For the 2026-27 school year, there are 6 public elementary schools serving 2,940 students in Desoto School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Florida.
Public Elementary Schools in Desoto School District have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Florida public elementary school average of 56%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 53% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Florida public elementary school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (FL)
# Schools
8 Schools
3,410 Schools
# Students
4,155 Students
2,014,387 Students
# Teachers
232 Teachers
117,874 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
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.
Overall District Rank
#69 out of 73 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
52%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
52%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
52%
Graduation Rate
75%
88%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)37.2%
33.8%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.61
0.70
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
3%
Showing 2006–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
54%
38%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
13%
21%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
29%
33%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
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.
Total Revenue
$62 MM
$41,097 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$62 MM
$39,380 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$14,991
$14,419
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$14,859
$13,816
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Desoto School District Public Elementary Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
851 E Hickory St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-0755
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%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
304 W Imogene St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-3155
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%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4846 Sw Shores Ave
Nocatee, FL 34268
(863) 494-4511
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%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
420 E Gibson St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-4133
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 494-4133
Gr: 6-8 | 922 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #55.
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
Gr: K-12 | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 51:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: n/an/a
Reduced Services
Alternative School
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Gr: K-12 | 9 students
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