Bay County Schools & Education
Bay County, Florida
School Score
35/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
89.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,445
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,118
School Score
35/100
Higher = better
State avg 36/100
State School Rank
#39
of 67 counties (1 = best)
Explore Bay County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Bay County, Florida
Diverse Learning Options Across Bay
Bay County features 49 public schools, offering a broad infrastructure that supports 27,323 students. The county provides 24 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 12 high schools, ensuring variety across all age groups. A single district oversees the entire network, including specialized alternative and special education facilities.
Beating National Graduation Benchmarks
Bay County outpaces the national graduation rate with 89.0% of students earning their diplomas, compared to the 87.0% national average. The county invests $6,445 per pupil, which is higher than the Florida state average of $6,118. With a school score of 51.8, the county's academic performance slightly exceeds the state average of 51.5.
A Flourishing Charter School Sector
The Bay District manages the entire county enrollment of 27,323 students through a mix of traditional and alternative settings. Charter schools represent nearly a quarter of the landscape, with 12 schools making up 24.5% of the total options. This significant charter presence offers families a wide range of specialized curricula and local choice.
Balanced Urban and Suburban Environments
The school landscape is almost evenly split between city locales (21) and suburban settings (20), with a few rural outposts. While the average school size is 569 students, the largest campus, A. Crawford Mosley High School, serves 1,901 students. This balance allows families to choose between a bustling city school or a quieter suburban campus.
Invest in a High-Performing Coast
Bay County is a strong contender for families seeking a balance of high graduation rates and diverse school types. Whether you prefer the scale of J.R. Arnold High or a specialized charter school, the options here are plentiful. Look for homes in the Panama City area to take advantage of this high-performing school district.
School Overview
Total Schools
49
in Bay County
Total Enrollment
27,323
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
12
24% of total
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Bay County
BAY
49 Public Schools in Bay County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. CRAWFORD MOSLEY HIGH SCHOOL | BAY | 9–12 | High | 1,901 |
| DEANE BOZEMAN SCHOOL | BAY | PK–12 | Other | 1,619 |
| J.R. ARNOLD HIGH SCHOOL | BAY | 9–12 | High | 1,617 |
| RUTHERFORD HIGH SCHOOL | BAY | 6–12 | High | 1,337 |
| BAY HIGH SCHOOL | BAY | 9–12 | High | 1,255 |
| BREAKFAST POINT ACADEMY | BAY | PK–8 | Primary | 1,058 |
| NORTH BAY HAVEN CAREER ACADEMY | BAY | 9–12 | Charter | 897 |
| MOWAT MIDDLE SCHOOL | BAY | 6–8 | Middle | 868 |
| SURFSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL | BAY | 6–8 | Middle | 843 |
| TYNDALL ACADEMY | BAY | PK–8 | Primary | 800 |
| BAY HAVEN CHARTER ACADEMY | BAY | KG–5 | Charter | 765 |
| DEER POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BAY | PK–5 | Primary | 705 |
| MERRITT BROWN MIDDLE SCHOOL | BAY | 6–8 | Middle | 701 |
| LYNN HAVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BAY | PK–5 | Primary | 699 |
| NORTH BAY HAVEN CHARTER ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BAY | KG–5 | Charter | 695 |
| UNIVERSITY ACADEMY SABL INC | BAY | KG–8 | Charter | 688 |
| PATRONIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BAY | KG–5 | Primary | 648 |
| HILAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BAY | PK–5 | Primary | 643 |
| TOMMY SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BAY | PK–5 | Primary | 639 |
| HUTCHISON BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BAY | KG–5 | Primary | 621 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,445
State avg $6,118
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Bay County, Florida — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Bay County, Florida?
Bay County features 49 public schools, offering a broad infrastructure that supports 27,323 students. The county provides 24 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 12 high schools, ensuring variety across all age groups. A single district oversees the entire network, including specialized alternative and special education facilities.
How do schools in Bay County perform academically?
Bay County outpaces the national graduation rate with 89.0% of students earning their diplomas, compared to the 87.0% national average. The county invests $6,445 per pupil, which is higher than the Florida state average of $6,118. With a school score of 51.8, the county's academic performance slightly exceeds the state average of 51.5.
What are the major school districts in Bay County, Florida?
The Bay District manages the entire county enrollment of 27,323 students through a mix of traditional and alternative settings. Charter schools represent nearly a quarter of the landscape, with 12 schools making up 24.5% of the total options. This significant charter presence offers families a wide range of specialized curricula and local choice.
What is the school experience like in Bay County?
The school landscape is almost evenly split between city locales (21) and suburban settings (20), with a few rural outposts. While the average school size is 569 students, the largest campus, A. Crawford Mosley High School, serves 1,901 students. This balance allows families to choose between a bustling city school or a quieter suburban campus.
How can I find homes near good schools in Bay County, Florida?
Bay County is a strong contender for families seeking a balance of high graduation rates and diverse school types. Whether you prefer the scale of J.R. Arnold High or a specialized charter school, the options here are plentiful. Look for homes in the Panama City area to take advantage of this high-performing school district.
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Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.