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Best Public High Schools in Bay County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Bay County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public high schools serving 11,135 students in Bay County, FL.
The top-ranked public high schools in Bay County, FL are North Bay Haven Career Academy, Rising Leaders Academy and Bay Virtual Franchise. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bay County, FL public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Florida public high school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Bay County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Florida public high schools.
Bay County, FL public high school have a Graduation Rate of 88%, which is equal to the Florida average of 88%.
The school with highest graduation rate is North Bay Haven Career Academy, with 98% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Florida or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public high school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in Bay County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
North Bay Haven Career Academy
Charter School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1 Buccaneer Dr
Panama City, FL 32404
(850) 248-0801
Gr: 9-12 | 865 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #22.
Rising Leaders Academy
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1527 Lincoln Ave
Panama City, FL 32405
(850) 215-0844
Gr: K-12 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #33.
Bay Virtual Franchise
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1311 Balboa Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 767-4460
Gr: 3-12 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Surfside Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
300 Nautilus St
Panama City Beach, FL 32413
(850) 767-5180
Gr: PK-12 | 755 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #55.
Deane Bozeman School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
13410 Highway 77
Panama City, FL 32409
(850) 767-1300
Gr: PK-12 | 1,690 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Palm Bay Preparatory Academy 6-12
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1104 Balboa Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 215-0770
Gr: 6-12 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #77.
A. Crawford Mosley High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
501 Mosley Dr
Lynn Haven, FL 32444
(850) 767-4400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,864 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #88.
J.r. Arnold High School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
550 N Alf Coleman Rd
Panama City Beach, FL 32407
(850) 767-3700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,629 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #99.
Bay Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided)
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1311 Balboa Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 767-4377
Gr: 6-12 | 14 students Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1010.
Bay High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 Harrison Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 767-4600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,289 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1111.
Rutherford High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1000 School Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 767-4500
Gr: 6-12 | 1,394 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1212.
Central High School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1250 W 17th St, Ste A
Panama City, FL 32405
(850) 215-0770
Gr: 9-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1313.
Margaret K. Lewis In Millville
Special Education School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
203 N East Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 767-1792
Gr: PK-12 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1414.
New Horizons Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3200 Minnesota Ave
Panama City, FL 32405
(850) 767-1110
Gr: 6-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1515.
Rosenwald High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
924 Bay Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 767-4580
Gr: 6-12 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
Amikids Maritime Academy
Charter School
200 E Beach Dr
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 919-2213
Gr: 9-12 | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Bay Regional Juvenile Detention Center
Alternative School
450 E 11th St
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 872-4706
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Chautauqua Charter School
Special Education School
Charter School
1118 Magnolia Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 785-5056
Gr: 9-12 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
The Collegiate School At Fsu Pc
Charter School
2430 St Andrews Blvd
Panama City, FL 32405
(850) 770-2900
Gr: 9-12 | 178 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: n/an/a
Exceptional Student Education
Special Education School
1311 Balboa Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 872-4100
Gr: PK-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Bay County, FL?
The top-ranked public high schools in Bay County, FL include North Bay Haven Career Academy, Rising Leaders Academy and Bay Virtual Franchise.
How many public high schools are located in Bay County?
22 public high schools are located in Bay County.
What is the racial composition of students in Bay County?
Bay County public high schools minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public high schools average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Bay County are often viewed compared to one another?

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