Oscar Patterson Academy

Oscar Patterson Academy is a public elementary school in Panama City, FL, serving 394 students in grades PK through 4 within the Bay district, where 71% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The most critical challenge at Oscar Patterson Academy is an extraordinarily high chronic absenteeism rate of nearly 59%—almost double the district average of 35.3% and far above the state average of 31.4%. This directly impacts academic performance, as students who miss school consistently struggle to keep up. For example, only 33% of 3rd graders were proficient in math, compared to 65% district-wide and 66% statewide. Similarly, just 28% of 4th graders met ELA standards, versus 58% in the district and 60% statewide. While nearby schools like University Academy Sabl Inc (with only 7.1% chronic absenteeism and a 5-star rating) show what’s possible with a stable student body, Oscar Patterson’s struggles highlight the deep impact of poverty and attendance issues on learning. There is a small positive sign: 3rd grade proficiency improved from 20% to 35% in ELA and from 18% to 33% in math between the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, suggesting some interventions may be working with the youngest students.

Despite spending $13,754 per student—higher than many peers like Hiland Park Elementary ($11,663) and Northside Elementary ($11,170)—the school’s academic results remain among the lowest in the area. This suggests funds are likely directed toward addressing non-academic needs, such as social services, rather than directly boosting instruction. The contrast with Bay Haven Charter Academy, which spends $9,065 per student and achieves high performance, underscores that money alone isn’t the solution. For parents, the key takeaway is that Oscar Patterson Academy faces significant hurdles tied to attendance and poverty, but recent improvements in 3rd grade offer a glimmer of hope that targeted efforts may be starting to take hold.