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Very Good

#671 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 32% in state

De Soto Middle

Middle School · De Soto Area School District

615 Main St, De Soto, WI 54624

Enrollment

108

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In De Soto

#1 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#185 of 387

In district

#1 of 4

De Soto Area School District

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About De Soto Middle

De Soto Middle, a regular public school located in the rural setting of De Soto, Wisconsin, serves students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 108 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with seven full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, De Soto Middle has received a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks as the 1121st best middle school in Wisconsin among 2112 schools.

In reading and ELA, 44% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 48% meet proficiency standards. The school is focused on improving academic performance and offers a nurturing atmosphere for its students to grow and develop their skills. Situated in the heart of De Soto's rural community, the school plays an important role in fostering local educational opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 108 students, De Soto Middle 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.

Located in a rural area, De Soto Middle 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-20.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.8 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment5.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,086

De Soto Middle — Students at De Soto Middle score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 44.5%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
55%
ELA
51.1%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How De Soto Middle Compares

See how De Soto Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
68th percentile in WI
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

615 Main St, De Soto, WI 54624

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering De Soto Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Viroqua Middle (rated 8.2/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Viroqua), which scores notably higher. Another option is Seneca Junior High (rated 6.4/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Seneca), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lansing Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Lansing), a more accessible option. For more schools in De Soto, see our De Soto schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.3 mi
School Distance Rating
De Soto High De Soto 0.0 mi 3.7
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 Middle 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
John Edwards Middle Port Edwards, WI 7.1
Randolph Middle School Randolph, WI 7.1
Wausaukee Middle Wausaukee, WI 7.1
Florence Middle Florence, WI 7.0
Marshall Middle Marshall, WI 7.0
Williams Bay Middle Williams Bay, WI 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about De Soto Middle

What grades does De Soto Middle serve?

De Soto Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend De Soto Middle?

De Soto Middle has an enrollment of approximately 108 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at De Soto Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at De Soto Middle is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does De Soto Middle rank in WI?

De Soto Middle is ranked #671 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is De Soto Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

De Soto Middle has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, De Soto Middle has 47.8% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is De Soto Middle a charter school?

No, De Soto Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is De Soto Middle a Title I school?

No, De Soto Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for De Soto Middle?

43.5% of students at De Soto Middle 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
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (223/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Vernon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

De Soto Area School District
District Enrollment
455
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,823
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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