Merriam Cherry Street Elementary

Summary:

Merriam Cherry Street Elementary is a public elementary school in Panama City, Florida, serving 362 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Bay District, which is ranked 28 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Merriam Cherry Street Elementary stands out from nearby schools like Callaway Elementary, Bay Haven Charter Academy, and Hiland Park Elementary in several key ways. The school has a more diverse student population, with higher percentages of African American (33.98%) and Hispanic (12.98%) students. However, Merriam Cherry Street Elementary also faces significant challenges, including consistently high chronic absenteeism rates (30.6% to 51.7%) and lower test scores compared to the district and state averages across all grade levels and subjects.

Further, Merriam Cherry Street Elementary has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (71.4% to 73.4%), indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. Despite this, the school's per-student spending is relatively high, ranging from $9,742 to $12,706 over the past few years. Unfortunately, the school's performance has been declining over the years, as evidenced by its decreasing statewide ranking and SchoolDigger star rating, from 3 stars in 2018-2019 to 0 stars in 2022-2023. These challenges present an opportunity for the district and school leadership to implement targeted interventions and strategies to address the root causes of the school's underperformance and provide a high-quality education for its diverse student population.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1125 Cherry St
Panama City, FL 32401

(850) 767-1480

District: Bay

SchoolDigger Rank:
1706^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,706

Students who attend Merriam Cherry Street Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Jinks Middle School
High:	Bay High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.5

Number of students: 381

Racial breakdown:

White:

39.1%

African American:

38.1%

Hispanic:

12.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 75.1%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Merriam Cherry Street Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Merriam Cherry Street Elementary ranks worse than 75.6% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 21^st among 23 ranked elementary schools in the Bay School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 27.18. (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 Student population at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (39.1%), African American (38.1%), Hispanic (12.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 75.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary is 15.5, which is the 7^th best among 23 elementary schools in the Bay School District. (See more...)

Compare Merriam Cherry Street Elementary employs 24.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary is $12,706, which is the 4^th highest among 23 elementary schools in the Bay School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Merriam Cherry Street Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Bay:

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

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Rank History for Merriam Cherry Street Elementary

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	42.20	1008^th	1688	40.3%
2007	54.50	859^th	1786	51.9%
2008	62.16	701^st	1789	60.8%
2009	70.28	531^st	1847	71.3%
2010	55.98	906^th	1919	52.8%
2011	50.49	1037^th	1985	47.8%
2012	33.80	1343^rd	1984	32.3%
2013	32.61	1417^th	2029	30.2%
2014	25.58	1615^th	2064	21.8%
2016	15.76	1845^th	2087	11.6%
2017	19.28	1799^th	2112	14.8%
2018	51.05	1025^th	2118	51.6%
2019	57.15	908^th	2182	58.4%
2021	15.11	1984^th	2247	11.7%
2022	7.37	2143^rd	2219	3.4%
2023	9.71	2140^th	2240	4.5%
2024	27.18	1706^th	2256	24.4%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Merriam Cherry Street Elementary

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	339	163	2	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	508
1990	323	143	2	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	470
1991	338	148	3	2	1	n/a	n/a	0	492
1992	395	154	3	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	556
1993	366	144	1	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	516
1994	363	107	1	5	1	n/a	n/a	0	477
1995	352	141	3	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	499
1996	352	141	3	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	499
1997	348	141	5	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	499
1998	345	141	3	6	1	n/a	n/a	0	496
1999	307	148	2	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	461
2000	273	140	2	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	419
2001	244	129	0	1	2	n/a	n/a	0	376
2002	201	108	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	311
2003	201	108	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	311
2004	218	88	0	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	308
2005	217	135	0	5	1	n/a	n/a	0	358
2006	244	133	0	5	1	n/a	n/a	0	383
2007	253	124	2	9	2	n/a	n/a	28	418
2008	249	101	0	6	2	n/a	n/a	22	380
2009	237	95	1	7	2	n/a	n/a	25	367
2010	300	120	6	8	0	n/a	n/a	30	464
2011	265	129	6	7	0	0	18	0	425
2012	274	142	6	13	0	0	23	0	458
2013	254	138	6	13	0	0	19	0	430
2014	233	139	10	24	0	3	17	0	426
2015	208	137	8	25	1	1	23	0	403
2016	198	138	11	25	6	0	26	0	404
2017	181	126	4	20	3	0	28	0	362
2018	172	105	0	20	3	0	33	0	333
2019	170	108	0	20	2	0	30	0	330
2020	198	183	6	35	4	0	38	0	464
2021	169	182	3	45	5	1	39	0	444
2022	192	178	3	50	2	1	44	0	470
2023	157	123	4	47	1	1	29	0	362
2024	149	145	2	48	1	1	35	0	381

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 Merriam Cherry Street Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	508	26.0	19.5	56.9
1990	470	26.0	18.0	54
1991	492	28.0	17.5	49.2
1992	556	32.0	17.3	41
1993	516	30.0	17.2	40.7
1994	477	33.0	14.5	39.8
1995	499	30.0	16.6	45.5
1996	499	30.0	16.6	45.5
1997	499	29.0	17.2	51.5
1998	496	28.0	17.7	50.8
1999	461	28.0	16.5	63.3
2000	419	28.0	15.0	61.8
2001	376	24.0	15.7	58.5
2002	311	22.0	14.1	54
2003	311	22.0	14.1	54
2004	308	19.0	16.2	59.4
2005	358	25.0	14.3	66.2
2006	383	25.0	15.3	62.7
2007	418	27.0	15.5	62.3
2008	380	26.0	14.6	60.6
2009	367	31.2	13.3	61.4
2010	464	30.0	15.4	74.2
2011	425	28.5	14.9	73.2
2012	458	30.0	15.2	75.5
2013	430	28.0	15.3	80
2014	426	28.0	15.2	80
2015	403	27.0	14.9	84.9
2016	404	26.0	15.5	81.4
2017	362	24.0	15.0	70.4
2018	333	24.0	13.8	74.8
2019	330	23.0	14.3	68.2
2020	464	25.0	18.5	70.5
2021	444	25.0	17.7	71.4
2022	470	23.0	20.4	73.4
2023	362	24.0	15.0	72.4
2024	381	24.4	15.5	75.1

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 Merriam Cherry Street Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	508	26.0	19.5	56.9
1990	470	26.0	18.0	54
1991	492	28.0	17.5	49.2
1992	556	32.0	17.3	41
1993	516	30.0	17.2	40.7
1994	477	33.0	14.5	39.8
1995	499	30.0	16.6	45.5
1996	499	30.0	16.6	45.5
1997	499	29.0	17.2	51.5
1998	496	28.0	17.7	50.8
1999	461	28.0	16.5	63.3
2000	419	28.0	15.0	61.8
2001	376	24.0	15.7	58.5
2002	311	22.0	14.1	54
2003	311	22.0	14.1	54
2004	308	19.0	16.2	59.4
2005	358	25.0	14.3	66.2
2006	383	25.0	15.3	62.7
2007	418	27.0	15.5	62.3
2008	380	26.0	14.6	60.6
2009	367	31.2	13.3	61.4
2010	464	30.0	15.4	74.2
2011	425	28.5	14.9	73.2
2012	458	30.0	15.2	75.5
2013	430	28.0	15.3	80
2014	426	28.0	15.2	80
2015	403	27.0	14.9	84.9
2016	404	26.0	15.5	81.4
2017	362	24.0	15.0	70.4
2018	333	24.0	13.8	74.8
2019	330	23.0	14.3	68.2
2020	464	25.0	18.5	70.5
2021	444	25.0	17.7	71.4
2022	470	23.0	20.4	73.4
2023	362	24.0	15.0	72.4
2024	381	24.4	15.5	75.1

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 Merriam Cherry Street Elementary

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$928 (9.6%)	$8,708 (90.4%)	$9,636
2019	$1,128 (8.5%)	$12,084 (91.5%)	$13,212
2020	$1,371 (14.0%)	$8,400 (86.0%)	$9,771
2021	$1,770 (17.2%)	$8,513 (82.8%)	$10,283
2022	$2,069 (21.2%)	$7,672 (78.8%)	$9,742
2023	$3,737 (29.4%)	$8,969 (70.6%)	$12,706

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Merriam Cherry Street Elementary

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 908^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2140^th of 2240 Elementary schools	53.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Merriam Cherry Street Elementary)	73	24	49%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Bay)	61	51	10%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Merriam Cherry Street Elementary)	51	14	37%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Bay)	62	55	7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Merriam Cherry Street Elementary)	55	37	18%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Bay)	58	52	6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Merriam Cherry Street Elementary)	62	27	35%
4th Grade Mathematics (Bay)	59	54	5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Merriam Cherry Street Elementary)	58	26	32%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Bay)	56	55	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Merriam Cherry Street Elementary)	69	17	52%
5th Grade Mathematics (Bay)	54	49	5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Merriam Cherry Street Elementary)	58	29	29%
5th Grade Science (Bay)	54	49	5%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	330	362	9.7%
African American	108	123	13.9%
American Indian	2	1	50%
Asian	0	4
Hispanic	20	47	135%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	170	157	7.6%
Two or More Races	30	29	3.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	68.2%	72.4%	4.2%

Schools Near Merriam Cherry Street Elementary

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)			FAST Math (2024)			Statewide Science Science (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 (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Merriam Cherry Street Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1125 Cherry St	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1480	381	24	15.5	75.1%	149 (39.1%)	145 (38.1%)	48 (12.6%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	35 (9.2%)	27.2	1706^th of 2256 public elementary schools	24.4%		9.7	2140^th of 2240 public elementary schools	4.5%	434	41.0	46.0	47.0	41.0	39.0	42.0	38.0	$12,706	$3,737	$8,969
Oscar Patterson Academy	Public	PK, KG-3	1025 Redwood Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(850) 767-1610	322	20	16.1	81.1%	63 (19.6%)	161 (50.0%)	64 (19.9%)	4 (1.2%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.9%)	26 (8.1%)								(n/a)	28.0			23.0				$11,626	$2,493	$9,133
Palm Bay Elementary School	Public, Charter	K-5	1104 Balboa Ave	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	Yes	No	No	Yes	(850) 215-0770	317	17	18.6	61.2%	108 (34.1%)	91 (28.7%)	76 (24.0%)	7 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	34 (10.7%)	51.1	1072^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	52.5%		43.3	1247^th of 2240 public elementary schools	44.3%	175	57.0	50.0	47.0	57.0	61.0	55.0	53.0	$9,345	$1,010	$8,335
Cedar Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2826 E 15th St	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-4550	554	35	16.0	76.5%	182 (32.9%)	195 (35.2%)	94 (17.0%)	5 (0.9%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	76 (13.7%)	4.9	2222^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	1.5%		3.9	2212^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.3%	10	35.0	23.0	27.0	25.0	20.0	11.0	12.0	$12,092	$2,469	$9,623
Parker Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	640 S Highway 22 A	Panama City	32404	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-4570	502	29	17.4	74.3%	191 (38.0%)	149 (29.7%)	96 (19.1%)	7 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	59 (11.8%)	28.3	1675^th of 2256 public elementary schools	25.8%		24.9	1749^th of 2240 public elementary schools	21.9%	74	33.0	41.0	52.0	29.0	56.0	30.0	52.0	$12,256	$3,767	$8,489
St. Andrew School At Oakland Terrace	Public	PK, KG-5	2010 W 12th St	Panama City	32401	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-4595	68	14	4.8	82.4%	34 (50.0%)	19 (27.9%)	5 (7.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.5%)	1 (1.5%)	8 (11.8%)	0.5	2254^th of 2256 public elementary schools	0.1%		3.7	2215^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.1%	39	11.0	7.0	6.0	6.0	0.0	0.0	6.0	$47,939	$10,072	$37,867
Northside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2001 Northside Dr	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1506	561	34	16.5	54.7%	291 (51.9%)	103 (18.4%)	107 (19.1%)	6 (1.1%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	51 (9.1%)	35.7	1468^th of 2256 public elementary schools	34.9%		24.1	1771^st of 2240 public elementary schools	20.9%	303	57.0	38.0	52.0	53.0	34.0	47.0	45.0	$10,240	$2,035	$8,204
Hiland Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2507 E Baldwin Rd	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-4685	676	41	16.6	56.7%	362 (53.6%)	98 (14.5%)	133 (19.7%)	11 (1.6%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	69 (10.2%)	29.3	1641^st of 2256 public elementary schools	27.3%		37.7	1393^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	37.8%	248	57.0	42.0	33.0	48.0	43.0	40.0	36.0	$11,649	$2,760	$8,891
Lucille Moore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1900 Michigan Ave	Panama City	32405	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1428	524	38	13.8	71.8%	130 (24.8%)	150 (28.6%)	178 (34.0%)	5 (1.0%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	59 (11.3%)	41.7	1299^th of 2256 public elementary schools	42.4%		31.7	1562^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	30.3%	263	43.0	36.0	53.0	57.0	52.0	50.0	67.0	$13,372	$3,111	$10,260
Callaway Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7115 E Highway 22	Panama City	32404	Bay County	Bay	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 767-1241	537	33	16.3	73.0%	240 (44.7%)	141 (26.3%)	76 (14.2%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	74 (13.8%)	57.4	912^th of 2256 public elementary schools	59.6%		39.8	1343^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	40.0%	431	59.0	42.0	63.0	72.0	54.0	66.0	52.0	$12,525	$2,652	$9,872

Frequently Asked Questions about Merriam Cherry Street Elementary

How many students attend Merriam Cherry Street Elementary?

In the 2023-24 school year, 381 students attended Merriam Cherry Street Elementary.

What district is Merriam Cherry Street Elementary in?

Bay

What schools do graduates of Merriam Cherry Street Elementary attend?

Students who attend Merriam Cherry Street Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Jinks Middle School
High : Bay High School

What is the racial makeup of Merriam Cherry Street Elementary?

Students at Merriam Cherry Street Elementary are 39% White, 38% African American, 13% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races.

Is Merriam Cherry Street Elementary a good school?

Merriam Cherry Street Elementary ranks in the bottom 24.4% of Florida elementary schools.

Rate Merriam Cherry Street Elementary!

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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.