DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL

Located at 420 E GIBSON ST, in ARCADIA, Florida, DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL is a medium-sized 6-8 campus that caters to 922 students (grades 6 through 8), run under DESOTO.

DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL is one of 9 schools operated by DESOTO, a district that hosts 4,171 students overall.

In terms of who attends, DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL lists that Hispanic students make up the majority at 55%; the rest is composed of 27% White, 13% Black, 3% multiracial. The wider county runs roughly 30% Hispanic, putting the school's mix noticeably more Hispanic than the area baseline.

On the resource side, The school employs 56 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 16.5:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 19.6:1, putting DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL tighter than the state norm the norm. An estimated 57% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

After controlling for student poverty, DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 52.4%; this one delivers 39.3%.

Around the school, ACS estimates for DeSoto County put median household income runs about $54,417, about 11% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 19%. Across DeSoto County's 11 public schools (combined enrollment of about 4,171 students), DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL is one campus in the mix.

DESOTO VIRTUAL ACADEMY is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.2 miles from this campus. Within five miles, there are 7 other public schools. Among the 5 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL ranks 5th on composite proficiency, below the local average of 43.5%.

DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL operates from a small-town location.

Looking at the recent track record. DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL's enrollment has contracted 16% since 2018, when it stood at 1,098 (now 922). Over the same period, the White share contracted from 41% to 27%. Class-load math has narrowed: from 18.9:1 in 2018 to 16.5:1 in 2025.

On this page, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.