Overlooking the Saint Andrew Bay is the lovely little beach side community of Panama City. This town has less than 100,000 residents, so it isn't as crowded as most major cities in Florida.

The residents of the city have long taken pride in maintaining a safe, quiet and attractive community. Thanks to this concept, there are plenty of good private schools in Panama City Florida.

Some of the grade schools, middle schools and high schools are funded by Christian, Catholic or other religious entities. However, some are non-religious. Students who attend these grade schools, middle schools and high schools enjoy getting an education in institutions with excellent ratings.

Some high-ranking, religious-affiliated schools in Panama City include the Covenant Christian School, Saint John Catholic School, and Holy Nativity Episcopal School.

Well-revered secular schools include the Panama City Advanced School and  the Panama City Renaissance School near Panama City Beach.

Outdoor exercise programs are in place at all of the private schools in Panama City, Florida. The parents in the area have worked hard over the past decade to change the nutrition programs, promoting more fresh and raw foods, as well as whole grains. Modern science has proven in recent years that growing kids need raw fruits and vegetables to get the full amount of vitamins and minerals their bodies need to develop properly.

The education professionals at the private schools in Panama City know that kids need a good balanced diet to concentrate and have proper cognitive function.

There are also more individually-oriented educational programs in place at these schools. The high rankings of these programs are due to the adaptive methods teachers use to make sure students learn as much as possible. The student to teacher ratios are lower than in the public schools, which also contribute to higher rankings among Panama City's private schools.

There are also several Montessori schools in the city, which are perfect for parents who want their kids to reach their full creative potential. The Montessori method has been used for many years, but has only recently gained recognition and popularity because it works so well. Students are encouraged to "be themselves" and learn in their own style. Rankings for the program are good. Most kids who attend Montessori schools develop better creative skills, both in thinking and coordinated tasks.

Some Montessori grade schools in Panama City include South Walton Montessori, Tree House Montessori, and the Compass Rose Academy on Mirimar Beach.

Parents who plan to enroll their kids in a private Panama City school must research thoroughly, start the application process as far in advance as possible, and, most importantly, make sure their kids are comfortable with the choice.