High Schools in Desoto

There is one high school, Desoto County High School, serving grades 9 through 12 in the Arcadia area, which is part of the Desoto district—a district ranked near the bottom of the state at 68th out of 70 districts.

Desoto County High School has an enrollment of 1,215 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. The most pressing concern is its chronic absenteeism rate of 39.7%, which is significantly higher than the state average of 31.4% and likely contributes to its low academic performance. The school’s graduation rate is 79.2%, well below the state average of 92.2%, and its state ranking has declined to 661st out of 838 schools (21st percentile). Test scores are consistently below state averages, with Algebra 1 proficiency at 24% (state: 63%), Geometry at 33% (state: 56%), and 10th Grade ELA at 41% (state: 61%). However, Biology 1 is a relative strength, with a 55% proficiency rate that, while still below the state average of 74%, outperforms the school’s other subjects and suggests a potential area of instructional success.

Despite spending $11,741 per student, the school’s outcomes indicate that funding is not translating into strong results, pointing to a need for targeted interventions, particularly around absenteeism and foundational math and reading skills. While the school struggles compared to state averages, it is a relative bright spot within the Desoto district, which ranks in the 3rd percentile statewide. This suggests that the district’s elementary and middle schools may face even greater challenges, making Desoto County High School a key focus for improvement efforts in the area.