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Average

#2145 of 3,777 schools in FL

Rutherford High School

High School · BAY

1000 SCHOOL AVE, Panama City, FL 32401

Enrollment

1,423

Student-Teacher

19:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Panama City

#14 of 31

public schools

Florida high schools

#185 of 748

In district

#23 of 44

BAY

About Rutherford High School

Rutherford High School serves 1,423 students in grades 6 through 12 in Panama City, Florida. With 75 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, providing a manageable classroom environment for its diverse student body. The school faces academic challenges, with 31% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 30% in mathematics.

These results place Rutherford at #3551 out of 3,816 Florida schools, indicating significant room for academic growth. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 out of 10 reflects these performance metrics, suggesting the need for continued focus on student development and educational improvement. Rutherford serves a community where the median household income is $46,603 and 19% of families live below the poverty line.

The surrounding neighborhood has a college graduation rate of 19%, with median home values around $172,200. These demographic factors often correlate with educational challenges, and the school works within this context to support its students' academic and personal growth. Located in a mid-size suburb of Panama City in Bay County, Rutherford High School operates within a community of approximately 18,120 residents, serving as an important educational institution for local families in this coastal Florida region.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Rutherford 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29%
Math vs. State Avg-31.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.4 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.2%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,446

Rutherford High School — Students at Rutherford High School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

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 29.8%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 31.6%
School
State
52.1%

Based on 12 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
35%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
29%
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: 6.1/10.

How Rutherford High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in FL
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
75 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
13.2% participation·171 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · 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. CHAUTAUQUA CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ROSENWALD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, A. CRAWFORD MOSLEY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Lynn Haven), with a comparable rating. 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 5.5
MARGARET K. LEWIS IN MILLVILLE Panama City 1.3 mi 4.8
OSCAR PATTERSON ACADEMY Panama City 1.4 mi 5.1
ROSENWALD HIGH SCHOOL Panama City 1.6 mi 6.1
PARKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 2.3 mi 6.7
MERRIAM CHERRY STREET ELEMENTARY Panama City 2.3 mi 4.0
HILAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 2.7 mi 7.0
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 7.1
BAY HIGH SCHOOL Panama City 2.6 mi 4.2
CALLAWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City 2.9 mi 8.1
AMIKIDS MARITIME ACADEMY Panama City 2.9 mi
BAY HAVEN CHARTER ACADEMY Panama City 3.3 mi 6.5
BAY HAVEN CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City 3.3 mi 5.0
NEW HORIZONS LEARNING CENTER Panama City 3.4 mi 4.8
A. CRAWFORD MOSLEY HIGH SCHOOL Lynn Haven 3.5 mi 5.6
KALEIDOSCOPE SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY Panama City 3.3 mi 5.0
JINKS MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City 3.2 mi 6.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rutherford High School 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
AVON PARK HIGH SCHOOL Avon Park, FL 6.1
EUSTIS HIGH SCHOOL Eustis, FL 6.1
FRANK W. SPRINGSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL Spring Hill, FL 6.1
GAINESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Gainesville, FL 6.1
GATEWAY HIGH SCHOOL Kissimmee, FL 6.1
OSCEOLA FUNDAMENTAL HIGH Seminole, FL 6.1

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 is ranked #2145 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Rutherford High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rutherford High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Rutherford High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rutherford High School has 29.8% math proficiency and 31.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (2,841/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Panama City). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BAY
District Enrollment
27,675
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,117
District Rank
#23 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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