Skip to main content

Below Average

#3493 of 3,777 schools in FL

Bay High School

High School · BAY

1200 HARRISON AVE, Panama City, FL 32401

Enrollment

1,298

Student-Teacher

22.4:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Panama City

#30 of 31

public schools

Florida high schools

#575 of 748

In district

#43 of 44

BAY

About Bay High School

Bay High School serves 1,298 students in grades 9-12 in Panama City, Florida, operating with 58 full-time equivalent teachers for a student-teacher ratio of 22.4:1. This regular public high school ranks in the 67th percentile among Florida high schools, placing it at #1274 out of 3816 schools statewide with a solid 6.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Bay High School demonstrates steady performance with a 7.5 out of 10 academic score.

In English Language Arts and Reading, 63% of students across all grades perform at proficient levels or above, indicating a strong foundation in literacy skills that will serve students well in their post-secondary pursuits. The school draws from a diverse community along Harrison Avenue where the median household income is $46,603 and median home values sit at $172,200. About 19% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 19.3%, reflecting a working-class community with varied economic circumstances.

Bay High School operates within Panama City's small city environment, providing students with both urban opportunities and a more intimate community feel that characterizes much of Bay County's educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Bay High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Bay High School is 22.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Reading vs. State Avg-18.6 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,446

Bay High School — Students at Bay High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.3%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 6 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
45%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
34%
2024
ELA
63%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.

How Bay High School Compares

See how Bay High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in FL
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers

Location

1200 HARRISON AVE, Panama City, FL 32401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bay High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CHAUTAUQUA CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PALM BAY PREPARATORY ACADEMY 6-12 (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ROSENWALD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Panama City, see our Panama City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
CHAUTAUQUA CHARTER SCHOOL Panama City 0.1 mi 7.1
BAY REGIONAL JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Panama City 0.3 mi
JINKS MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City 0.6 mi 6.2
PALM BAY PREPARATORY ACADEMY 6-12 Panama City 1.0 mi 6.6
PALM BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 1.0 mi 7.2
BAY VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Panama City 1.0 mi
BAY VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Panama City 1.0 mi
BAY VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM (DISTRICT PROVIDED) Panama City 1.0 mi 4.8
ROSENWALD HIGH SCHOOL Panama City 1.1 mi 6.1
AMIKIDS MARITIME ACADEMY Panama City 1.3 mi
OSCAR PATTERSON ACADEMY Panama City 1.3 mi 5.1
KALEIDOSCOPE SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY Panama City 1.4 mi 5.0
HOLY NATIVITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Panama City 1.6 mi 7.9
NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 1.5 mi 5.6
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Panama City 1.5 mi 5.0
EAGLE NEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Panama City 1.7 mi 6.6
MERRIAM CHERRY STREET ELEMENTARY Panama City 1.9 mi 4.0
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Panama City 1.8 mi 7.6
ST. ANDREW SCHOOL AT OAKLAND TERRACE Panama City 1.9 mi 5.2
RISING LEADERS ACADEMY Panama City 2.0 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,901

Median Home Value

$207,000

Median Rent

$1,194/mo

Population

18,394

College Educated

19.9%

Homeownership

58.9%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

42.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bay High School has a median household income of $49,901. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,000, with a median rent of $1,194/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CLEWISTON HIGH SCHOOL Clewiston, FL 4.2
GLADES CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Belle Glade, FL 4.2
LELY HIGH SCHOOL Naples, FL 4.2
MIAMI KILLIAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Miami, FL 4.2
MIAMI SUNSET SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Miami, FL 4.2
NORTH MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH North Miami Beach, FL 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bay High School

What grades does Bay High School serve?

Bay High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bay High School?

Bay High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,298 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bay High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bay High School is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bay High School rank in FL?

Bay High School is ranked #3493 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Bay High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bay High School has a composite rating of 4.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bay High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bay High School has 41.0% math proficiency and 53.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bay High School a charter school?

No, Bay High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bay High School a Title I school?

No, Bay High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bay High School?

51.6% of students at Bay High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
61 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,841/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Panama City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,298
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Bay County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BAY
District Enrollment
27,675
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,117
District Rank
#43 of 44

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.