Summary:
In zip code 32407, Panama City Beach, Florida, there is one high school, J.R. Arnold High School, serving grades 9 through 12 with a substantial enrollment of 1,629 students as part of the Bay County School District.
J.R. Arnold High School stands out for its excellent graduation rate of 96.9%, well above both the district (93.8%) and state (92.2%) averages. The school also excels in science, with 80% of students proficient in Biology 1, outperforming the district and state by 6 points. However, there is a notable disparity in math performance: only 41% of students are proficient in Algebra 1 and 52% in Geometry, both below district and state averages. In contrast, English Language Arts scores are solid, with 65% of 10th graders and 62% of 9th graders meeting proficiency, exceeding state averages. The school ranks in the 61st percentile statewide and the 60th percentile within the district.
A key finding is the "graduation vs. absenteeism" paradox: despite the high graduation rate, 34.7% of students are chronically absent, higher than the state average of 31.4%. This suggests many students may be disengaged or face attendance barriers, even as the school successfully ensures eventual graduation. On a positive note, the school showed impressive year-over-year improvement across nearly all subjects between 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, with Geometry proficiency jumping 14 points and ELA 10th grade rising 9 points. With a spending per student of $8,080—below the national average—the school appears to use resources efficiently, though the math scores indicate a clear area needing targeted support.
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