Desoto Secondary School

Summary:

Desoto Secondary School is an alternative public school in Arcadia, Florida, serving grades K-12 with a total enrollment of 69 students. The school is part of the Desoto school district, which is ranked 67th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Desoto Secondary School faces significant challenges, including a diverse student population with 46.38% Hispanic, 28.99% White, and 23.19% African American students, as well as alarmingly low graduation rates, reaching only 25% in 2021-2022, compared to the state average of 86.9%. The school also struggles with an extremely high chronic absenteeism rate of 84.2%, much higher than the nearby Desoto Virtual Academy, which had a rate of 34.8%. Academically, Desoto Secondary School's performance is significantly below state and district averages, with only 12% of 9th-grade students proficient or better in FAST/English Language Arts and 10% of 7th-grade students proficient or better in FAST/Math.

Interestingly, Desoto Secondary School's performance is notably worse than the nearby Reduced Services and Desoto Virtual Academy schools, which are also part of the Desoto school district. The virtual academy has higher graduation rates, lower chronic absenteeism, and better academic performance, while Reduced Services has a smaller student population and higher per-student spending. Despite increased funding over the years, Desoto Secondary School's challenges persist, suggesting the need for a re-evaluation of resource allocation and implementation strategies to better address the unique needs of its high-need student population.


Detail:

Public, Alternative K-12

 318 N Wilson Ave
       Arcadia, FL  34266


(863) 494-9303

District: Desoto

SchoolDigger Rank:
1114th of 1,196 Florida Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,419 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  34.5 Help
Number of students:  69

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
46.4%
White:
29.0%
African American:
23.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  82.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Desoto Secondary School ranks worse than 93.1% of middle schools in Florida. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 9.11. (See more...)
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Compare Details Desoto Secondary School ranks worse than 83.8% of high schools in Florida. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 9.2. (See more...)
Help
The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Desoto Secondary School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
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 Desoto Secondary School has the largest alternative school student body size in the Desoto School District. Student population at Desoto Secondary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (46.4%), White (29%), African American (23.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 82.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Desoto School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Desoto Secondary School is 34.5, which is the 2nd best among 1 alternative schools in the Desoto School District. (See more...)
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Compare Desoto Secondary School employs 2 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Desoto Secondary School is $13,419, which is the highest among 4 alternative schools in the Desoto School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Desoto Secondary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Desoto Secondary School 1114th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Desoto Secondary School in the ranking list.)
SchoolDigger ranks Desoto Secondary School 676th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Desoto Secondary School in the ranking list.)

Desoto:

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


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Rank History for Desoto Secondary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 3.18 1077th 1099 2.0%
2021 4.90 1115th 1136 1.8%
2022 5.88 1100th 1148 4.2%
2023 5.96 1113th 1177 5.4%
2024 9.11 1114th 1196 6.9%
See the entire list of Florida Alternative School Rankings!

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

Rank History for Desoto Secondary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 5.58 628th 716 12.3%
2019 4.87 654th 734 10.9%
2022 1.59 767th 774 0.9%
2024 9.20 676th 807 16.2%
See the entire list of Florida Alternative School Rankings!

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

Desoto Secondary 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 Desoto Secondary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2008 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 0
2009 21 17 0 12 0 n/a n/a 0 50
2010 20 11 1 17 0 n/a n/a 2 51
2011 10 8 0 2 0 0 1 0 21
2012 5 3 0 9 0 0 0 0 17
2013 9 7 0 6 0 0 0 0 22
2014 7 2 0 13 0 0 3 0 25
2015 8 6 0 13 0 1 1 0 29
2016 15 6 0 18 0 0 5 0 44
2017 20 12 0 24 0 0 2 0 58
2018 24 13 0 18 0 0 3 0 58
2019 28 15 0 11 0 0 2 0 56
2020 62 16 0 38 0 0 3 0 119
2021 42 8 0 20 1 0 2 0 73
2022 25 13 0 30 0 0 2 0 70
2023 20 16 0 32 0 0 1 0 69

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 Secondary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2008 0 0.0 0.0 n/a
2009 50 n/a n/a 42
2010 51 2.0 25.5 46.9
2011 21 1.0 21.0 57.1
2012 17 2.0 8.5 35.3
2013 22 2.0 11.0 77.3
2014 25 2.0 12.5 76
2015 29 3.0 9.6 72.4
2016 44 3.0 14.6 79.5
2017 58 1.0 58.0 65.5
2018 58 2.0 29.0 5.2
2019 56 2.0 28.0 75
2020 119 2.5 47.6 63.9
2021 73 3.0 24.3 69.9
2022 70 1.0 70.0 84.3
2023 69 2.0 34.5 82.6

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 Desoto Secondary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2008 0 0.0 0.0 n/a
2009 50 n/a n/a 42
2010 51 2.0 25.5 46.9
2011 21 1.0 21.0 57.1
2012 17 2.0 8.5 35.3
2013 22 2.0 11.0 77.3
2014 25 2.0 12.5 76
2015 29 3.0 9.6 72.4
2016 44 3.0 14.6 79.5
2017 58 1.0 58.0 65.5
2018 58 2.0 29.0 5.2
2019 56 2.0 28.0 75
2020 119 2.5 47.6 63.9
2021 73 3.0 24.3 69.9
2022 70 1.0 70.0 84.3
2023 69 2.0 34.5 82.6

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 Desoto Secondary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $1,010 (17.7%) $4,696 (82.3%) $5,706
2019 $1,030 (14.6%) $6,011 (85.4%) $7,042
2020 $994 (14.2%) $6,018 (85.8%) $7,012
2021 $1,667 (18.2%) $7,505 (81.8%) $9,172
2022 $1,040 (11.6%) $7,892 (88.3%) $8,934
2023 $2,690 (20.0%) $10,730 (80.0%) $13,419

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Desoto Secondary 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 1077th of 1099 Middle schoolsRanks 1113th of 1177 Middle schools
 3.4%
Ranks 654th of 734 High schoolsRanks 767th of 774 High schools
 10%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade Mathematics (Desoto Secondary School)1817
 1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Desoto)3316
 17%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5446
 8%
8th Grade Science (Desoto Secondary School)010
 10%
   8th Grade Science (Desoto)2922
 7%
   8th Grade Science (Florida)4844
 4%
End of Course Civics (Desoto Secondary School)910
 1%
   End of Course Civics (Desoto)4346
 3%
   End of Course Civics (Florida)7169
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students5669
 23.2%
African American1516
 6.7%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic1132
 190.9%
Pacific Islander00
White2820
 28.6%
Two or More Races21
 50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients75%82.6%
 7.6%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Desoto Secondary School

Desoto Secondary School ranks in the bottom 6.9% of Florida alternative schools.

Students at Desoto Secondary School are 46% Hispanic, 29% White, 23% African American, 1% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 69 students attended Desoto Secondary 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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