51.3	1105^th of 2240 public elementary schools	50.7%		59.5	891^st of 2258 public elementary schools	60.5%	214	57.0	57.0	51.0				53.0	75.0	82.0				55.0					$11,599	$1,207	$10,393
Hutchison Beach Elementary School	Public	K-5	12900 Middle Beach Rd	Panama City Beach	32407	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-5195	573	34	16.8	43.3%	306 (53.4%)	111 (19.4%)	105 (18.3%)	11 (1.9%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (6.6%)	63.3	803^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	64.2%		69.4	656^th of 2258 public elementary schools	70.9%	147	65.0	68.0	75.0				71.0	57.0	58.0				74.0					$10,394	$1,090	$9,304
Breakfast Point Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	601 N Richard Jackson Blvd	Panama City Beach	32407	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-1190	1,089	70	15.5	38.4%	711 (65.3%)	124 (11.4%)	147 (13.5%)	30 (2.8%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	74 (6.8%)	65.2	750^th of 2240 public elementary schools	66.5%		60.3	875^th of 2258 public elementary schools	61.2%	125	60.0	62.0	67.0	70.0	71.0	78.0	70.0	68.0	72.0	67.0	75.0	67.0	77.0	72.0	95.0	100.0	87.0	$10,215	$792	$9,422
A. Gary Walsingham Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	44 Chip Seal Pkwy	Panama City Beach	32407	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-5475	470	28	16.7	40.2%	262 (55.7%)	79 (16.8%)	72 (15.3%)	11 (2.3%)	3 (0.6%)	4 (0.9%)	39 (8.3%)	36.2	1498^th of 2240 public elementary schools	33.1%		36.7	1458^th of 2258 public elementary schools	35.4%	40	61.0	42.0	48.0				65.0	51.0	48.0				53.0					$11,607	$882	$10,725
Patronis Elementary School	Public	K-5	7400 Patronis Dr	Panama City Beach	32408	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-5075	589	38	15.5	33.3%	414 (70.3%)	38 (6.5%)	67 (11.4%)	8 (1.4%)	3 (0.5%)	4 (0.7%)	55 (9.3%)	78.6	414^th of 2240 public elementary schools	81.5%		83.5	323^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	85.7%	91	68.0	77.0	76.0				80.0	72.0	70.0				77.0					$10,141	$714	$9,427
Lucille Moore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1900 Michigan Ave	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1428	543	37	14.6	67.8%	142 (26.2%)	158 (29.1%)	192 (35.4%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (8.7%)	7.6	2177^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.8%		22.7	1830^th of 2258 public elementary schools	19.0%	347	25.0	31.0	33.0				43.0	40.0	34.0				39.0					$12,885	$1,711	$11,174
University Academy Sabl Inc	Public, Charter	K-8	1980 Discovery Loop	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	Yes	No	No	No	(850) 481-4410	711	39	18.2	15.3%	559 (78.6%)	48 (6.8%)	46 (6.5%)	21 (3.0%)	1 (0.1%)	6 (0.8%)	30 (4.2%)	92.9	69^th of 2240 public elementary schools	96.9%		95.2	41^st of 2258 public elementary schools	98.2%	28	89.0	86.0	75.0	92.0	82.0	92.0	93.0	94.0	93.0	100.0	100.0		77.0	87.0	93.0	100.0	99.0	$16,034	$636	$15,398
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
St. Andrew School At Oakland Terrace	Public	PK, KG-5	2010 W 12th St	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-4595	55	12	4.5	74.5%	22 (40.0%)	20 (36.4%)	2 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (18.2%)	0.6	2228^th of 2240 public elementary schools	0.5%		1.4	2245^th of 2258 public elementary schools	0.6%	17	21.0	0.0					21.0	0.0										$50,135	$6,694	$43,440
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

Frequently Asked Questions about West Bay Elementary School

How many students attend West Bay Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 362 students attended West Bay Elementary School.

Is West Bay Elementary School a good school?

West Bay Elementary School ranks 1105^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of West Bay Elementary School?

Students at West Bay Elementary School are 66% White, 23% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 3% African American, 2% Asian.

What district is West Bay Elementary School in?

Bay

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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.