Below Average
#3477 of 3,777 schools in FL
Desoto County High School
High School · DESOTO
1710 E GIBSON ST, Arcadia, FL 34266
Enrollment
1,259
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,259
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arcadia
#5 of 5
public schools
Florida high schools
#570 of 748
In district
#6 of 6
DESOTO
About Desoto County High School
DeSoto County High School serves 1,259 students in grades 9-12 in Arcadia, Florida, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 across 69 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has significant room for academic growth, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and ranking in the 13th percentile among Florida high schools. Currently, 34% of students perform at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels.
The school serves a community where economic challenges are prevalent, with a median household income of $41,328 and a poverty rate of 30.2% in the surrounding 34266 ZIP code area. The neighborhood reflects a working-class character, with only 10% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values at $131,500. Despite these socioeconomic factors that often correlate with educational challenges, the school continues its mission to educate nearly 1,300 students in this close-knit community.
DeSoto County High School operates in the heart of Arcadia, a town setting in DeSoto County where families value education as a pathway forward for their children amid the area's rural Florida landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Desoto County High School — Students at Desoto County High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.
How Desoto County High School Compares
See how Desoto County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 26% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 33% (2021).
Location
1710 E GIBSON ST, Arcadia, FL 34266
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desoto County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NOCATEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Nocatee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KINGSWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 20.2 miles away, in nearby Port Charlotte), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Arcadia, see our Arcadia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL Arcadia | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| FAITH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Arcadia | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arcadia | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| DESOTO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcadia | 1.4 mi | — |
| REDUCED SERVICES Arcadia | 1.5 mi | — |
| DESOTO VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Arcadia | 1.5 mi | — |
| DESOTO VIRTUAL ACADEMY Arcadia | 1.5 mi | — |
| WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arcadia | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| DESOTO SECONDARY SCHOOL Arcadia | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| NOCATEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nocatee | 5.5 mi | 7.2 |
| GATOR WILDERNESS CAMP SCHOOL Punta Gorda | 15.9 mi | — |
| FAITH PREPARATORY SCHOOL Lake Suzy | 17.6 mi | — |
| ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zolfo Springs | 19.1 mi | 6.1 |
| DEEP CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pt Charlotte | 19.5 mi | 6.8 |
| JOYFUL NOISE LEARNING CENTER Port Charlotte | 19.8 mi | — |
| HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula | 21.1 mi | 3.1 |
| CHARLOTTE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Port Charlotte | 20.0 mi | 6.1 |
| KINGSWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Charlotte | 20.2 mi | 7.1 |
| PORT CHARLOTTE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Port Charlotte | 20.3 mi | 6.4 |
| WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL North Port | 19.7 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 34266 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,414
Median Home Value
$144,600
Median Rent
$907/mo
Population
29,065
College Educated
9.7%
Homeownership
66.2%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
25.9%
Median Age
39.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desoto County High School has a median household income of $47,414. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,600, with a median rent of $907/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BISHOP KENNY HIGH SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 4.3 |
| CLEARWATER HIGH SCHOOL Clearwater, FL | 4.3 |
| MIAMI CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Miami, FL | 4.3 |
| BAY HIGH SCHOOL Panama City, FL | 4.2 |
| CLEWISTON HIGH SCHOOL Clewiston, FL | 4.2 |
| GLADES CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Belle Glade, FL | 4.2 |
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 is ranked #3477 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Desoto County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desoto County High School has a composite rating of 4.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Desoto County High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desoto County High School has 30.0% math proficiency and 32.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Arcadia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,259
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 69
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- DeSoto County
- Phone
- (863) 494-3434
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DESOTO- District Enrollment
- 4,286
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,385
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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