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Below Average

#3204 of 3,778 schools in FL

Desoto Secondary School

School · DESOTO

318 N WILSON AVE, Arcadia, FL 34266

Enrollment

68

Score

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#3,204 of 3,778

In Arcadia

#4 of 5

public schools

In district

#5 of 6

DESOTO

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Desoto Secondary School

4.4/10

School in Arcadia · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Elementary School

5.1/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Reduced Services

Nearby

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Desoto Secondary School

Desoto Secondary School is a public school in Arcadia, FL, part of DESOTO. Desoto Secondary School serves approximately 68 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th. Desoto Secondary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,204 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Desoto Secondary School show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • FL avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 68 students, Desoto Secondary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Test scores at Desoto Secondary School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.5% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.7% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-31.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.6 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate49.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$12,385

Desoto Secondary School — Students at Desoto Secondary School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.1% (multi-year average, 2013-2024)
School
State
50.9% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 20.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.2% (2024 FAST)

Based on 23 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
ELA
24.5%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2014
ELA
24.5%
2015
ELA
24.5%
2016
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
16.6%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
15.5%
ELA
18.7%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Desoto Secondary School Compares

See how Desoto Secondary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
15th percentile in FL
Academic
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 5.1
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 3.8
MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arcadia 1.3 mi 5.0
FAITH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Arcadia 1.5 mi 6.4
DESOTO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Arcadia 1.8 mi 4.5
NOCATEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nocatee 5.0 mi 5.4
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 8.4
ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zolfo Springs 19.4 mi 7.7
JOYFUL NOISE LEARNING CENTER Port Charlotte 18.8 mi
WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL North Port 18.2 mi 7.0
CHARLOTTE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Port Charlotte 18.9 mi 6.1
ATWATER ELEMENTARY North Port 18.5 mi 9.2
KINGSWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Charlotte 19.1 mi 5.3
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
GARDENDALE SEPARATE DAY SCHOOL Merritt Island, FL 4.4
GRACEPOINTE ACADEMY Summerfield, FL 4.4
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL CALLAHAM Callahan, FL 4.4
PALM BEACH REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER West Palm Beach, FL 4.4
REFINE LEARNING CENTER II, INC. Fort Lauderdale, FL 4.4
SEMINOLE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER Sanford, FL 4.4

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 ranks #3,204 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Desoto Secondary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desoto Secondary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Secondary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desoto Secondary School has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
68
0
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.9%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Town
County
DeSoto County
4-Year Graduation
49.5%

District

DESOTO
District Enrollment
4,286
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,385
District Rank
#5 of 6

How we rate schools

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