Average
#2954 of 3,777 schools in FL
Desoto Secondary School
School · DESOTO
318 N WILSON AVE, Arcadia, FL 34266
Enrollment
68
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
68
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arcadia
#4 of 5
public schools
Florida schools
#187 of 260
In district
#5 of 6
DESOTO
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Desoto Secondary School
Desoto Secondary School is an alternative school located in Arcadia, Florida, serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 68 students, the school offers a small and personalized learning environment. Although specific student-teacher ratio details are not provided, the intimate setting allows for individualized attention and support.
Academically, Desoto Secondary School currently ranks in the lower percentile among Florida schools, with test scores showing areas where growth is needed. Only 17% of students met or exceeded proficiency standards in ELA/Reading, while 12% did so in Math. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to providing educational opportunities and support for its diverse student body.
Located within a town setting, Desoto Secondary School benefits from being part of a close-knit community that values education and offers resources to help students succeed. The school's location makes it accessible to local families seeking an alternative educational pathway.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 68 students, Desoto Secondary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Desoto Secondary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Desoto Secondary School — Students at Desoto Secondary School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 9 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: 8.4/10.
How Desoto Secondary School Compares
See how Desoto Secondary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 5% (2021).
Location
318 N WILSON AVE, Arcadia, FL 34266
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desoto Secondary School may also want to explore other schools in the area. FAITH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PORT CHARLOTTE ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Port Charlotte), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Arcadia, see our Arcadia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arcadia | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| REDUCED SERVICES Arcadia | 0.5 mi | — |
| DESOTO VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Arcadia | 0.5 mi | — |
| DESOTO VIRTUAL ACADEMY Arcadia | 0.5 mi | — |
| DESOTO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcadia | 0.7 mi | — |
| DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL Arcadia | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arcadia | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| FAITH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Arcadia | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| DESOTO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Arcadia | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| NOCATEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nocatee | 5.0 mi | 7.2 |
| FAITH PREPARATORY SCHOOL Lake Suzy | 16.5 mi | — |
| GATOR WILDERNESS CAMP SCHOOL Punta Gorda | 17.0 mi | — |
| DEEP CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pt Charlotte | 18.7 mi | 6.8 |
| ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zolfo Springs | 19.4 mi | 6.1 |
| JOYFUL NOISE LEARNING CENTER Port Charlotte | 18.8 mi | — |
| WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL North Port | 18.2 mi | 6.8 |
| CHARLOTTE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Port Charlotte | 18.9 mi | 6.1 |
| ATWATER ELEMENTARY North Port | 18.5 mi | 7.9 |
| KINGSWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Charlotte | 19.1 mi | 7.1 |
| PORT CHARLOTTE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Port Charlotte | 19.3 mi | 6.4 |
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 Secondary 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 |
|---|---|
| CROSS CREEK SCHOOL Pompano Beach, FL | 5.2 |
| EBENEZER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florida City, FL | 5.2 |
| LEGACY ELITE CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 5.2 |
| NORTHDADE REGIONAL ACADEMY Miami, FL | 5.2 |
| OKEECHOBEE VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Okeechobee, FL | 5.2 |
| PALM GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sarasota, FL | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desoto Secondary School
What grades does Desoto Secondary School serve?
Desoto Secondary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Desoto Secondary School?
Desoto Secondary School has an enrollment of approximately 68 students.
How does Desoto Secondary School rank in FL?
Desoto Secondary School is ranked #2954 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Desoto Secondary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desoto Secondary School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Secondary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desoto Secondary School has 11.5% math proficiency and 17.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desoto Secondary School a charter school?
No, Desoto Secondary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desoto Secondary School a Title I school?
No, Desoto Secondary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desoto Secondary School?
80.9% of students at Desoto Secondary 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
- City Safety
- High (1,878/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Arcadia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.9%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- DeSoto County
- Phone
- (863) 494-9303
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DESOTO- District Enrollment
- 4,286
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,385
- District Rank
- #5 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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