Below Average
#3188 of 3,778 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
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#3,188 of 3,778
In Panama City
#22 of 31
public schools
In district
#35 of 44
BAY
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Merriam Cherry Street Elementary
Elementary School in Panama City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Eagle Nest Christian Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Holy Nativity Episcopal School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Merriam Cherry Street Elementary
Merriam Cherry Street Elementary is a public elementary school in Panama City, FL, part of BAY. Merriam Cherry Street Elementary serves approximately 381 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Merriam Cherry Street Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,188 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Merriam Cherry Street Elementary show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.4 · Below Average
- District avg 5.9
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
50% of students at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Merriam Cherry Street Elementary — Students at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
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 34 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: 3.1/10.
How Merriam Cherry Street Elementary Compares
See how Merriam Cherry Street Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. PALM BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY NATIVITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.0 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BETHLEHEM JUNIOR ACADEMY Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4.4 |
| LABELLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Labelle, FL | 4.4 |
| NAVY POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 4.4 |
| PLATO ACADEMY LARGO CHARTER SCHOOL Largo, FL | 4.4 |
| ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Palm Beach, FL | 4.4 |
| SEASIDE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 4.4 |
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 ranks #3,188 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Merriam Cherry Street Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Merriam Cherry Street Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Merriam Cherry Street Elementary has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 49.9%
- Phone
- (850) 767-1480
Resources & Links
District
BAY- District Enrollment
- 27,675
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,117
- District Rank
- #35 of 44
How we rate schools
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