Surfside Middle School

Q: Is Surfside Middle School a good school?

Surfside Middle School ranks 431 st of 1196 Florida alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Surfside Middle School is a public middle school located in Panama City Beach, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 843 students. The school is part of the Bay District and is rated 3 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger.

Surfside Middle School consistently outperforms the Bay District and the state of Florida in various standardized test scores, including EOC/Algebra 1 (96% proficient vs. 55% district and state), EOC/Geometry (100% proficient vs. 55% district and 53% state), and FAST/Math for 8th grade (64% proficient vs. 61% district and 54% state). However, the school has a higher chronic absenteeism rate (32.9% in 2022-2023) compared to the state and district averages, and a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (48.4% in 2022-2023).

When compared to nearby schools within the Bay District, such as Merritt Brown Middle School and Jinks Middle School, Surfside Middle School stands out as a higher-performing institution. The two charter middle schools in the area, North Bay Haven Charter Academy Middle School and Bay Haven Charter Middle School, also demonstrate strong academic performance, often outperforming Surfside Middle School in certain test scores.

Detail:

Public, Alternative PK, KG-12

300 Nautilus St
Panama City Beach, FL 32413

(850) 767-5180

District: Bay

SchoolDigger Rank:
431^st of 1,196 Florida Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,557

Students who attend Surfside Middle School usually attend:

High:

J.R. Arnold High School

Feeder schools for Surfside Middle School:

Elementary:	Hutchison Beach Elementary School
	Patronis Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 17.9

Number of students: 825

Racial breakdown:

White:

64.5%

Hispanic:

15.3%

African American:

10.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 48.2%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Surfside Middle School to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Surfside Middle School ranks better than 64% of middle schools in Florida. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 61.25. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (64.5%), Hispanic (15.3%), African American (10.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 48.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Surfside Middle School is 17.9, which is the 3^rd best among 3 alternative schools in the Bay School District. (See more...)

Compare Surfside Middle School employs 46 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Surfside Middle School is $8,557, which is the 4^th highest among 3 alternative schools in the Bay School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Surfside Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Surfside Middle School 431^st of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Surfside Middle School in the ranking list.)

Bay:

SchoolDigger ranks Bay 28^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Surfside Middle School.

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Rank History for Surfside Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	73.90	141^st	593	76.2%
2005	70.85	158^th	602	73.8%
2006	72.15	175^th	675	74.1%
2007	71.05	209^th	736	71.6%
2008	75.79	159^th	740	78.5%
2009	80.66	128^th	780	83.6%
2010	69.87	253^rd	839	69.8%
2011	69.59	272^nd	891	69.5%
2012	66.21	299^th	897	66.7%
2013	60.88	364^th	956	61.9%
2014	58.15	413^th	999	58.7%
2016	62.08	344^th	997	65.5%
2017	62.72	361^st	1031	65.0%
2018	65.19	340^th	1035	67.1%
2019	67.01	338^th	1099	69.2%
2021	63.58	381^st	1136	66.5%
2022	61.40	402^nd	1148	65.0%
2023	57.18	468^th	1177	60.2%
2024	61.25	431^st	1196	64.0%

See the entire list of Florida Alternative School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.5)

50%

Reviews:

by a parent
Tuesday, September 10, 2013

This is a good school. I know that there are people who have issues with it, but I haven't heard of a school yet that someone somewhere doesn't have issues with. The teachers in the advanced classes care about the students try their best to teach them all regardless of the rules and regulations thrown on them by federal, state, and local know-it-alls. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, February 23, 2012

This school needs help. The principal doesn't like people at all and some of the teachers think that they can make up there own rules. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Surfside Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1990	843	17	3	11	3	n/a	n/a	0	877
1991	906	15	11	13	6	n/a	n/a	0	951
1992	1001	19	9	10	4	n/a	n/a	0	1043
1993	1054	14	7	10	3	n/a	n/a	0	1088
1994	1133	14	9	11	2	n/a	n/a	0	1169
1995	808	11	5	6	2	n/a	n/a	0	832
1996	808	11	5	6	2	n/a	n/a	0	832
1997	817	10	8	8	2	n/a	n/a	0	845
1998	978	19	9	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	1017
1999	944	16	7	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	979
2000	999	31	8	14	2	n/a	n/a	0	1054
2001	1007	24	7	10	2	n/a	n/a	0	1050
2002	1060	18	15	9	5	n/a	n/a	0	1107
2003	1060	18	15	9	5	n/a	n/a	0	1107
2004	1046	20	17	21	8	n/a	n/a	0	1112
2005	984	20	23	34	3	n/a	n/a	0	1064
2006	1036	35	27	52	3	n/a	n/a	0	1153
2007	938	30	19	47	5	n/a	n/a	19	1058
2008	892	37	17	34	6	n/a	n/a	30	1016
2009	766	25	16	40	3	n/a	n/a	27	877
2010	903	23	19	52	2	n/a	n/a	33	1032
2011	888	27	21	51	5	0	31	0	1023
2012	755	22	20	56	4	0	37	0	894
2013	702	21	21	45	2	0	34	0	825
2014	610	17	10	52	2	0	36	0	727
2015	621	30	6	55	3	2	36	0	753
2016	617	27	9	59	3	2	51	0	768
2017	659	38	14	50	3	0	61	0	825
2018	623	48	15	68	6	1	48	0	809
2019	582	45	16	65	7	1	39	0	755
2020	592	46	16	87	9	0	46	0	796
2021	555	41	13	101	6	0	46	0	762
2022	550	51	17	105	7	1	60	0	791
2023	549	80	20	117	10	2	65	0	843
2024	532	84	13	126	8	2	60	0	825

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Surfside Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	877	46.0	19.0	33.1
1991	951	54.0	17.6	33
1992	1043	56.0	18.6	29.4
1993	1088	63.0	17.3	29.2
1994	1169	66.0	17.7	30.5
1995	832	38.0	21.9	27.5
1996	832	38.0	21.9	27.5
1997	845	41.0	20.6	28.8
1998	1017	50.0	20.3	29.7
1999	979	51.0	19.2	38.4
2000	1054	54.0	19.5	37.4
2001	1050	51.0	20.6	34.5
2002	1107	54.0	20.5	37.3
2003	1107	54.0	20.5	37.3
2004	1112	57.0	19.5	39.5
2005	1064	56.0	19.0	38.9
2006	1153	62.0	18.6	41.3
2007	1058	58.0	18.2	37
2008	1016	59.0	17.2	39.2
2009	877	63.0	15.8	42.1
2010	1032	56.0	18.4	44.2
2011	1023	56.3	18.1	47.2
2012	894	47.9	18.6	48.3
2013	825	49.0	16.8	53.1
2014	727	44.0	16.5	56.9
2015	753	45.0	16.7	58.6
2016	768	45.0	17.0	48.8
2017	825	47.0	17.5	41.6
2018	809	47.0	17.2	44.3
2019	755	42.8	17.6	42.5
2020	796	40.4	19.7	37.7
2021	762	38.8	19.6	37.9
2022	791	42.0	18.8	41
2023	843	43.0	19.6	48.4
2024	825	46.0	17.9	48.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Surfside Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	877	46.0	19.0	33.1
1991	951	54.0	17.6	33
1992	1043	56.0	18.6	29.4
1993	1088	63.0	17.3	29.2
1994	1169	66.0	17.7	30.5
1995	832	38.0	21.9	27.5
1996	832	38.0	21.9	27.5
1997	845	41.0	20.6	28.8
1998	1017	50.0	20.3	29.7
1999	979	51.0	19.2	38.4
2000	1054	54.0	19.5	37.4
2001	1050	51.0	20.6	34.5
2002	1107	54.0	20.5	37.3
2003	1107	54.0	20.5	37.3
2004	1112	57.0	19.5	39.5
2005	1064	56.0	19.0	38.9
2006	1153	62.0	18.6	41.3
2007	1058	58.0	18.2	37
2008	1016	59.0	17.2	39.2
2009	877	63.0	15.8	42.1
2010	1032	56.0	18.4	44.2
2011	1023	56.3	18.1	47.2
2012	894	47.9	18.6	48.3
2013	825	49.0	16.8	53.1
2014	727	44.0	16.5	56.9
2015	753	45.0	16.7	58.6
2016	768	45.0	17.0	48.8
2017	825	47.0	17.5	41.6
2018	809	47.0	17.2	44.3
2019	755	42.8	17.6	42.5
2020	796	40.4	19.7	37.7
2021	762	38.8	19.6	37.9
2022	791	42.0	18.8	41
2023	843	43.0	19.6	48.4
2024	825	46.0	17.9	48.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Surfside Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$177 (2.5%)	$7,036 (97.5%)	$7,213
2019	$148 (1.6%)	$9,034 (98.4%)	$9,183
2020	$305 (3.7%)	$7,904 (96.3%)	$8,209
2021	$581 (6.7%)	$8,155 (93.4%)	$8,734
2022	$789 (9.7%)	$7,336 (90.3%)	$8,125
2023	$924 (10.8%)	$7,633 (89.2%)	$8,557

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Surfside Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 338^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 468^th of 1177 Middle schools	9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Surfside Middle School)	63	58	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Bay)	56	52	4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Surfside Middle School)	53	45	8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Bay)	53	48	5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Surfside Middle School)	52	56	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Bay)	54	49	5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Surfside Middle School)	69	61	8%
7th Grade Mathematics (Bay)	59	52	7%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Surfside Middle School)	69	54	15%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Bay)	59	49	10%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Surfside Middle School)	49	33	16%
8th Grade Mathematics (Bay)	48	40	8%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Surfside Middle School)	64	52	12%
8th Grade Science (Bay)	51	51
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Surfside Middle School)	67	69	2%
End of Course Civics (Bay)	74	71	3%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Surfside Middle School)	94	85	9%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Bay)	65	57	8%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Surfside Middle School)	100	97	3%
End of Course Geometry (Bay)	62	53	9%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	755	843	11.7%
African American	45	80	77.8%
American Indian	7	10	42.9%
Asian	16	20	25%
Hispanic	65	117	80%
Pacific Islander	1	2	100%
White	582	549	5.7%
Two or More Races	39	65	66.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	42.5%	48.4%	5.9%

Schools Near Surfside Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				FAST English Language Arts (2024)								FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Surfside Middle School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	300 Nautilus St	Panama City Beach	32413	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-5180	825	46	17.9	48.2%	532 (64.5%)	84 (10.2%)	126 (15.3%)	13 (1.6%)	8 (1.0%)	2 (0.2%)	60 (7.3%)								(n/a)				51.0	55.0	56.0						62.0	46.0	64.0		59.0	96.0	100.0			65.0	$8,557	$924	$7,633
Rising Leaders Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1527 Lincoln Ave	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	Yes	No	No	No	(850) 215-0844	309	14	22.0	37.5%	164 (53.1%)	61 (19.7%)	39 (12.6%)	17 (5.5%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (8.4%)								(n/a)	71.0	58.0	62.0	77.0	80.0	82.0			84.0	69.0	44.0	77.0	80.0		35.0	77.0	91.0				97.0	$9,126	$402	$8,725
Bay Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided)	Public, Virtual, Alternative	3-12	1311 Balboa Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	Yes	No	(850) 767-4377	91	0		35.2%	69 (75.8%)	8 (8.8%)	7 (7.7%)	1 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (6.6%)								(n/a)																				54.0		$4,878	$00	$4,878
Bay Virtual Instruction Program	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	1311 Balboa Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	Yes	No	(850) 747-4460	7	0			5 (71.4%)	2 (28.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Bay Virtual Franchise	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	1311 Balboa Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	Yes	No	(850) 767-4460	26	0		23.1%	20 (76.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (11.5%)	3 (11.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																						$6,139	$00	$6,138
Exceptional Student Education	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1311 Balboa Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 872-4100	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Bay Regional Juvenile Detention Center	Public, Alternative	K-12	450 E 11th St	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 872-4706	28	2	14.0	67.9%	14 (50.0%)	9 (32.1%)	4 (14.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.6%)								(n/a)
Margaret K. Lewis In Millville	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	203 N East Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1792	169	26	6.6	53.8%	104 (61.5%)	31 (18.3%)	17 (10.1%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (8.9%)								(n/a)																						$36,504	$6,755	$29,748
Deane Bozeman School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	13410 Highway 77	Panama City	32409	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	No	(850) 767-1300	1,648	86	19.2	43.2%	1,486 (90.2%)	8 (0.5%)	89 (5.4%)	2 (0.1%)	5 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	56 (3.4%)								(n/a)	66.0	59.0	46.0	54.0	66.0	62.0	59.0	49.0	80.0	66.0	58.0	70.0	71.0	77.0	55.0	69.0	62.0	63.0	72.0	65.0	88.0	$9,226	$1,157	$8,070

Frequently Asked Questions about Surfside Middle School

Is Surfside Middle School a good school?

Surfside Middle School ranks 431^st of 1196 Florida alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Surfside Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 825 students attended Surfside Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Surfside Middle School?

Students at Surfside Middle School are 64% White, 15% Hispanic, 10% African American, 7% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What district is Surfside Middle School in?

Bay

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.