For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 4,286 students in Desoto School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Florida.
Public Schools in Desoto School District have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Florida public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 52% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Florida public school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (FL)
# Schools
11 Schools
4,272 Schools
# Students
4,286 Students
2,871,617 Students
# Teachers
223 Teachers
155,327 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
District Rank
Desoto School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 73 school districts in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 75% has increased from 64% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#69 out of 73 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
52%
Graduation Rate
75%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.62
0.70
# American Indian Students
5 Students
7,127 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
24 Students
82,684 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
2,244 Students
1,067,518 Students
% Hispanic Students
52%
37%
# Black Students
514 Students
599,852 Students
% Black Students
12%
21%
# White Students
1,366 Students
988,678 Students
% White Students
32%
35%
# Hawaiian Students
2 Students
4,961 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
131 Students
120,797 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
4%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
50
65,492
# Students in K Grade:
290
195,805
# Students in 1st Grade:
319
204,872
# Students in 2nd Grade:
317
211,537
# Students in 3rd Grade:
337
217,908
# Students in 4th Grade:
344
214,300
# Students in 5th Grade:
270
205,644
# Students in 6th Grade:
281
210,929
# Students in 7th Grade:
411
223,117
# Students in 8th Grade:
374
218,377
# Students in 9th Grade:
356
233,011
# Students in 10th Grade:
325
236,046
# Students in 11th Grade:
297
221,011
# Students in 12th Grade:
315
213,568
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,445 is higher than the state median of $11,962. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,714 is higher than the state median of $11,615. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$53 MM
$34,349 MM
Spending
$55 MM
$33,354 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,445
$11,962
Spending / Student
$12,714
$11,615
Best Desoto School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Desoto Virtual Academy
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Grades: K-12
| 6 students
Rank: #22.
Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
851 E Hickory St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-0755
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-0755
Grades: PK-5
| 820 students
Rank: #33.
West Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
304 W Imogene St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-3155
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-3155
Grades: PK-5
| 684 students
Rank: #44.
Nocatee Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4846 Sw Shores Ave
Nocatee, FL 34268
(863) 494-4511
Nocatee, FL 34268
(863) 494-4511
Grades: PK-5
| 416 students
Rank: #55.
Desoto Virtual Franchise
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Grades: K-12
| 10 students
Rank: #66.
Desoto Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
420 E Gibson St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-4133
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-4133
Grades: 6-8
| 1,011 students
Rank: #77.
Desoto County High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1710 E Gibson St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-3434
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-3434
Grades: 9-12
| 1,259 students
Rank: #88.
Desoto Secondary School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
318 N Wilson Ave
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-9303
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-9303
Grades: K-12
| 68 students
Rank: n/an/a
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Reduced Services
Alternative School
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Grades: K-12
| 12 students
Rank: n/an/a
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Desoto School District?
Desoto School District manages 11 public schools serving 4,286 students.
What is the rank of Desoto School District?
Desoto School District is ranked #69 out of 73 school districts in Florida (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Desoto School District?
52% of Desoto School District students are Hispanic, 32% of students are White, 12% of students are Black, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Desoto School District?
Desoto School District has a student/teacher ratio of 19:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 18:1.
What is Desoto School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $12,714 is higher than the state median of $11,615. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
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