Below Average
#3142 of 3,778 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
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,259
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#3,142 of 3,778
In Arcadia
#3 of 5
public schools
In district
#4 of 6
DESOTO
Shortlisting around Desoto County High School?
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Desoto County High School
High School in Arcadia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Desoto Middle School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Faith Community Christian Academy
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desoto County High School
Desoto County High School is a public high school in Arcadia, FL, part of DESOTO. Desoto County High School serves approximately 1,259 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Desoto County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,142 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Desoto County High School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- FL avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Desoto County High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View 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: 46%).
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 28 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: 3.3/10.
How Desoto County High School Compares
See how Desoto County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. DEEP CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Pt Charlotte), which scores notably higher. Another option is ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Zolfo Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby North Port), 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 | 3.8 |
| FAITH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Arcadia | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arcadia | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| DESOTO SECONDARY SCHOOL Arcadia | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| NOCATEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nocatee | 5.5 mi | 5.4 |
| 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 | 7.7 |
| DEEP CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pt Charlotte | 19.5 mi | 8.4 |
| JOYFUL NOISE LEARNING CENTER Port Charlotte | 19.8 mi | — |
| HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula | 21.1 mi | 5.5 |
| CHARLOTTE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Port Charlotte | 20.0 mi | 6.1 |
| KINGSWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Charlotte | 20.2 mi | 5.3 |
| PORT CHARLOTTE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Port Charlotte | 20.3 mi | 6.4 |
| WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL North Port | 19.7 mi | 7.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AMOS P. GODBY HIGH SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL | 4.5 |
| BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SENIOR HIGH Miami, FL | 4.5 |
| BRADFORD HIGH SCHOOL Starke, FL | 4.5 |
| COCOA HIGH SCHOOL Cocoa, FL | 4.5 |
| DUNNELLON HIGH SCHOOL Dunnellon, FL | 4.5 |
| RUTHERFORD HIGH SCHOOL Panama City, FL | 4.5 |
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.9%
- Phone
- (863) 494-3434
- 4-Year Graduation
- 86.0%
Resources & Links
District
DESOTO- District Enrollment
- 4,286
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,385
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
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