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Below Average

#3133 of 3,778 schools in FL

Rutherford High School

High School · BAY

1000 SCHOOL AVE, Panama City, FL 32401

Enrollment

1,423

Student-Teacher

19:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#3,133 of 3,778

In Panama City

#19 of 31

public schools

In district

#32 of 44

BAY

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Rutherford High School

4.5/10

High School in Panama City · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cedar Grove Elementary School

2.5/10

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

Margaret K. Lewis in Millville

6.7/10

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

About Rutherford High School

Rutherford High School is a public high school in Panama City, FL, part of BAY. Rutherford High School serves approximately 1,423 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 19:1 student-teacher ratio. Rutherford High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,133 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Rutherford High School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • FL avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

49% of students at Rutherford High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.6% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-25.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.8 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation13.2%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,117
Chronic Absenteeism48.8%

Rutherford High School — Students at Rutherford High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 39.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.5% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 36.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.1% (2024 FAST)

Based on 36 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
70%
ELA
48%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
43%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
48%
2012
Math
43%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
54%
ELA
49%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
40%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
23.8%
2024
Math
30%
ELA
30.6%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Rutherford High School Compares

See how Rutherford High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
17th percentile in FL
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
75 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered IB Programme
13.2% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·171 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

1000 SCHOOL AVE, Panama City, FL 32401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rutherford High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. A. CRAWFORD MOSLEY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Lynn Haven), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROSENWALD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BAY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Panama City, see our Panama City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
CEDAR GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 0.7 mi 2.5
MARGARET K. LEWIS IN MILLVILLE Panama City 1.3 mi 6.7
OSCAR PATTERSON ACADEMY Panama City 1.4 mi 3.8
ROSENWALD HIGH SCHOOL Panama City 1.6 mi 5.6
PARKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 2.3 mi 3.9
MERRIAM CHERRY STREET ELEMENTARY Panama City 2.3 mi 4.4
HILAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 2.7 mi 3.8
EAGLE NEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Panama City 2.5 mi 6.6
BAY REGIONAL JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Panama City 2.4 mi
HOLY NATIVITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Panama City 2.6 mi 7.9
CHAUTAUQUA CHARTER SCHOOL Panama City 2.6 mi 4.5
BAY HIGH SCHOOL Panama City 2.6 mi 4.9
CALLAWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 2.9 mi 6.0
AMIKIDS MARITIME ACADEMY Panama City 2.9 mi
BAY HAVEN CHARTER ACADEMY Panama City 3.3 mi 5.9
BAY HAVEN CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City 3.3 mi 5.2
NEW HORIZONS LEARNING CENTER Panama City 3.4 mi 3.7
A. CRAWFORD MOSLEY HIGH SCHOOL Lynn Haven 3.5 mi 5.8
KALEIDOSCOPE SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY Panama City 3.3 mi 5.0
JINKS MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City 3.2 mi 4.0

Neighborhood 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
AMOS P. GODBY HIGH SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL 4.5
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SENIOR HIGH Miami, FL 4.5
COCOA HIGH SCHOOL Cocoa, FL 4.5
DESOTO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Arcadia, FL 4.5
DUNNELLON HIGH SCHOOL Dunnellon, FL 4.5
ENGLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rutherford High School

What grades does Rutherford High School serve?

Rutherford High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Rutherford High School?

Rutherford High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,423 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rutherford High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Rutherford High School is 19:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rutherford High School rank in FL?

Rutherford High School ranks #3,133 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Rutherford High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rutherford High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Rutherford High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rutherford High School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Rutherford High School a charter school?

No, Rutherford High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rutherford High School a Title I school?

No, Rutherford High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rutherford High School?

61.3% of students at Rutherford 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

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
1,423
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
Teachers (FTE)
75
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Bay County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.8%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

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