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Average

#3103 of 3,777 schools in FL

Central High School

High School · BAY

1250 W. 17TH ST STE A, Panama City, FL 32405

Charter

Enrollment

106

Student-Teacher

106:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

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 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Reading vs. State Avg-37.6 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-31.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio106:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,446

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 12.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.0%
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
10%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2024
ELA
19%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.0/10
18th percentile in FL
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
106:1 student-teacher ratio
1 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 0.5 mi 5.6
BAY VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Panama City 0.6 mi
BAY VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Panama City 0.6 mi
BAY VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM (DISTRICT PROVIDED) Panama City 0.6 mi 4.8
RISING LEADERS ACADEMY Panama City 0.7 mi 4.7
PALM BAY PREPARATORY ACADEMY 6-12 Panama City 0.8 mi 6.6
PALM BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 0.8 mi 7.2
ST. ANDREW SCHOOL AT OAKLAND TERRACE Panama City 0.9 mi 5.2
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Panama City 1.0 mi 7.6
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Panama City 1.1 mi 7.2
JINKS MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City 1.1 mi 6.2
BACOT ACADEMY Panama City 1.2 mi
GULF COAST SCHOOL FOR AUTISM Panama City 1.2 mi
KALEIDOSCOPE SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY Panama City 1.4 mi 5.0
BAY HIGH SCHOOL Panama City 1.5 mi 4.2
CHAUTAUQUA CHARTER SCHOOL Panama City 1.5 mi 7.1
LUCILLE MOORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 1.6 mi 7.6
UNIVERSITY ACADEMY SABL INC Panama City 1.9 mi 7.6
BAY REGIONAL JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Panama City 1.8 mi
PANAMA CITY ADVANCED SCHOOL Panama City 2.2 mi 8.4

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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