For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public preschools serving 1,958 students in Desoto School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Florida.
Public Preschools in Desoto School District have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Florida public pre school average of 56%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 54% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Florida public preschool average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (FL)
# Schools
8 Schools
1,884 Schools
# Students
4,155 Students
1,096,786 Students
# Teachers
232 Teachers
69,693 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%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
52%
Graduation Rate
75%
87%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)37.2%
33.8%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.61
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
54%
38%
% Black
13%
21%
% White
29%
33%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,838 is higher than the state median of $12,039. The school district revenue/student has grown by 20% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,115 is higher than the state median of $11,691. The school district spending/student has grown by 22% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$53 MM
$34,349 MM
Spending
$55 MM
$33,354 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,838
$12,039
Spending / Student
$13,115
$11,691
Best Desoto School District Public Preschools (2026)
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: n/an/a
310 W Whidden St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-1333
Gr: PK
Recent Articles
The First Six Weeks at a New Public School
The first six weeks reveal how children are adapting to a new public school. Learn which academic, social, emotional, attendance, and routine signals parents should monitor closely.
Will Your Child Receive Enough Individual Attention? Looking Beyond Student-Teacher Ratios
Student-teacher ratios reveal only part of a school’s story. Learn how families can evaluate class size, staffing, teacher access, tutoring, feedback, and personalized support for children today.
What Families Should Ask About AI Use in Public Schools
Families need clear answers about classroom AI. Learn what to ask public schools about teaching, academic integrity, privacy, teacher oversight, equity, and student learning before concerns arise.
