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Needs Improvement

#3565 of 3,778 schools in FL

Merritt Brown Middle School

Middle School · BAY

5044 MERRITT BROWN WAY, Panama City, FL 32404

Enrollment

680

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

3.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#3,565 of 3,778

In Panama City

#30 of 31

public schools

In district

#43 of 44

BAY

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Merritt Brown Middle School

3.6/10

Middle School in Panama City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tommy Smith Elementary School

4.3/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Deer Point Elementary School

5.4/10

2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Merritt Brown Middle School

Merritt Brown Middle School is a public middle school in Panama City, FL, part of BAY. Merritt Brown Middle School serves approximately 680 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Merritt Brown Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #3,565 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Merritt Brown Middle School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.3
  • FL avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

41% of students at Merritt Brown Middle School 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 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.91 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.7% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-22 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.4 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,117
Chronic Absenteeism40.9%

Merritt Brown Middle School — Students at Merritt Brown Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.5% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 48.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.8% (2024 FAST)

Based on 34 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
65%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
51%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
54%
2015
Math
53%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
41.6%
ELA
35.2%
2024
Math
33.7%
ELA
38%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Merritt Brown Middle School Compares

See how Merritt Brown Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
6th percentile in FL
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5044 MERRITT BROWN WAY, Panama City, FL 32404

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Merritt Brown Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. NORTH BAY HAVEN CHARTER ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BAY HAVEN CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MOWAT MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Lynn Haven), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Panama City, see our Panama City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
TOMMY SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 0.1 mi 4.3
DEER POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 2.1 mi 5.4
NORTH BAY HAVEN CHARTER ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City 2.1 mi 8.6
NORTH BAY HAVEN CHARTER ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 2.1 mi 8.4
NORTH BAY HAVEN CAREER ACADEMY Panama City 2.1 mi 7.6
BAY HAVEN CHARTER ACADEMY Panama City 4.4 mi 5.9
BAY HAVEN CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City 4.4 mi 5.2
HILAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 4.8 mi 3.8
A. CRAWFORD MOSLEY HIGH SCHOOL Lynn Haven 5.3 mi 5.8
CALLAWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 6.1 mi 6.0
LYNN HAVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lynn Haven 5.3 mi 6.0
NEW HORIZONS LEARNING CENTER Panama City 5.5 mi 3.7
CEDAR GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 5.9 mi 2.5
SOUTHPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southport 5.7 mi 7.8
THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA ACADEMY Lynn Haven 5.6 mi
RUTHERFORD HIGH SCHOOL Panama City 6.1 mi 4.5
MOWAT MIDDLE SCHOOL Lynn Haven 5.7 mi 4.9
OSCAR PATTERSON ACADEMY Panama City 6.9 mi 3.8
ROSENWALD HIGH SCHOOL Panama City 7.0 mi 5.6
KALEIDOSCOPE SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY Panama City 6.9 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32404 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,208

Median Home Value

$239,700

Median Rent

$1,355/mo

Population

42,117

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

72.9%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

38.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
COUNTRY CLUB MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami Lakes, FL 3.6
GULF MIDDLE SCHOOL New Port Richey, FL 3.6
SOUTHERN OAKS MIDDLE SCHOOL Port St. Lucie, FL 3.6
ARLINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 3.7
BAYONET POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL New Port Richey, FL 3.7
J. H. WORKMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Pensacola, FL 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Merritt Brown Middle School

What grades does Merritt Brown Middle School serve?

Merritt Brown Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Merritt Brown Middle School?

Merritt Brown Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 680 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Merritt Brown Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Merritt Brown Middle School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Merritt Brown Middle School rank in FL?

Merritt Brown Middle School ranks #3,565 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Merritt Brown Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Merritt Brown Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Merritt Brown Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Merritt Brown Middle School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Merritt Brown Middle School a charter school?

No, Merritt Brown Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Merritt Brown Middle School a Title I school?

No, Merritt Brown Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merritt Brown Middle School?

53.7% of students at Merritt Brown Middle 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
680
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Bay County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.9%

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