Total enrollment
4,155
-683 (-14%) vs SY 2017-18
DeSoto County
Florida · Public K-12
Public schools in DeSoto County, Florida total 11, with combined enrollment of about 4,171 students against a county population of 35,386. That breaks down as 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high.
7-year change in DeSoto County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
-2 (-22%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
29%
was 39%
% Hispanic
54%
was 46%
% Black
13%
was 12%
% Asian
1%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
11
1 districts
Enrollment
4,171
NCES CCD
Median income
$54,417
Below Florida avg
Free/reduced lunch
59.6%
Above Florida avg
Elementary
4
1,958 students
Middle
1
922 students
High
1
1,215 students
Combined / other
5
76 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
DESOTO
4,171 students · 1 district in DeSoto County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of DeSoto County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
10.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
19.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
9.5%
civilian labor
Median age
44
17.9% under 18
Test scores in DeSoto County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Florida state average: 57.1%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 44.9%
- DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL· 41.3%
- DESOTO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL· 40.8%
- NOCATEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 38.9%
- MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 37.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DESOTO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL | Arcadia | High | 09-12 | 1,215 | · |
| DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL | Arcadia | Middle | 06-08 | 922 | · |
| MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Arcadia | Elementary | PK-05 | 861 | · |
| WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Arcadia | Elementary | PK-05 | 622 | · |
| NOCATEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Nocatee | Elementary | PK-05 | 475 | · |
| DESOTO SECONDARY SCHOOL | Arcadia | Combined | KG-12 | 51 | · |
| DESOTO VIRTUAL FRANCHISE | Arcadia | Combined | KG-12 | 10 | · |
| REDUCED SERVICES | Arcadia | Combined | KG-12 | 9 | · |
| DESOTO VIRTUAL ACADEMY | Arcadia | Combined | KG-12 | 6 | · |
| TEEN PARENT PK CHILD CARE PROGRAM | Arcadia | Elementary | PK-PK | 0 | · |
| HOSPITAL AND HOMEBOUND | Arcadia | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in DeSoto County
About DeSoto County
DeSoto County is a low-population county of about 35,386 residents in Florida. Its public-school system instructs approximately 4,171 students across 11 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $54,417, roughly 11% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 19% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 20% below the Florida median.
Looking at the level breakdown, DeSoto County is made up of 4 elementary schools (1,958 students), 1 middle school (922), 1 high school (1,215), and 5 combined or other schools.
DESOTO is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 4,171 students across DeSoto County.
Five-year track record. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment shrank 14%: 4,838 students in SY 2017-18 versus 4,155 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, DeSoto County lost 2 schools, going from 9 to 7. The White share of public-school enrollment declined from 39% to 29%.
In the discussion threads here, the community for DeSoto County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DeSoto County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data