GreatSchools: The Parents' Guide to K-12 Success
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Desoto

GreatSchools Rating: 4 out of 10. GreatSchools Ratings are based on test results. 10 is best.
This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

Learn About This District's:

530 Lasolona Ave
Arcadia, FL 34266
DeSoto County
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PH: (863) 494-4222
FAX: (866) 370-2471

District Web site >

  • Grades PK-12 & ungraded
  • 4998 students
  • 13 schools

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 FCAT Results

 
Scale: % scoring at or above grade level

Grade 3

Reading
 72% (2008)
 65% (2007)
 67% (2006)
 52% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 72% in 2008.

Math
 76% (2008)
 76% (2007)
 62% (2006)
 57% (2005)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 4

Reading
 68% (2008)
 60% (2007)
 57% (2006)
 71% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2008.

Math
 73% (2008)
 61% (2007)
 54% (2006)
 62% (2005)
The state average for Math was 71% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 5

Reading
 60% (2008)
 61% (2007)
 60% (2006)
 60% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2008.

Science
 34% (2008)
 23% (2007)
 23% (2006)
The state average for Science was 43% in 2008.

Math
 58% (2008)
 42% (2007)
 52% (2006)
 47% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 6

Reading
 55% (2008)
 55% (2007)
 52% (2006)
 50% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 63% in 2008.

Math
 41% (2008)
 51% (2007)
 53% (2006)
 48% (2005)
The state average for Math was 53% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 7

Reading
 57% (2008)
 50% (2007)
 53% (2006)
 48% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 65% in 2008.

Math
 59% (2008)
 53% (2007)
 52% (2006)
 45% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 8

Reading
 40% (2008)
 39% (2007)
 31% (2006)
 31% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 53% in 2008.

Science
 25% (2008)
 25% (2007)
 21% (2006)
The state average for Science was 40% in 2008.

Math
 51% (2008)
 53% (2007)
 42% (2006)
 50% (2005)
The state average for Math was 67% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 9

Reading
 31% (2008)
 27% (2007)
 30% (2006)
 24% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 46% in 2008.

Math
 56% (2008)
 46% (2007)
 49% (2006)
 47% (2005)
The state average for Math was 65% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 10

Reading
 24% (2008)
 19% (2007)
 22% (2006)
 22% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 38% in 2008.

Math
 56% (2008)
 53% (2007)
 56% (2006)
 59% (2005)
The state average for Math was 69% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 11

Science
 21% (2008)
 24% (2007)
 26% (2006)
The state average for Science was 38% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the Tests

  • In 2007-2008 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading and math; in grades 4, 8 and 10 in writing; and in grades 5, 8 and 11 in science.
  • The FCAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida.
  • The FCAT has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest.
  • Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

See Florida's state standards

Compare all schools in this district

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 FCAT Writing+ Results

 
Scale: % scoring at or above level 3.5

Grade 4

Writing+
 79% (2008)
 69% (2007)
The state average for Writing+ was 77% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 8

Writing+
 82% (2008)
 90% (2007)
The state average for Writing+ was 88% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 10

Writing+
 59% (2008)
 59% (2007)
The state average for Writing+ was 78% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the Tests

  • In 2007-2008 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Writing+ to test students in grades 4, 8 and 10.
  • The Writing+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills needed to progress through school.
  • The FCAT Writing+ exam contains both multiple choice questions and an essay. The scores on GreatSchools profiles reflect student performance on the essay portion only.
  • The essay is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. The state considers a score of 3.5 and above to meet state standards.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

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 FCAT NRT Results

 
Scale: National Percentile Rank (50 is the national average)


Grade 3
Reading Math

38
 50
 56
 56

51
 59
 67
 60
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 4
Reading Math

52
 62
 55
 64

60
 63
 73
 69
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 5
Reading Math

50
 63
 66
 67

55
 68
 66
 75
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 6
Reading Math

48
 57
 58
 53

61
 65
 64
 65
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 7
Reading Math

44
 58
 54
 62

56
 66
 68
 71
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 8
Reading Math

51
 51
 55
 50

54
 59
 68
 61
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 9
Reading Math

51
 52
 51
 58

60
 67
 61
 66
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 10
Reading Math

51
 59
 42
 58

48
 59
 51
 49
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the Tests

  • In 2007-2008 Florida used a norm-referenced test (NRT) section on the FCAT to assess students in grades 3 through 10 in reading and math.
  • The FCAT NRT measures how well students in Florida scored in comparison to their peers across the country.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above the national average on the test.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

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 Teachers

 
Teacher Credentials
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Classes taught by out-of-field teachers14%9%
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Teacher Experience
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Average years teaching1212
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Teacher Education Levels
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Teachers with advanced degrees20%34%
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Student-Teacher Ratio
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
 This DistrictState Average
Students per teacher1615
How Important is Class Size? >
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 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
White49%46%
Hispanic33%25%
Black15%23%
Multiracial2%4%
Asian/Pacific Islander<1%2%
American Indian/Alaskan Native<1%<1%
How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >
Student Subgroups
Information about this data
Source: 1FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
2FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program166%46%
Students with disabilities (elementary)215%15%
Students with disabilities (middle)212%14%
Students with disabilities (high school)216%13%
Gifted students (elementary)21%4%
Gifted students (middle)23%7%
Gifted students (high school)24%5%
English language learners (elementary)218%11%
English language learners (middle)23%6%
English language learners (high school)23%5%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
Attendance and Completion
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Students absent more than 21 days (elementary)12%7%
Students absent more than 21 days (middle)3%10%
Students absent more than 21 days (high school)20%15%
Stability rate (elementary)95%94%
Stability rate (middle)94%94%
Stability rate (high school)92%92%
School Attendance: Issues to Consider >
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 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$8,759$7,861
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional54%57%
Student and staff support12%11%
Administration10%10%
Other expenditures24%21%
Source: NCES, 2005-2006
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
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