De Soto’s public schools score below 62% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the two public school districts serving De Soto, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.
From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
De Soto’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1354 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of De Soto’s, its schools beat 45%, higher than their 38% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
De Soto runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
DeSoto Elementary School (PK–8) is De Soto’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Carbondale Community High School District 165 with Carbondale, Carbondale, De Soto, Makanda, Makanda, Murphysboro and Pomona: Carbondale Comm H S in Carbondale. The high school’s own results earn a B+, the highest on the path. See the path ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 27% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Carbondale Community High School District 165 spends $22,399 per student and De Soto Consolidated School District 86 $18,958, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind De Soto’s grade
C+: better than 38% of Illinois school districts. Both inputs trail the Illinois average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve De Soto, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in De Soto
DeSoto Elementary School
Grades PK–8 · 198 students · 10:1 students per teacher
1st grade in De Soto
DeSoto Elementary School
Grades PK–8 · 198 students · 10:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in De Soto
DeSoto Elementary School
Grades PK–8 · 198 students · 10:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in De Soto
DeSoto Elementary School
Grades PK–8 · 198 students · 10:1 students per teacher
4th grade in De Soto
DeSoto Elementary School
Grades PK–8 · 198 students · 10:1 students per teacher
5th grade in De Soto
DeSoto Elementary School
Grades PK–8 · 198 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in De Soto
DeSoto Elementary School
Grades PK–8 · 198 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in De Soto
DeSoto Elementary School
Grades PK–8 · 198 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in De Soto
DeSoto Elementary School
Grades PK–8 · 198 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in De Soto
Carbondale Comm H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,023 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Carbondale
10th grade in De Soto
Carbondale Comm H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,023 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Carbondale
De Soto runs its own schools through grade 8 (De Soto Consolidated School District 86). From grade 9, students attend the Carbondale Community High School District 165, shared with Carbondale, Carbondale, De Soto, Makanda, Makanda, Murphysboro and Pomona. Its school is in De Soto. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve De Soto
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
De Soto vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share De Soto’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| De Soto | C+ | De Soto Consolidated School District 86 PK–8 · Carbondale Community High School District 165 9–12 |
Every school in De Soto
2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about De Soto’s schools
Are De Soto’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools De Soto children attend score below 62% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 45%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is De Soto in?
Two districts: De Soto Consolidated School District 86 runs grades PK–8, and Carbondale Community High School District 165 runs grades 9–12, shared with Carbondale, Carbondale, De Soto, Makanda, Makanda, Murphysboro and Pomona.
Where do De Soto kids go to high school?
Carbondale Comm H S in Carbondale, with 1,023 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is De Soto’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Carbondale Community High School District 165 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does De Soto spend per student?
$22,399 in Carbondale Community High School District 165 and $18,958 in De Soto Consolidated School District 86 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What De Soto families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near De Soto → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.