Education

School Liaison Officer

The School Liaison Officer is an advocate for the educational needs of military children and is a resource to help parents navigate the school system. Services offered by the SLO include helping to facilitate a smooth transition from school to school in the PCS process, deployment support as pertaining to educational issues, and a communication link between parents and the schools. The School Liaison Officer helps to "level the playing field" for military families by ensuring that military children are given the opportunities to achieve at their highest potential at any assigned location.

The goal of the SLO is to empower parents to be their child’s best advocate in the education process. Parents can use the SLO as a resource for pertinent educational information. Upon request, the SLO will mail parents a packet of pertinent education information pertaining to the local area schools. The SLO can be reached Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 850-238-9830.

There are no DOD Schools in the area.

The Bay County Public School web address provides you with access to Bay County School ratings, scores, public school addresses, phone numbers, as well as a wealth of other information. Bay County's schools include elementary schools (grades K-5), middle schools (grades 6-8), high schools (grades 9-12), charter schools (grades K-12), and a special purpose school for physically disabled and behaviorally challenged, a virtual online school, and a designated post-secondary technical training institution.

Currently there are 19 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 1 alternative middle school, 4 high schools, 1 alternative high school, 1 K-12 school, 1 K-8, 3 special purpose schools, 8 charter schools, 1 technical school, and 1 virtual online school.

Registration Requirements

Student registration information is available at all schools. Registration typically takes place at the student's home-zoned school; however, active duty Military is open for school choice some exclusions may apply. To determine a home-zoned school, please visit the Bay District Schools website or contact the Student Services office at 850-767-4328.

Active duty Military moving to the area may pre-register their children online. Contact the School Liaison Officer for details at 850-238-9830.

A child must be five years old by September 1 of the current school year to begin kindergarten or six years old by September 1 to enter first grade. The Interstate Compact on Education Opportunity for Military Children exempts students from this requirement who are currently enrolled in and attending a public school in the state of transfer.

By Florida Statute 1003.22, the following documents must be presented in order to register a student for school:

• Student's Birth Certificate
• Florida shot record
• Two proofs of address
• Each student shall, within thirty (30) school days of initial admission into Bay County Schools, provide evidence of a medical examination conducted within the previous twelve (12) months pursuant to laws and rules of the State Board of Education (7.101).

For further information, refer to Bay District School website at https://www.bay.k12.fl.us/student-registration#.

School Calendar

Public Schools normally start the second or third week of August and run through the end of May or beginning of June with the standard holidays being observed. The School Liaison Officer offers Bay District School calendars, or you may view the school year calendar on the Bay District Schools website.

Transportation

Bay District School system provides bus service for students that live in their school zone. Check with the Bay District Schools website for public school information, bus routes, and pick-up times.

Special wheelchair transportation is available for handicapped children.

Meals

The Food Service Department is committed to providing a nutritious breakfast and lunch to the students within the Bay County School District and at a price that is affordable. For details on menu and school lunch prices, contact the Food Service Department at 850-767-4260 or https://www.bay.k12.fl.us/parent-lunch.

Exceptional Children

Students who are identified as academically gifted or handicapped under the Individuals With Disabilities Act have the opportunity to participate in Exceptional Student Education programs. To obtain more information about the Individuals With Disabilities Act please visit their U.S. Department of Education website. For information specific to Bay District Schools, contact the ESE Department at 850-767-4164.

Sports Programs

Contact information is available for all Bay District Schools Sports Programs on the Departments page of the Bay District Schools website under Athletics, Extracurricular Activities & Wellness or by calling 850-767-4522.

NSA Panama City is served by the Bay County School District. 18 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 5 high schools, 2 multi-grade schools, 3 special purpose schools, 1 adult/technical school and 6 charter schools and one virtual school.

Information about private schools may be found on the Bay District School website at www.bay.k12.fl.us under School Information and About our Schools.

For information regarding home school education, contact Bay District School Board Home School Education Office at 850-767-4122 or visit the Home School Education page of the Bay District Schools website under departments.

Bay County's educational institutions are below:

Colleges & Universities

• Gulf Coast State College
• Florida State University, Panama City Branch
• Troy St University, Panama City Branch at Tyndall AFB
• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Panama City Branch at Tyndall AFB

Vocational Schools

• Haney Technical Center

The grading scale for nonacademic matters:

Grades K

S – Satisfactory – student performance is acceptable
N – Needs Improvement – student performance needs to improve
U – Unsatisfactory – student performance is well below grade level expectations
I – Incomplete – insufficient information available

Grades 1-5

Grading scale for all core curriculum subject (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies):

A – 90-100 – Outstanding progress
B – 80-89 – Above average progress
C – 70-79 – Average progress
D – 60-69 – Lowest acceptable progress
F – 59-0 – Failure
I – Incomplete

Grades 1-5 - Nonacademic matters (health, art, music, PE)

E – Exceeds
S – Satisfactory
N – Needs improvement
U – Unsatisfactory
I – Incomplete

Grades 6-12 - Nonacademic matters (attendance, conduct/behavior)

E – Exceeds
S – Satisfactory
N – Needs improvement
U – Unsatisfactory
I – Incomplete

Grades 6-12 - All subjects

A – 90-100 – Outstanding progress
B – 80-89 – Above average progress
C – 70-79 – Average progress
D – 60-69 – Lowest acceptable progress
F – 59-0 – Failure
I – Incomplete

Voluntary Pre-K

State Legislation House Bill 1A:

• Voluntary Pre-K is NOT required. VPK is an optional program that is provided by the State free of charge.
• Children must be 4 years of age on or before September 1 of the current year to participate.
• Parents have a choice of locations. Parents may choose an approved public school, private child care or a faith based child care.
• Parents should choose the VPK provider carefully. The State Law has strict rules for withdrawing and relocating child.
• Additional information on Voluntary Pre-K can be viewed on the Bay District Schools website or by calling 850-767-4201.

After School Programs

The Bay BASE program is a before and after school care program for students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade, featuring organized and supervised activities at school facilities.

Please contact your child's school for more in-depth information. After school child care programs and pre-school programs are offered at most schools. For fees, ages, and other information contact individual schools.

School Uniform Policy

Bay District school does enforce a school uniform policy. Specific requirements may be viewed on the Bay District Schools website or by contacting the individual Schools for policies and colors.

High School Graduation Requirements

Information related to High School graduation requirements for the State of Florida can be found at http://www.fldoe.org/academics/graduation-requirements/.

To encourage success and recognize accomplishments at a variety of academic levels, a number of special diplomas are also awarded to students in alternative high school programs and to students with disabilities. Please contact the high school guidance office for more information.