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Desoto School District

Item: Desoto School District
Rating: 1
Author: Public School Review

530 Lasolona Ave
Arcadia, FL 34266-4911

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (863) 494-4222

www.desotoschools.com

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 4,155 students in Desoto School District. This district's average is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Florida.

Public Schools in Desoto School District have an score of 35% (versus the Florida public school average of 53%), and score of 32% (versus the 52% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Florida public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District

This State (FL)

# Schools

8 Schools

4,194 Schools

# Students

4,155 Students

2,850,186 Students

# Teachers

232 Teachers

154,729 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

18:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Desoto School District	Florida
Pre-K	39	771
Kind	309	2,412
1	289	2,538
2	322	2,605
3	354	2,820
4	297	2,616
5	348	2,732
6	257	2,615
7	293	2,695
8	408	2,847
9	406	2,880
10	316	2,926
11	263	2,862
12	254	2,760

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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%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Desoto School District
2023	#69
2022	#69
2021	#68
2019	#71
2018	#71
2017	#70
2016	#72
2015	#69
2014	#69
2013	#70
2012	#66

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35%

52%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	35%	52%
2022	31%	52%
2021	31%	48%
2019	40%	59%
2018	38%	58%
2017	35%	57%
2016	32%	54%
2015	35%	53%
2014	43%	59%
2013	44%	58%
2012	48%	57%

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32%

52%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2022	32%	52%
2021	32%	52%
2019	35%	56%
2018	38%	55%
2017	30%	54%
2016	31%	52%
2015	34%	53%
2014	41%	58%
2013	40%	58%
2012	43%	57%
2011	50%	62%

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32%

52%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2022	32%	52%
2021	34%	51%

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75%

88%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	75%	88%
2022	75%	87%
2021	82%	89%
2020	85%	89%
2019	71%	87%
2018	61%	86%
2017	64%	83%
2016	62%	82%
2015	62%	79%
2014	61%	78%
2013	62%	78%

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(2022-23)

37.2%

33.8%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	37.2%	33.8%
2022	37.3%	35.5%
2021	37.6%	27.4%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.61

0.70

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	0.63	0.70
2022	0.63	0.70
2021	0.63	0.70
2020	0.64	0.70
2019	0.64	0.70
2018	0.63	0.70
2017	0.63	0.70
2016	0.63	0.70
2015	0.62	0.70
2014	0.63	0.69
2013	0.64	0.69
2012	0.63	0.69
2011	0.64	0.69
2010	0.63	0.69
2009	0.63	0.69
2008	0.62	0.68
2007	0.62	0.67
2006	0.61	0.64
2005	0.62	0.65
2004	0.61	0.64
2003	0.61	0.63
2002	0.60	0.63
2001	0.59	0.62
2000	0.58	0.62
1999	0.57	0.61
1998	0.55	0.60
1997	0.56	0.60
1996	0.54	0.59
1995	0.57	0.58
1994	0.51	0.57
1993	0.50	0.57
1992	0.48	0.56
1991	0.47	0.55

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	1%	3%
2021	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	3%
2010	1%	4%
2009	2%	4%
2008	2%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	3%
2004	1%	3%
1995	1%	2%
1993	1%	2%
1992	1%	2%
1991	1%	2%
1990	1%	1%
1989	1%	1%
1988	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

54%

38%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	47%	37%
2022	48%	36%
2021	46%	35%
2020	45%	34%
2019	45%	34%
2018	43%	32%
2017	43%	32%
2016	43%	32%
2015	43%	31%
2014	44%	30%
2013	42%	29%
2012	40%	29%
2011	38%	28%
2010	37%	27%
2009	35%	26%
2008	33%	26%
2007	33%	25%
2006	30%	24%
2005	29%	23%
2004	27%	22%
2003	26%	21%
2002	25%	20%
2001	23%	19%
2000	21%	18%
1999	20%	17%
1998	17%	16%
1997	18%	16%
1996	15%	15%
1995	16%	15%
1994	12%	14%
1993	10%	14%
1992	9%	13%
1991	8%	13%

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% Black

13%

21%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	13%	21%
2022	13%	21%
2021	12%	22%
2020	13%	22%
2019	13%	22%
2018	13%	22%
2017	13%	22%
2016	13%	23%
2015	13%	23%
2014	12%	23%
2013	13%	23%
2012	13%	23%
2011	15%	23%
2010	16%	24%
2009	16%	24%
2008	16%	24%
2007	17%	24%
2006	17%	24%
2005	19%	24%
2004	20%	24%
2003	20%	24%
2002	20%	25%
2001	20%	25%
2000	20%	25%
1999	20%	25%
1998	21%	25%
1997	21%	25%
1996	22%	25%
1995	23%	24%
1994	23%	24%
1993	22%	24%
1992	22%	24%
1991	22%	23%

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% White

29%

34%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	37%	35%
2022	37%	36%
2021	39%	36%
2020	40%	37%
2019	40%	37%
2018	42%	39%
2017	42%	39%
2016	42%	39%
2015	43%	40%
2014	42%	41%
2013	43%	42%
2012	44%	42%
2011	45%	43%
2010	46%	45%
2009	47%	46%
2008	49%	47%
2007	49%	48%
2006	52%	50%
2005	51%	50%
2004	52%	51%
2003	54%	52%
2002	55%	52%
2001	57%	54%
2000	59%	55%
1999	60%	56%
1998	62%	57%
1997	61%	57%
1996	63%	58%
1995	60%	59%
1994	65%	60%
1993	67%	60%
1992	68%	61%
1991	69%	62%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2013-2023)
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	2%	4%
2022	2%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	2%	4%
2019	2%	4%
2018	2%	3%
2017	2%	3%
2016	2%	3%
2015	1%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	1%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,991 is higher than the state median of $14,419. The school district revenue/student has grown by 20% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $14,859 is higher than the state median of $13,816. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.

This School District

This State (FL)

Total Revenue

$62 MM

$41,097 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	$62 MM	$201 MM
2022	$57 MM	$181 MM
2021	$53 MM	$166 MM
2020	$53 MM	$154 MM
2019	$52 MM	$151 MM
2018	$51 MM	$143 MM
2017	$48 MM	$136 MM
2016	$46 MM	$130 MM
2015	$50 MM	$132 MM
2014	$44 MM	$122 MM
2012	$44 MM	$118 MM
2011	$49 MM	$128 MM
2010	$50 MM	$132 MM
2009	$48 MM	$138 MM
2008	$52 MM	$179 MM
2007	$49 MM	$165 MM
2006	$45 MM	$125 MM
2005	$43 MM	$111 MM
2004	$40 MM	$105 MM
2003	$37 MM	$95 MM
2002	$35 MM	$96 MM
2001	$42 MM	$96 MM
2000	$42 MM	$91 MM
1999	$31 MM	$89 MM
1998	$31 MM	$81 MM
1997	$28 MM	$79 MM
1996	$27 MM	$73 MM
1995	$26 MM	$70 MM

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Spending

$62 MM

$39,380 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	$62 MM	$207 MM
2022	$59 MM	$172 MM
2021	$54 MM	$163 MM
2020	$53 MM	$164 MM
2019	$51 MM	$155 MM
2018	$50 MM	$153 MM
2017	$49 MM	$132 MM
2016	$47 MM	$123 MM
2015	$49 MM	$140 MM
2014	$48 MM	$125 MM
2012	$45 MM	$121 MM
2011	$49 MM	$128 MM
2010	$49 MM	$140 MM
2009	$48 MM	$159 MM
2008	$51 MM	$169 MM
2007	$48 MM	$162 MM
2006	$49 MM	$146 MM
2005	$49 MM	$112 MM
2004	$40 MM	$112 MM
2003	$37 MM	$106 MM
2002	$35 MM	$102 MM
2001	$42 MM	$91 MM
2000	$44 MM	$88 MM
1999	$29 MM	$84 MM
1998	$29 MM	$79 MM
1997	$27 MM	$72 MM
1996	$26 MM	$72 MM
1995	$27 MM	$66 MM

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Revenue / Student

$14,991

$14,419

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	$13,594	$17,324
2022	$12,485	$14,745
2021	$11,560	$13,731
2020	$10,688	$14,203
2019	$10,624	$13,737
2018	$10,545	$14,011
2017	$9,821	$14,826
2016	$9,547	$12,788
2015	$10,512	$11,888
2014	$9,335	$12,077
2012	$9,286	$12,051
2011	$9,891	$13,076
2010	$10,004	$11,888
2009	$9,652	$13,793
2008	$10,412	$17,784
2007	$9,703	$16,236
2006	$9,003	$12,292
2005	$8,761	$11,428
2004	$8,052	$11,474
2003	$7,598	$10,268
2002	$7,410	$10,355
2001	$9,101	$10,248
2000	$9,083	$9,668
1999	$6,760	$9,409
1998	$6,860	$7,880
1997	$6,042	$8,424
1995	$6,025	$6,715
1992	$6,028	$7,231

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Spending / Student

$14,859

$13,816

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Desoto School District	Florida
2023	$13,474	$17,878
2022	$12,825	$14,013
2021	$11,810	$13,486
2020	$10,703	$15,154
2019	$10,434	$14,111
2018	$10,343	$14,989
2017	$9,905	$14,369
2016	$9,751	$12,045
2015	$10,279	$12,571
2014	$10,270	$12,287
2012	$9,599	$12,385
2011	$9,864	$13,005
2010	$9,782	$12,571
2009	$9,659	$15,882
2008	$10,283	$16,773
2007	$9,690	$15,907
2006	$9,763	$14,358
2005	$9,875	$11,593
2004	$8,084	$12,298
2003	$7,588	$11,532
2002	$7,380	$11,007
2001	$9,010	$9,672
2000	$9,331	$9,341
1999	$6,318	$8,851
1998	$6,238	$7,639
1997	$5,838	$7,635
1995	$6,122	$6,277
1992	$5,405	$6,693

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Best Desoto School District Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Memorial Elementary School

(Math: 48% | Reading: 35%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

851 E Hickory St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-0755

Gr: PK-5 | 861 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 79%

Rank: #22.

West Elementary School

(Math: 41% | Reading: 34%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

304 W Imogene St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-3155

Gr: PK-5 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%

Rank: #33.

Nocatee Elementary School

(Math: 42% | Reading: 31%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

4846 Sw Shores Ave
Nocatee, FL 34268
(863) 494-4511

Gr: PK-5 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 75%

Rank: #44.

Desoto Middle School

(Math: 33% | Reading: 30%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

420 E Gibson St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-4133

Gr: 6-8 | 922 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%

Rank: #55.

Desoto County High School

(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1710 E Gibson St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-3434

Gr: 9-12 | 1,215 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 67%

Rank: #66.

Desoto Secondary School

Alternative School

(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

318 N Wilson Ave
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-9303

Gr: K-12 | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 51:1 Minority enrollment: 84%

Rank: n/an/a

Reduced Services

Alternative School

Add to Compare

310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333

Gr: K-12 | 9 students

Rank: n/an/a

Teen Parent Pk Child Care Program

Add to Compare

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 8 public schools serving 4,155 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 2022-2023 school year.

What is the racial composition of students in Desoto School District?

54% of Desoto School District students are Hispanic, 29% of students are White, 13% 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 18:1, which is equal to the Florida state average of 18:1.

What is Desoto School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $14,859 is higher than the state median of $13,816. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

District size: 8 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 4,155 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
Minority Enrollment: 71%
: 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