Best Schools in Arcadia, Florida
12 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 8 Other
Choosing a school in Arcadia?
Use this page to compare every school in Arcadia by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Memorial Elementary School
Elementary · Desoto. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Desoto Middle School
Middle · Desoto. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
West Elementary School
Elementary · Desoto. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Arcadia for 2026 are Memorial Elementary School (6.9/10), Desoto Middle School (6.6/10), and West Elementary School (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
12
8 public · 4 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$166,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
12
8 public · 4 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$166,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Arcadia
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 rated schools; 12 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorial Elementary School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Desoto Middle School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 3 | West Elementary School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Desoto County High School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Desoto Secondary School | 2.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $51,103
- Median home value
- $166,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Arcadia compares
Florida rank
#240 of 286
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Florida avg (6.3)
Median household income
$51k
68% of Florida median
Schools in this city
8
Desoto runs Arcadia's public schools
8 public schools. Desoto is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Arcadia is a Desoto school (8 of 8).
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.8 to 6.9 — the spread is inside Arcadia, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Arcadia, Florida
Arcadia, Florida is home to 12 schools, including 8 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Arcadia show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Arcadia is Memorial Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Arcadia is served by 1 school district: DESOTO. These districts collectively serve 4,286 students.
Arcadia's community shows 13% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $51,103. The poverty rate in the area is 17.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 820 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.9 |
| 2 | 684 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,011 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,259 students · 9th–12th | 5.0 |
Other Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68 students · Kindergarten–12th | 2.8 | ||
| 2 | 12 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 3 | 10 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 4 | 6 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Arcadia Christian AcademyPrivate 191 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 157 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 176 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Desoto Christian SchoolPrivate 4 students · 3rd–9th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Arcadia
Arcadia, Florida · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$51,103
Median Home Value
$166,700
Median Rent
$951/mo
Population
34,176
College Educated
13%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Community Profile
Arcadia has a median household income of $51,103. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,700, with a median rent of $951/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Florida
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 8
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in Florida
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Arcadia, Florida
How many schools are in Arcadia, Florida?
Arcadia has 12 schools, including 8 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Arcadia, Florida?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Arcadia is 5.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Arcadia, Florida?
The top-ranked school in Arcadia on MySchoolScout is Memorial Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Arcadia, Florida?
The top-ranked elementary school in Arcadia on MySchoolScout is Memorial Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Arcadia, Florida?
The top-ranked middle school in Arcadia on MySchoolScout is Desoto Middle School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best high school in Arcadia, Florida?
The top-ranked high school in Arcadia on MySchoolScout is Desoto County High School with a composite score of 5.0/10.
How many school districts serve Arcadia, Florida?
Arcadia is served by 1 school district: Desoto.
What is the education level in Arcadia, Florida?
According to Census data, 13% of adults in Arcadia have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Arcadia, Florida?
The median household income in Arcadia is approximately $51,103 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Arcadia, Florida?
Yes, Arcadia has 4 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Arcadia Christian Academy with a score of 6.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Arcadia, Florida?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Arcadia is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Arcadia, Florida?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Florida Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.