Below Average
#3555 of 3,777 schools in FL
Merriam Cherry Street Elementary
Elementary School · BAY
1125 CHERRY ST, Panama City, FL 32401
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Panama City
#31 of 31
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#2,148 of 2,196
In district
#44 of 44
BAY
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Merriam Cherry Street Elementary
Merriam Cherry Street Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Panama City, Florida. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 381 students and employs 24 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1. The academic performance at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of 3165 out of 3816 schools in Florida.
In ELA/Reading proficiency, 48% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, that number is 41%. The school's location within the small city setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere, making it a local choice for many families in Panama City.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Merriam Cherry Street Elementary — Students at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.6/10.
How Merriam Cherry Street Elementary Compares
See how Merriam Cherry Street Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
1125 CHERRY ST, Panama City, FL 32401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merriam Cherry Street Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY NATIVITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PALM BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Panama City, see our Panama City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 miNeighborhood 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 Merriam Cherry Street Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| CHAMPIONSHIP ACADEMY OF DISTINCTION AT HOLLYWOOD Hollywood, FL | 4.0 |
| KIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE RIVERVIEW SOUTHEAST Riverview, FL | 4.0 |
| NORTH COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOL Vero Beach, FL | 4.0 |
| SEASIDE CHARTER K-8 SCHOOL Atlantic Beach, FL | 4.0 |
| THE READING EDGE ACADEMY Debary, FL | 4.0 |
| BENOIST FARMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Palm Beach, FL | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merriam Cherry Street Elementary
What grades does Merriam Cherry Street Elementary serve?
Merriam Cherry Street Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Merriam Cherry Street Elementary?
Merriam Cherry Street Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 381 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merriam Cherry Street Elementary rank in FL?
Merriam Cherry Street Elementary is ranked #3555 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Merriam Cherry Street Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Merriam Cherry Street Elementary has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Merriam Cherry Street Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merriam Cherry Street Elementary has 41.2% math proficiency and 47.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merriam Cherry Street Elementary a charter school?
No, Merriam Cherry Street Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merriam Cherry Street Elementary a Title I school?
No, Merriam Cherry Street Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merriam Cherry Street Elementary?
75.1% of students at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 381
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Bay County
- Phone
- (850) 767-1480
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BAY- District Enrollment
- 27,675
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,117
- District Rank
- #44 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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