Needs Improvement
#2032 of 2,102 schools in WI
De Soto High
High School · De Soto Area School District
615 Main St, De Soto, WI 54624
Enrollment
124
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
124
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In De Soto
#3 of 3
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#468 of 499
In district
#4 of 4
De Soto Area School District
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About De Soto High
De Soto High serves 124 students in grades 9-12 in the small rural community of De Soto, Wisconsin. With just 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #119 out of 2,112 high schools statewide and placing in the 94th percentile among Wisconsin schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its modest size. De Soto High receives a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, indicating above-average performance compared to schools nationwide. As a regular public school, De Soto High serves families throughout Vernon County's rural landscape.
The surrounding community of zip code 54624 is home to approximately 1,587 residents, with a median household income of $78,409 and a relatively low poverty rate of 7.1 percent. The area's median home value of $161,700 reflects the affordable, small-town character of the region. Located at 615 Main Street in the heart of De Soto, the school sits within a close-knit rural community where agriculture and small-town values shape the educational environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 124 students, De Soto High 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, De Soto High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, De Soto High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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De Soto High — Students at De Soto High score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.2/10.
How De Soto High Compares
See how De Soto High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 15% (2021).
Location
615 Main St, De Soto, WI 54624
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering De Soto High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kee High School (rated 7.4/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Lansing), which scores notably higher. Another option is Seneca High (rated 5.8/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Seneca), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Viroqua High (rated 5.6/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Viroqua), which scores notably higher. For more schools in De Soto, see our De Soto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| De Soto Middle De Soto | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| De Soto Virtual School De Soto | 0.0 mi | — |
| Kee High School Lansing | 4.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Lansing Middle School Lansing | 4.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Prairie View Elementary De Soto | 5.7 mi | 6.5 |
| New Albin Elementary School Lansing | 6.5 mi | 7.3 |
| ST CHARLES ELEMENTERY SCHOOL Genoa | 10.1 mi | — |
| Stoddard Elementary Stoddard | 16.4 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MATTHEW'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stoddard | 16.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Seneca Elementary Seneca | 16.5 mi | 9.0 |
| Seneca High Seneca | 16.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Seneca Junior High Seneca | 16.5 mi | 6.4 |
| COON VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Westby | 18.5 mi | — |
| Southern Bluffs Elementary La Crosse | 22.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Viroqua Elementary Viroqua | 17.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Viroqua Area Montessori School Viroqua | 17.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Laurel High Viroqua | 17.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Viroqua High Viroqua | 17.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Viroqua Middle Viroqua | 17.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Vernon County Area Better Futures High Viroqua | 17.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 54624 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,558
Median Home Value
$184,000
Median Rent
$778/mo
Population
1,545
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
89%
Avg Commute
35.3 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
55.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding De Soto High has a median household income of $78,558. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $184,000, with a median rent of $778/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Elmwood High Elmwood, WI | 3.7 |
| John Edwards High Port Edwards, WI | 3.7 |
| iLEAD Charter Sch Mauston, WI | 3.7 |
| Barneveld High Barneveld, WI | 3.8 |
| Wausaukee High Wausaukee, WI | 3.9 |
| Holcombe High Holcombe, WI | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about De Soto High
What grades does De Soto High serve?
De Soto High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend De Soto High?
De Soto High has an enrollment of approximately 124 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at De Soto High?
The student-teacher ratio at De Soto High is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does De Soto High rank in WI?
De Soto High is ranked #2032 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is De Soto High's MySchoolScout rating?
De Soto High has a composite rating of 3.7 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 De Soto High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, De Soto High has 22.5% math proficiency and 32.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is De Soto High a charter school?
No, De Soto High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is De Soto High a Title I school?
No, De Soto High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for De Soto High?
38.7% of students at De Soto High 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
- County Safety
- Low (223/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 124
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Vernon County
- Phone
- (608) 648-0100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
De Soto Area School District- District Enrollment
- 455
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,823
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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