Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to DeSoto

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
C−
Schools in DeSoto · DeSoto Independent School District

DeSoto’s public schools score below 85% of Texas districts on tests and graduation

23% of students in DeSoto’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Texas average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving DeSoto, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Texas, not nationally.

#596of 642 Texas townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Texas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% 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.

Reading proficiency
39%
▼ 12 pts vs TX 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
23%
▼ 18 pts vs TX 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
88%
▼ 2 pts vs TX 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.3K
▲ 4% vs TX $12.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.7
TX 14.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
14
4,578 students on the public path
In brief

DeSoto’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 596 Texas towns with household incomes within a quarter of DeSoto’s, its schools beat 6%, lower than their 15% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% in math, against 51% and 41% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,331 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Five elementary schools, then one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 9 the district’s path is Desoto H S. Enrollment is down 20% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Uplift Gradus Prep PS, Premier H S - Desoto, Golden Rule Desoto, Iltexas Lancaster Desoto H S, Desoto Private School (private) and Cross of Christ Lutheran School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind DeSoto’s grade

D Test scoresD Graduation

C−: better than 15% of Texas school districts, #596 of 642 Texas towns. Both inputs trail the Texas average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Texas school districts we grade (1,191)Better than 15%
Lower resultsHigher results
Texas towns with similar household incomes (596)Better than 6%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 4,131 test results and a graduating class of 575 could put DeSoto anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of DeSoto’s students in the tested grades sat them (4,158 in math, 4,104 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve DeSoto, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–85 schoolsDepends on your addressD− to B+
9–12Desoto H SDeSoto Independent School DistrictC−

DeSoto’s public schools are run by DeSoto Independent School District, which also serves Glenn Heights. Parts of DeSoto (15% and 9% of its land) are served by Dallas Independent and Duncanville Independent instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

DeSoto Independent School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 5,708 students, down 20% since 2020–21 · 18.7 per teacher (TX 14.9)
$13,331TX $12,815 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading39%
State average 51.1% · 4104 students tested
Math23%
State average 40.9% · 4158 students tested

DeSoto vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Texas towns that share DeSoto’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DeSotoC−DeSoto Independent
DuncanvilleC−Duncanville Independent
DallasC−Dallas Independent
Glenn HeightsCDeSoto Independent PK–12 · Red Oak Independent PK–12
Cedar HillC−Cedar Hill Independent
LancasterCLancaster Independent

Every school in DeSoto

14 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Texas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in DeSotoby address
Amber Terrace Early Childhood Learning Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK · Desoto
402 students21:1Rate it →
Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy
Elementary · Grades K–8 · Desoto
B+
536 students19:1Rate it →
Cockrell Hill El
Elementary · Grades K–2 · Desoto
C−
397 students16:1Rate it →
Woodridge El
Elementary · Grades K–4 · Desoto
D
362 students16:1Rate it →
The Meadows El
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Desoto
D
312 students20:1Rate it →
Ruby Young Talented and Gifted Academy
Elementary · Grades K–8 · Desoto
D−
263 students20:1Rate it →
Desoto West Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Desoto
D
370 students21:1Rate it →
Desoto H S
High · Grades 9–12 · Desoto
C−
1,936 students18:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Uplift Gradus Prep PS
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Desoto
C−
Charter
597 students18:1Rate it →
Golden Rule Desoto
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Desoto
B−
Charter
402 students12:1Rate it →
Iltexas Lancaster Desoto H S
High · Grades 9–12 · Desoto
C−
Charter
191 students9:1Rate it →
Premier H S - Desoto
High · Grades 9–12 · Desoto
CharterAlternative Education
72 students18:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Desoto Private School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Desoto
Private · Nonsectarian
256 students25:1Rate it →
Cross of Christ Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–K · Desoto
Private · Religious
12 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Ki Charter - Desoto, Desoto Alternative Education Center (DAEP), Bright Scholar - Desoto and Texasworks - Desoto).

Questions about DeSoto’s schools

Are DeSoto’s schools good?

On Texas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools DeSoto children attend score below 85% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #596 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is DeSoto in?

DeSoto Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,708 students in 11 schools (2024–25). Small parts of DeSoto are served by Dallas Independent and Duncanville Independent.

Where do DeSoto kids go to high school?

Desoto H S in Desoto, with 1,936 students; its own test results earn a C−.

What is DeSoto’s graduation rate?

88% of the class of 2023 in DeSoto Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.

How much does DeSoto spend per student?

$13,331 in DeSoto Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in DeSoto?

Yes: Desoto Private School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 256 students) and Cross of Christ Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–K, 12 students). DeSoto also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What DeSoto families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near DeSoto → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, 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 Texas. Stars are from neighbors.