Photo: Excel23 · CC BY-SA 4.0Palm Bay’s public schools outscore 74% of Florida districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Palm Bay, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Palm Bay’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 57% and math 56% in spring 2022, against 52% and 52% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,956 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Palm Bay Academy Charter School, Odyssey Charter School, Odyssey Preparatory Charter Academy, Pineapple Cove Classical Academy, Pineapple Cove Classical Academy at Lockmar, St. Joseph Catholic School (private), Lifeline Academy (private), Puzzle Box Academy (private), Bread of Life Christian Academy Corp. (private), Great Leaps Academy (private) and El Sinai Christian Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Palm Bay’s grade
B+: better than 74% of Florida school districts, #121 of 638 Florida towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Florida average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Palm Bay, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Palm Bay
Southwest Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 997 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Palm Bay
Southwest Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 997 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Palm Bay · depends on your address
Bayside High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Heritage High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,960 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Palm Bay · depends on your address
Bayside High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Heritage High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,960 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Palm Bay · depends on your address
Bayside High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Heritage High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,960 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Palm Bay · depends on your address
Bayside High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Heritage High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,960 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Palm Bay’s public schools are run by Brevard County School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Palm Bay vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Palm Bay’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Bay | B+ | Brevard County |
| Grant-Valkaria | B+ | Brevard County |
| Malabar | B+ | Brevard County |
| Melbourne | B+ | Brevard County |
| West Melbourne | B+ | Brevard County |
All 4 neighbors share Brevard County with Palm Bay, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Palm Bay
25 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Palm Bay’s schools
Are Palm Bay’s schools good?
By Florida’s own tests, yes: the public schools Palm Bay children attend outscore 74% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #121 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 77%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Palm Bay in?
Brevard County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 73,577 students in 108 schools (2024–25).
Where do Palm Bay kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Bayside High School and Heritage High School.
What is Palm Bay’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Brevard County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Palm Bay spend per student?
$11,956 in Brevard County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Palm Bay?
Yes: St. Joseph Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 235 students), Lifeline Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 111 students), Puzzle Box Academy (special education, grades PK–12, 92 students), Bread of Life Christian Academy Corp. (religious, grades PK–12, 50 students), Great Leaps Academy (special education, grades K–6, 19 students) and El Sinai Christian Academy (religious, grades K–10, 12 students). Palm Bay also has 5 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Palm Bay families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Palm Bay → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.