Desoto School District

530 Lasolona Ave
Arcadia, FL 34266-4911
(District boundaries shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2025-26 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 34% (versus the Florida public school average of 52%), 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

Student By Grade

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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 75% has increased from 61% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (FL)
#69 out of 73 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
35%
52%
32%
52%
32%
52%
75%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.62
0.70
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
52%
37%
% Black
12%
21%
% White
32%
35%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups

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.
This School District
This State (FL)
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 (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
851 E Hickory St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-0755
Gr: PK-5 | 820 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #22.
West Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
304 W Imogene St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-3155
Gr: PK-5 | 684 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #33.
Nocatee Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4846 Sw Shores Ave
Nocatee, FL 34268
(863) 494-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #44.
Desoto Virtual Academy
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Gr: K-12 | 6 students Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #55.
Desoto Virtual Franchise
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Gr: K-12 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #66.
Desoto Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
420 E Gibson St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-4133
Gr: 6-8 | 1,011 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #77.
Desoto County High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1710 E Gibson St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-3434
Gr: 9-12 | 1,259 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #88.
Desoto Secondary School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
318 N Wilson Ave
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-9303
Gr: K-12 | 68 students Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: n/an/a
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Reduced Services
Alternative School
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Gr: K-12 | 12 students Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: n/an/a
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Gr: PK

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 #70 out of 73 school districts in Florida (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 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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Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • District size: 11 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 4,286 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 68%
  • : 75% (Btm 50% in FL)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 35% (Btm 50%)
  • : 32% (Btm 50%)
  • : 32% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education

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