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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Math vs. State Avg-42.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-45.3 pts
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-28.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$12,175

Desoto Secondary School — Students at Desoto Secondary School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

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 11.5%
School
State
50.9%
ELA Proficiency 17.2%
School
State
51.2%

Based on 9 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
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: 8.4/10.

How Desoto Secondary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
22th percentile in FL
Academic
1.6/10
1.6/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
0
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.9%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Town
County
DeSoto County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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