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Desoto Middle School

Summary:

Desoto Middle School is a public middle school located in Arcadia, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 1,169 students. The school is part of the Desoto District, which is ranked 67th out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 0 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Desoto Middle School faces significant challenges, with consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, low test scores, and a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. The school's performance has been declining over the years, as evidenced by its decreasing statewide ranking and consistent 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. In comparison, Woodland Middle School, located in the neighboring Sarasota District, which is ranked 8th out of 68 districts in Florida and rated 4 stars out of 5, significantly outperforms Desoto Middle School across various metrics.

The high chronic absenteeism rates, low test scores, and high percentage of economically disadvantaged students at Desoto Middle School suggest that the school may be facing significant challenges in providing a quality education to its students. Factors such as socioeconomic status, access to resources, and teacher quality may be contributing to the school's underperformance. The school may need to implement targeted interventions and strategies to address these issues and improve student outcomes.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 420 E Gibson St
       Arcadia, FL  34266

(863) 494-4133

District: Desoto

SchoolDigger Rank:
967th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,790 Help


Students who attend Desoto Middle School usually attend:

High:    Desoto County High School

Feeder schools for Desoto Middle School:

Elementary:    Memorial Elementary School
    Nocatee Elementary School
    West Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  23.8 Help
Number of students:  1,169

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
52.3%
White:
31.7%
African American:
12.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  73.8% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Desoto Middle School ranks worse than 80.9% of middle schools in Florida. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.24. (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
Help
Compare Details Student population at Desoto Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (52.3%), White (31.7%), African American (12.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 73.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Desoto Middle School is 23.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Desoto Middle School employs 49 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Desoto Middle School is $9,790.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Desoto Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Desoto Middle School 967th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Desoto Middle School in the ranking list.)

Desoto:

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

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Desoto Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 28.89 450th 593 24.1%
2005 44.67 363rd 602 39.7%
2006 36.45 456th 675 32.4%
2007 42.00 459th 736 37.6%
2008 38.58 498th 740 32.7%
2009 45.65 462nd 780 40.8%
2010 43.64 524th 839 37.5%
2011 44.50 549th 891 38.4%
2012 36.13 592nd 897 34.0%
2013 33.57 654th 956 31.6%
2014 33.35 670th 999 32.9%
2016 14.56 883rd 997 11.4%
2017 16.62 882nd 1031 14.5%
2018 20.77 845th 1035 18.4%
2019 19.35 916th 1099 16.7%
2021 19.81 938th 1136 17.4%
2022 18.37 978th 1148 14.8%
2023 20.88 966th 1177 17.9%
2024 22.24 967th 1196 19.1%
See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

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

Desoto Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Saturday, January 29, 2022

Open Quote Violence and drugs run rampant. Leadership doesn’t care about the kids Close Quote



Enrollment information for Desoto Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 601 198 5 43 0 n/a n/a 0 847
1989 596 174 5 63 0 n/a n/a 0 838
1990 577 181 10 58 2 n/a n/a 0 828
1991 576 192 10 69 0 n/a n/a 0 847
1992 634 208 7 85 0 n/a n/a 0 934
1993 664 222 6 86 0 n/a n/a 0 978
1994 637 206 9 114 1 n/a n/a 0 967
1995 668 182 8 157 4 n/a n/a 0 1019
1996 668 182 8 157 4 n/a n/a 0 1019
1997 647 207 5 175 2 n/a n/a 0 1036
1998 654 212 5 170 4 n/a n/a 0 1045
1999 614 212 3 209 4 n/a n/a 0 1042
2000 640 209 2 201 5 n/a n/a 0 1057
2001 637 194 4 229 3 n/a n/a 0 1067
2002 611 203 8 275 0 n/a n/a 0 1097
2003 611 203 8 275 0 n/a n/a 0 1097
2004 583 186 7 276 0 n/a n/a 0 1052
2005 574 174 6 294 0 n/a n/a 0 1048
2006 550 154 6 310 0 n/a n/a 0 1020
2007 526 157 5 334 0 n/a n/a 11 1033
2008 506 140 6 314 2 n/a n/a 11 979
2009 440 127 6 359 1 n/a n/a 22 955
2010 417 132 7 388 2 n/a n/a 23 969
2011 438 135 5 407 2 1 17 0 1005
2012 423 127 10 421 1 0 15 0 997
2013 444 119 8 449 1 0 20 0 1041
2014 448 126 7 473 2 0 20 0 1076
2015 424 105 5 481 3 0 24 0 1042
2016 403 102 5 521 3 0 30 0 1064
2017 442 115 3 509 2 1 28 0 1100
2018 445 111 2 512 2 2 24 0 1098
2019 430 113 5 460 2 1 20 0 1031
2020 413 104 4 484 2 1 20 0 1028
2021 350 99 9 499 3 0 29 0 989
2022 336 120 10 543 4 0 22 0 1035
2023 371 142 10 611 3 1 31 0 1169

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 Desoto Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 847 47.0 18.0 47.5
1989 838 48.0 17.4 50.2
1990 828 47.0 17.6 47.7
1991 847 50.0 16.9 54.2
1992 934 49.0 19.0 47.1
1993 978 51.0 19.2 47.3
1994 967 54.0 17.9 50.8
1995 1019 53.0 19.2 52.8
1996 1019 53.0 19.2 52.8
1997 1036 57.0 18.2 53.7
1998 1045 58.0 18.0 50
1999 1042 56.0 18.6 59.2
2000 1057 54.0 19.6 9
2001 1067 58.0 18.4 61.4
2002 1097 63.0 17.4 65.5
2003 1097 63.0 17.4 65.5
2004 1052 61.0 17.2 66.1
2005 1048 63.0 16.6 66.5
2006 1020 59.0 17.3 62.4
2007 1033 60.0 17.2 65.2
2008 979 61.0 16.0 71.8
2009 955 66.9 15.9 75.6
2010 969 59.0 16.4 81.8
2011 1005 63.0 15.9 77.9
2012 997 65.0 15.3 80
2013 1041 60.0 17.3 81.4
2014 1076 63.0 17.0 74.6
2015 1042 58.0 17.9 58.7
2016 1064 56.0 19.0 65.3
2017 1100 57.0 19.2 64.5
2018 1098 58.0 18.9 7.4
2019 1031 51.0 20.2 62.3
2020 1028 47.0 21.8 62.6
2021 989 57.0 17.3 64.5
2022 1035 54.5 18.9 63.9
2023 1169 49.0 23.8 73.8

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 Desoto Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 847 47.0 18.0 47.5
1989 838 48.0 17.4 50.2
1990 828 47.0 17.6 47.7
1991 847 50.0 16.9 54.2
1992 934 49.0 19.0 47.1
1993 978 51.0 19.2 47.3
1994 967 54.0 17.9 50.8
1995 1019 53.0 19.2 52.8
1996 1019 53.0 19.2 52.8
1997 1036 57.0 18.2 53.7
1998 1045 58.0 18.0 50
1999 1042 56.0 18.6 59.2
2000 1057 54.0 19.6 9
2001 1067 58.0 18.4 61.4
2002 1097 63.0 17.4 65.5
2003 1097 63.0 17.4 65.5
2004 1052 61.0 17.2 66.1
2005 1048 63.0 16.6 66.5
2006 1020 59.0 17.3 62.4
2007 1033 60.0 17.2 65.2
2008 979 61.0 16.0 71.8
2009 955 66.9 15.9 75.6
2010 969 59.0 16.4 81.8
2011 1005 63.0 15.9 77.9
2012 997 65.0 15.3 80
2013 1041 60.0 17.3 81.4
2014 1076 63.0 17.0 74.6
2015 1042 58.0 17.9 58.7
2016 1064 56.0 19.0 65.3
2017 1100 57.0 19.2 64.5
2018 1098 58.0 18.9 7.4
2019 1031 51.0 20.2 62.3
2020 1028 47.0 21.8 62.6
2021 989 57.0 17.3 64.5
2022 1035 54.5 18.9 63.9
2023 1169 49.0 23.8 73.8

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 Desoto Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $775 (10.6%) $6,564 (89.4%) $7,339
2019 $931 (11.4%) $7,225 (88.6%) $8,155
2020 $1,066 (13.3%) $6,919 (86.6%) $7,986
2021 $1,471 (15.6%) $7,962 (84.4%) $9,433
2022 $2,311 (23.6%) $7,494 (76.4%) $9,805
2023 $3,631 (37.1%) $6,158 (62.9%) $9,790

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Desoto Middle 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 916th of 1099 Middle schoolsRanks 966th of 1177 Middle schools
 1.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto Middle School)3331
 2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto)3232
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5452
 2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Desoto Middle School)3732
 5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Desoto)3632
 4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5549
 6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto Middle School)2926
 3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto)2926
 3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5248
 4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Desoto Middle School)3416
 18%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Desoto)3316
 17%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5446
 8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto Middle School)4030
 10%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto)4028
 12%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5649
 7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Desoto Middle School)923
 14%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Desoto)822
 14%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)4642
 4%
8th Grade Science (Desoto Middle School)3023
 7%
   8th Grade Science (Desoto)2922
 7%
   8th Grade Science (Florida)4844
 4%
End of Course Civics (Desoto Middle School)4479
 35%
   End of Course Civics (Desoto)4371
 28%
   End of Course Civics (Florida)7166
 5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Desoto Middle School)8758
 29%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Desoto)4926
 23%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)6254
 8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students10311169
 13.4%
African American113142
 25.7%
American Indian23
 50%
Asian510
 100%
Hispanic460611
 32.8%
Pacific Islander11
White430371
 13.7%
Two or More Races2031
 55%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients62.3%73.8%
 11.6%

Schools Near Desoto Middle School








Frequently Asked Questions about Desoto Middle School

Students who attend Desoto Middle School usually go on to attend Desoto County High School

Students at Desoto Middle School are 52% Hispanic, 32% White, 12% African American, 3% Two or more races.

Desoto Middle School ranks in the bottom 19.1% of Florida middle schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,169 students attended Desoto Middle 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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