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Memorial Elementary School

Summary:

Memorial Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Arcadia, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 793. 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.

While Memorial Elementary School shares a similar district and demographic profile with nearby schools like Nocatee Elementary and West Elementary, it consistently underperforms in key metrics. The school has a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 25.5% to 40%, compared to the state average and nearby schools. Additionally, its test scores are consistently lower than state and district averages across all grade levels and subjects, with only 33-54% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and Math, compared to state averages of 53-60%.

Further, Memorial Elementary School has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 73.25% to 81.59%, which is significantly higher than the nearby schools. However, the school has the lowest spending per student, ranging from $8,308 to $11,181, compared to the state average and nearby schools like Zolfo Springs Elementary ($11,274) and Nocatee Elementary ($14,673). This suggests that the school may be facing resource and equity challenges that could be contributing to its underperformance, which has been declining over the past several years, dropping from a 2-star rating to a 1-star rating.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 851 E Hickory St
       Arcadia, FL  34266

(863) 494-0755

District: Desoto

SchoolDigger Rank:
1765th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,181 Help


Students who attend Memorial Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Desoto Middle School
High:    Desoto County High School

Student/teacher ratio:  18.0 Help
Number of students:  793

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
56.2%
White:
23.8%
African American:
15.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  81.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Memorial Elementary School ranks worse than 78.2% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks last 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 25.09. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a 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 Student population at Memorial Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (56.2%), White (23.8%), African American (15.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 81.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Memorial Elementary School is 18, which is the highest among 3 elementary schools in the Desoto School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Memorial Elementary School employs 44 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Memorial Elementary School is $11,181. 1 elementary schools in the Desoto School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Memorial 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 Memorial Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 29.40 1230th 1688 27.1%
2007 23.48 1446th 1786 19.0%
2008 42.02 1097th 1789 38.7%
2009 40.42 1192nd 1847 35.5%
2010 55.34 923rd 1919 51.9%
2011 35.70 1353rd 1985 31.8%
2012 24.82 1568th 1984 21.0%
2013 19.61 1737th 2029 14.4%
2014 16.26 1836th 2064 11.0%
2016 22.06 1689th 2087 19.1%
2017 16.91 1869th 2112 11.5%
2018 18.99 1807th 2118 14.7%
2019 24.33 1735th 2182 20.5%
2021 32.72 1498th 2247 33.3%
2022 20.57 1842nd 2219 17.0%
2023 30.68 1595th 2240 28.8%
2024 25.09 1765th 2256 21.8%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

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

Memorial 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 Memorial 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 387 206 7 48 2 n/a n/a 0 650
1989 403 199 7 103 0 n/a n/a 0 712
1990 481 163 4 68 0 n/a n/a 0 716
1991 514 164 4 99 1 n/a n/a 0 782
1992 500 196 3 104 1 n/a n/a 0 804
1993 501 206 4 118 1 n/a n/a 0 830
1994 512 224 3 132 2 n/a n/a 0 873
1995 489 251 4 190 1 n/a n/a 0 935
1996 489 251 4 190 1 n/a n/a 0 935
1997 449 203 4 203 1 n/a n/a 0 860
1998 430 186 6 192 0 n/a n/a 0 814
1999 426 173 4 215 0 n/a n/a 0 818
2000 385 148 7 230 0 n/a n/a 0 770
2001 362 142 7 252 0 n/a n/a 0 763
2002 383 171 5 267 0 n/a n/a 0 826
2003 383 171 5 267 0 n/a n/a 0 826
2004 386 195 7 297 1 n/a n/a 0 886
2005 373 164 7 334 0 n/a n/a 0 878
2006 398 148 5 382 0 n/a n/a 0 933
2007 349 153 5 409 0 n/a n/a 23 939
2008 312 127 8 410 2 n/a n/a 22 881
2009 266 118 10 417 2 n/a n/a 17 830
2010 246 111 7 445 4 n/a n/a 19 832
2011 261 104 9 466 4 0 17 0 861
2012 262 103 14 486 4 1 20 0 890
2013 245 101 9 507 4 1 16 0 883
2014 260 120 4 505 3 1 21 0 914
2015 258 121 5 567 2 2 27 0 982
2016 296 149 8 537 4 2 25 0 1021
2017 273 157 7 520 5 1 28 0 991
2018 249 167 9 477 4 0 23 0 929
2019 267 169 11 517 4 0 21 0 989
2020 287 159 11 521 2 0 22 0 1002
2021 240 137 7 476 3 1 22 0 886
2022 227 127 3 474 2 1 30 0 864
2023 189 124 3 446 2 0 29 0 793

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 Memorial Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 650 39.0 16.6 57.5
1989 712 40.0 17.8 48.6
1990 716 40.0 17.9 52.8
1991 782 46.0 17.0 68.5
1992 804 46.0 17.4 51.4
1993 830 45.0 18.4 52.5
1994 873 49.0 17.8 38
1995 935 50.0 18.7 58
1996 935 50.0 18.7 58
1997 860 46.0 18.7 63
1998 814 46.0 17.7 45.6
1999 818 46.0 17.8 70.3
2000 770 48.0 16.0 70.4
2001 763 50.0 15.3 70.1
2002 826 54.0 15.3 75.3
2003 826 54.0 15.3 75.3
2004 886 59.0 15.0 76.3
2005 878 59.0 14.9 74.6
2006 933 64.0 14.6 72.7
2007 939 61.0 15.4 75.7
2008 881 65.0 13.6 82.4
2009 830 66.9 13.8 84.6
2010 832 53.0 15.7 88.8
2011 861 72.0 11.9 87.8
2012 890 58.0 15.3 87.1
2013 883 54.0 16.3 89.9
2014 914 58.0 15.7 81.2
2015 982 58.0 16.9 70.3
2016 1021 65.0 15.7 76.2
2017 991 61.0 16.2 71.4
2018 929 51.0 18.2 5.9
2019 989 47.0 21.0 72
2020 1002 53.0 18.9 68.2
2021 886 45.0 19.6 73.3
2022 864 45.0 19.2 73.7
2023 793 44.0 18.0 81.6

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 Memorial Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 650 39.0 16.6 57.5
1989 712 40.0 17.8 48.6
1990 716 40.0 17.9 52.8
1991 782 46.0 17.0 68.5
1992 804 46.0 17.4 51.4
1993 830 45.0 18.4 52.5
1994 873 49.0 17.8 38
1995 935 50.0 18.7 58
1996 935 50.0 18.7 58
1997 860 46.0 18.7 63
1998 814 46.0 17.7 45.6
1999 818 46.0 17.8 70.3
2000 770 48.0 16.0 70.4
2001 763 50.0 15.3 70.1
2002 826 54.0 15.3 75.3
2003 826 54.0 15.3 75.3
2004 886 59.0 15.0 76.3
2005 878 59.0 14.9 74.6
2006 933 64.0 14.6 72.7
2007 939 61.0 15.4 75.7
2008 881 65.0 13.6 82.4
2009 830 66.9 13.8 84.6
2010 832 53.0 15.7 88.8
2011 861 72.0 11.9 87.8
2012 890 58.0 15.3 87.1
2013 883 54.0 16.3 89.9
2014 914 58.0 15.7 81.2
2015 982 58.0 16.9 70.3
2016 1021 65.0 15.7 76.2
2017 991 61.0 16.2 71.4
2018 929 51.0 18.2 5.9
2019 989 47.0 21.0 72
2020 1002 53.0 18.9 68.2
2021 886 45.0 19.6 73.3
2022 864 45.0 19.2 73.7
2023 793 44.0 18.0 81.6

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 Memorial Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $1,119 (13.8%) $6,968 (86.2%) $8,087
2019 $1,015 (12.6%) $7,009 (87.4%) $8,024
2020 $1,079 (13.0%) $7,229 (87.0%) $8,308
2021 $1,409 (15.1%) $7,922 (84.9%) $9,331
2022 $2,575 (25.7%) $7,442 (74.3%) $10,017
2023 $3,470 (31.0%) $7,711 (69.0%) $11,181

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Memorial 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 1735th of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 1595th of 2240 Elementary schools
 8.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Memorial Elementary School)3538
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Desoto)3437
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Memorial Elementary School)4041
 1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Desoto)4043
 3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Memorial Elementary School)4436
 8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto)3735
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Memorial Elementary School)6652
 14%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Desoto)5145
 6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Memorial Elementary School)4130
 11%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto)4130
 11%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Memorial Elementary School)5037
 13%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Desoto)4329
 14%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (Memorial Elementary School)3034
 4%
   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 Students989793
 19.8%
African American169124
 26.6%
American Indian42
 50%
Asian113
 72.7%
Hispanic517446
 13.7%
Pacific Islander00
White267189
 29.2%
Two or More Races2129
 38.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients72%81.6%
 9.6%

Schools Near Memorial Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Memorial Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 793 students attended Memorial Elementary School.

Memorial Elementary School ranks in the bottom 21.8% of Florida elementary schools.

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

Middle : Desoto Middle School
High : Desoto County High School

Students at Memorial Elementary School are 56% Hispanic, 24% White, 16% African American, 4% Two or more races.


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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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