Average
#3103 of 3,777 schools in FL
Central High School
High School · BAY
1250 W. 17TH ST STE A, Panama City, FL 32405
Enrollment
106
Student-Teacher
106:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
106
Student-Teacher
106:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Panama City
#23 of 31
public schools
Florida high schools
#443 of 748
In district
#36 of 44
BAY
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Central High School
Central High School is an alternative high school located in Panama City, Florida, on the corner of West 17th Street. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, Central High has a unique approach to education with its single full-time teacher for an enrollment of 106 students, creating a very personalized learning environment. While the MySchoolScout rating and academic performance metrics suggest there's room for improvement—particularly in ELA/Reading and Math proficiency rates—the school is dedicated to supporting individual student needs.
Central High School operates as a charter school within Bay County and aims to provide alternative pathways for students who may not thrive in traditional settings. The small city setting offers a close-knit community where students can receive focused attention and support from their teachers and staff. Set against the backdrop of Panama City, Central High School is part of a supportive educational landscape that focuses on student development and personalized learning experiences.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 106 students, Central High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Central 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 Central High School is 106:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Central High School — Students at Central High School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.5/10.
How Central High School Compares
See how Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 15% (2019) to 15% (2021).
Location
1250 W. 17TH ST STE A, Panama City, FL 32405
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CHAUTAUQUA CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PALM BAY PREPARATORY ACADEMY 6-12 (rated 6.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BAY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.2/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Panama City, see our Panama City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32405 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,002
Median Home Value
$255,100
Median Rent
$1,418/mo
Population
29,336
College Educated
29.4%
Homeownership
59.8%
Avg Commute
22.9 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $71,002. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $255,100, with a median rent of $1,418/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| CENTER ACADEMY - ST JOHNS BLUFF Jacksonville, FL | 5.0 |
| CENTER ACADEMY-RIVERVIEW Riverview, FL | 5.0 |
| COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE ANNEX Pensacola, FL | 5.1 |
| FRESH START COMMUNITY SCHOOL Lakeland, FL | 5.1 |
| LIFE WORK/PROJECT SEARCH St. Augustine, FL | 5.1 |
| NORTH TAMPA SUCCESS CENTER Tampa, FL | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central High School
What grades does Central High School serve?
Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Central High School?
Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 106 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 106:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central High School rank in FL?
Central High School is ranked #3103 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Central High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central High School has 12.5% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central High School a charter school?
Yes, Central High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Central High School a Title I school?
No, Central High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central High School?
54.7% of students at Central 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,841/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Panama City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 106
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 106:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.7%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Bay County
- Phone
- (850) 215-0770
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BAY- District Enrollment
- 27,675
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,117
- District Rank
- #36 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.
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