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West Elementary School

Summary:

West Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Arcadia, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 795 students. The school is part of the Desoto District, which is ranked 67th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. West Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Florida elementary schools, with a ranking between 1460 and 1935 out of around 2,200-2,300 schools over the past several years.

West Elementary School faces significant challenges in terms of academic performance, student demographics, and resource allocation compared to both nearby and higher-performing schools. The school has consistently underperformed the state and district averages in English Language Arts, Math, and Science proficiency, with 5th-grade Science proficiency at 43% compared to the state average of 53% and the district average of 43%. Additionally, West Elementary has much higher rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 23.4% to 31.5%, compared to the nearby Nocatee Elementary School and Memorial Elementary School, which have rates ranging from 22.5% to 28.9%.

When comparing West Elementary School to higher-performing schools in the nearby Sarasota and Charlotte districts, such as Atwater Elementary and Deep Creek Elementary, the differences in academic achievement, student demographics, and resource allocation become even more pronounced. Addressing the underlying issues at West Elementary, such as high rates of chronic absenteeism and economic disadvantage, will be crucial in improving the overall performance of the school.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 304 W Imogene St
       Arcadia, FL  34266

(863) 494-3155

District: Desoto

SchoolDigger Rank:
1460th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,157 Help


Students who attend West Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Desoto Middle School
High:    Desoto County High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.6 Help
Number of students:  795

Racial breakdown:

White:
45.8%
Hispanic:
41.5%
African American:
9.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  73.3% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details West Elementary School ranks worse than 64.7% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks first among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Desoto School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 35.93. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details West Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Desoto School District. Racial makeup is: White (45.8%), Hispanic (41.5%), African American (9.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 73.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Desoto School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at West Elementary School is 17.6. 1 elementary schools in the Desoto School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare West Elementary School employs 45 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Elementary School is $11,157, which is the lowest among 3 elementary schools in the Desoto School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

West Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Desoto:

SchoolDigger ranks Desoto 67th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for West Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 56.81 745th 1688 55.9%
2007 66.86 620th 1786 65.3%
2008 69.36 552nd 1789 69.1%
2009 63.28 706th 1847 61.8%
2010 49.30 1051st 1919 45.2%
2011 38.25 1300th 1985 34.5%
2012 36.61 1285th 1984 35.2%
2013 26.76 1576th 2029 22.3%
2014 24.18 1645th 2064 20.3%
2016 23.53 1655th 2087 20.7%
2017 14.77 1917th 2112 9.2%
2018 20.20 1779th 2118 16.0%
2019 22.45 1775th 2182 18.7%
2021 19.25 1855th 2247 17.4%
2022 17.18 1935th 2219 12.8%
2023 20.83 1880th 2240 16.1%
2024 35.93 1460th 2256 35.3%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

West Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for West Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 392 100 6 33 0 n/a n/a 0 531
1989 422 170 4 55 0 n/a n/a 0 651
1990 445 184 1 53 3 n/a n/a 0 686
1991 491 172 6 45 1 n/a n/a 0 715
1992 529 153 4 55 1 n/a n/a 0 742
1993 522 166 3 58 5 n/a n/a 0 754
1994 506 180 3 45 4 n/a n/a 0 738
1995 509 178 2 74 3 n/a n/a 0 766
1996 509 178 2 74 3 n/a n/a 0 766
1997 564 201 1 93 3 n/a n/a 0 862
1998 532 194 2 77 3 n/a n/a 0 808
1999 513 179 2 85 1 n/a n/a 0 780
2000 504 203 3 100 0 n/a n/a 0 810
2001 508 182 3 103 0 n/a n/a 0 796
2002 434 149 0 140 0 n/a n/a 0 723
2003 434 149 0 140 0 n/a n/a 0 723
2004 434 120 2 166 0 n/a n/a 0 722
2005 411 124 1 180 0 n/a n/a 0 716
2006 424 98 3 195 0 n/a n/a 0 720
2007 435 82 3 206 0 n/a n/a 8 734
2008 485 87 1 228 0 n/a n/a 16 817
2009 520 113 4 242 0 n/a n/a 15 894
2010 526 134 1 291 0 n/a n/a 23 975
2011 523 138 1 283 0 0 25 0 970
2012 477 131 0 252 0 0 23 0 883
2013 457 129 0 276 0 0 27 0 889
2014 404 116 2 281 0 0 19 0 822
2015 421 116 3 286 1 0 20 0 847
2016 404 108 3 299 1 0 20 0 835
2017 402 93 5 306 0 0 30 0 836
2018 388 80 5 299 1 0 31 0 804
2019 425 84 2 308 2 2 30 0 853
2020 422 96 2 347 3 4 33 0 907
2021 338 92 1 308 2 3 23 0 767
2022 355 89 2 309 1 3 21 0 780
2023 364 79 4 330 0 0 18 0 795

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at West Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 531 38.0 13.9 51.6
1989 651 39.0 16.6 53.3
1990 686 40.0 17.1 59.2
1991 715 41.0 17.4 58.2
1992 742 41.0 18.0 50.8
1993 754 41.0 18.4 55.4
1994 738 42.0 17.6 8
1995 766 40.0 19.2 55
1996 766 40.0 19.2 55
1997 862 45.0 19.2 56.6
1998 808 48.0 16.8 42.9
1999 780 45.0 17.3 65.3
2000 810 48.0 16.9 66.3
2001 796 49.0 16.2 63.8
2002 723 49.0 14.8 65.7
2003 723 49.0 14.8 65.7
2004 722 50.0 14.4 69.1
2005 716 50.0 14.3 66.9
2006 720 51.0 14.1 60.6
2007 734 53.0 13.8 59.1
2008 817 57.0 14.3 63.5
2009 894 66.3 15.0 68.3
2010 975 61.0 15.9 74.1
2011 970 83.0 11.6 73.7
2012 883 56.0 15.7 72.6
2013 889 57.0 15.5 76.4
2014 822 55.0 14.9 66.5
2015 847 44.0 19.2 61.7
2016 835 51.0 16.3 66.6
2017 836 52.0 16.0 65.6
2018 804 49.0 16.4 3.6
2019 853 44.0 19.3 62.4
2020 907 48.0 18.8 60
2021 767 46.0 16.6 64.8
2022 780 46.0 16.9 65.6
2023 795 45.0 17.6 73.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio West Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 531 38.0 13.9 51.6
1989 651 39.0 16.6 53.3
1990 686 40.0 17.1 59.2
1991 715 41.0 17.4 58.2
1992 742 41.0 18.0 50.8
1993 754 41.0 18.4 55.4
1994 738 42.0 17.6 8
1995 766 40.0 19.2 55
1996 766 40.0 19.2 55
1997 862 45.0 19.2 56.6
1998 808 48.0 16.8 42.9
1999 780 45.0 17.3 65.3
2000 810 48.0 16.9 66.3
2001 796 49.0 16.2 63.8
2002 723 49.0 14.8 65.7
2003 723 49.0 14.8 65.7
2004 722 50.0 14.4 69.1
2005 716 50.0 14.3 66.9
2006 720 51.0 14.1 60.6
2007 734 53.0 13.8 59.1
2008 817 57.0 14.3 63.5
2009 894 66.3 15.0 68.3
2010 975 61.0 15.9 74.1
2011 970 83.0 11.6 73.7
2012 883 56.0 15.7 72.6
2013 889 57.0 15.5 76.4
2014 822 55.0 14.9 66.5
2015 847 44.0 19.2 61.7
2016 835 51.0 16.3 66.6
2017 836 52.0 16.0 65.6
2018 804 49.0 16.4 3.6
2019 853 44.0 19.3 62.4
2020 907 48.0 18.8 60
2021 767 46.0 16.6 64.8
2022 780 46.0 16.9 65.6
2023 795 45.0 17.6 73.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for West Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $1,338 (14.8%) $7,677 (85.2%) $9,015
2019 $988 (11.5%) $7,605 (88.5%) $8,593
2020 $1,210 (13.1%) $8,016 (86.9%) $9,227
2021 $1,579 (14.7%) $9,134 (85.3%) $10,712
2022 $3,083 (25.8%) $8,884 (74.2%) $11,968
2023 $2,859 (25.6%) $8,299 (74.4%) $11,157

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on West Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 1775th of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 1880th of 2240 Elementary schools
 2.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (West Elementary School)4235
 7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Desoto)3437
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)4543
 2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Desoto)4043
 3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (West Elementary School)3834
 4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto)3735
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)4742
 5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Desoto)5145
 6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (West Elementary School)4633
 13%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto)4130
 11%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)3526
 9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Desoto)4329
 14%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (West Elementary School)4418
 26%
   5th Grade Science (Desoto)3629
 7%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students853795
 6.8%
African American8479
 6%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian24
 100%
Hispanic308330
 7.1%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White425364
 14.4%
Two or More Races3018
 40%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients62.4%73.3%
 11%

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Frequently Asked Questions about West Elementary School

West Elementary School ranks 1460th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at West Elementary School are 46% White, 42% Hispanic, 10% African American, 2% Two or more races.

Students who attend West Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Desoto Middle School
High : Desoto County High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 795 students attended West Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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