Central High School in Panama City is a free charter diploma program for ages 16 to 21: 18- or 24-credit Florida diploma, year-round enrollment, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Sources: the school’s website, Bay District Schools and its charter schools page and 2026-27 start and end times, the Florida Department of Education’s 2026 school grades and the federal NCES school directory.

Central High School is a tuition-free public charter diploma program for students ages 16 to 21 on West 17th Street, inside the Panama City limits. It is one of three charter schools run by Palm Bay Education Group, with Palm Bay Elementary and Palm Bay Preparatory Academy, and Bay District Schools sponsors it. The federal directory lists it as an alternative school for grades 9 to 12. Students who left a traditional high school, fell behind on credits or need to work while they finish can enroll at any point from August through June.

Who to call

  • School: 850-866-4148, the number on the district’s charter schools page; the federal directory lists the Palm Bay office line, 850-215-0770
  • Address: 1250 W. 17th St., Suite A, Panama City, FL 32405
  • School website: palmbayschools.org/central-high
  • Charter schools at the district: Bay District Schools main office, 850-767-4100
Address 1250 W. 17th St., Suite A, Panama City, FL 32405
Grades 9 to 12 (ages 16 to 21)
Principal Jeremy Knapp
Type Public charter alternative school
2026 state grade Not graded

Principal. Jeremy Knapp is the principal, according to the school’s about page. Deseree Barnes is dean of students.

How admission works

Central High is for Florida residents ages 16 to 21. “There is no cost to attend, no entrance test, and no application fee,” and enrollment is open August through June, so students can start at any time, the school’s registration page says. New students come in Monday through Thursday, 7:50 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., to review their credits and build a schedule with staff.

Enrollment and teachers

  • Federal count: 99 students in the 2024-25 school year, with four full-time-equivalent classroom teachers, according to the NCES directory. That is about 25 students per teacher.

State report card

Central High does not appear in the Florida Department of Education’s 2026 school grades file. Florida law lets alternative schools choose a school improvement rating instead of a grade. The school says it is accredited by Cognia and “has held a Commendable rating from the Florida Department of Education since the 2018-19 school year,” according to its about page. Results reported for the school are on the state’s report card site.

Attendance zone

None. Students choose the school; no address is zoned for it. To see which district high school serves a home, use the district’s School Zone and Bus Route search or Bay County’s school zone map.

Calendar and bell times

The district’s 2026-27 start and end times list Central High School at 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The school posts its own calendar.

Central High School diploma: 18 or 24 credits

Central High School students earn a Florida high school diploma, not a GED, according to the school’s academics page.

  • 18-credit accelerated diploma: the default path. Staff review a student’s transcript at enrollment and orientation and build a plan from the credits already earned.
  • 24-credit diploma: the broader course of study, for students who choose it.
  • Work experience: one credit is required for either diploma, and students can earn up to four elective credits through paid or volunteer work.

Questions about which path fits go to the school office at 850-866-4148 or to the school in person at 1250 W. 17th St.

How the program works

  • Self-paced courses: students work through Florida-standards coursework on the Edmentum online platform, with teachers on hand, the school’s academics page says.
  • Credit recovery for students who are short on credits.
  • Work experience: students can earn up to four elective credits through paid work or volunteering; one credit of work experience is required to graduate.
  • ESOL services for students learning English.

More on Panama City schools

Frequently asked questions

Who can attend Central High School in Panama City?

Florida residents ages 16 to 21 who want a high school diploma. There is no entrance test and no application fee, and the school enrolls students year-round, August through June.

What diploma does Central High School award?

A Florida high school diploma. Students work toward the state’s 18-credit accelerated diploma by default or the 24-credit diploma if they choose, and one credit of work experience is required to graduate, the school’s academics page says.

Does Central High School get a Florida school grade?

No. Central High is not in Florida’s 2026 school grades file. The school says it has held a Commendable rating from the Florida Department of Education since the 2018-19 school year.

What time is Central High School open?

The district’s 2026-27 schedule lists Central High at 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The school takes new enrollments Monday through Thursday, 7:50 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.