Below Average
#3142 of 3,778 schools in FL
Desoto County High School
High School · Desoto · Arcadia, FL
A high school in Arcadia, FL where students score 16 points below what's typical for similar communities.
1710 E GIBSON ST, Arcadia, FL 34266
- Math 26% proficient (2021)
- Reading 34% vs FL 53% (2024)
- 86.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at Desoto County High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
2024 FAST proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. FL average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 14 points across the 16-year record (2009–2024) and has held near 34% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 39% (multi-year average, 2009-2021) · reading/ELA 33% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from FL state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
61.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Desoto County High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 12Car-Dependent
- Bike 40Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High1,878/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Arcadia), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$47,414
Median home value
$144,600
Median rent
$907/mo
College educated
9.7%
Homeownership
66.2%
Poverty rate
25.9%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 34266; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faith Community Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | 6.4 | K–12 | 0.9 mi | 137 | Compare → |
| Desoto Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K–12 | 1.4 mi | 11 | Compare → |
| Desoto Virtual AcademyEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | K–12 | 1.5 mi | 6 | Compare → |
| Desoto Virtual FranchiseEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | K–12 | 1.5 mi | 10 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Desoto
- Schools in district
- 10
- Rank in district
- #4 of 6
- District spending per student
- $12,385NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 31.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
Desoto County High School is listed in DESOTO; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Desoto County High School
Desoto County High School is a public high school in Arcadia, FL, part of Desoto, serving approximately 1,259 students in grades 9th-12th with a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,142 of 3,778 schools in FL. State assessment records show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Desoto County High School
What grades does Desoto County High School serve?
Desoto County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Desoto County High School?
Desoto County High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,259 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desoto County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desoto County High School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desoto County High School rank in FL?
Desoto County High School ranks #3,142 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Desoto County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desoto County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Desoto County High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desoto County High School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Desoto County High School a charter school?
No, Desoto County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desoto County High School a Title I school?
No, Desoto County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desoto County High School?
61.5% of students at Desoto County High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,259
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 69
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- DeSoto County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.9%
- Phone
- (863) 494-3434
- 4-Year Graduation
- 86.0%
- Area population (ZIP 34266)
- 29,065
- Area average commute
- 30.2 min
- Area median age
- 39.7
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2021 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2021 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 FAST · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 FAST. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 34266; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2021, multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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