Public schools in Desoto, TX
13 open public schools with an address in Desoto, operated by 6 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
13
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
5,607
13 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
18.2:1
Texas median 14.5:1
Charter schools
5
0 virtual
An overview of Desoto public schools
The federal directory lists 13 public schools in Desoto, TX: 6 elementary, 1 middle, 4 high, 2 combined or other. The 13 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 5,607 students, an average of 431 per school. The largest campus is Desoto H S (1,936 students), and the largest elementary school is Uplift Gradus Prep PS (597).
Desoto ISD operates the most schools here (8), plus 5 charter, service, or other agencies. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 18.2:1, higher than the statewide school median of 14.5:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 5 charter schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 3 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 2 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 1 of 3 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 68% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Desoto
Desoto ISD
Public school district
8 schools in Desoto · 11 total
Golden Rule Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Desoto · 5 total
International Leadership of Texas (Iltexas)
Independent charter agency
1 school in Desoto · 44 total
Premier High Schools
Independent charter agency
1 school in Desoto · 50 total
Texas Works
Independent charter agency
1 school in Desoto · 42 total
Uplift Education
Independent charter agency
1 school in Desoto · 45 total
Elementary schools in Desoto
6| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cockrell Hill El Desoto ISD | KG–02 | 397 | 15.9:1 | |
| Golden Rule Desoto Golden Rule Charter School · Charter | PK–08 | 402 | 11.8:1 | |
| Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy Desoto ISD | KG–08 | 536 | 18.8:1 | |
| The Meadows El Desoto ISD | KG–05 | 312 | 20.4:1 | |
| Uplift Gradus Prep PS Uplift Education · Charter | PK–05 | 597 | 18.4:1 | |
| Woodridge Fine Arts and Gifted Academy Desoto ISD | KG–05 | 362 | 15.7:1 |
Middle schools in Desoto
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desoto West Middle Desoto ISD | 06–08 | 370 | 21.4:1 |
High schools in Desoto
4| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desoto H S Desoto ISD | 09–12 | 1,936 | 18.4:1 | |
| Iltexas Lancaster Desoto H S International Leadership of Texas (Iltexas) · Charter | 09–12 | 191 | 8.9:1 | |
| Premier H S - Desoto Premier High Schools · Charter · Alternative School | 09–12 | 72 | 18:1 | |
| Texasworks - Desoto Texas Works · Charter · Alternative School | 09–12 | 11 | 5.5:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Desoto
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amber Terrace Early Childhood Learning Center Desoto ISD | PK–PK | 402 | 21.2:1 | |
| Desoto Alternative Education Center (DAEP) Desoto ISD · Alternative School | 03–12 | 19 | — |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White1.7%
- Hispanic27.8%
- Black66.5%
- Asian0.4%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial3.2%
Enrollment-weighted across 13 Desoto schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (5,607 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Desoto
How many public schools are in Desoto, TX?
The current NCES directory lists 13 open public schools with a location address in Desoto: 6 elementary, 1 middle, 4 high, 2 combined or other. Together they reported 5,607 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Desoto?
Schools with an address in Desoto belong to 6 education agencies, led by Desoto ISD (8 schools), Golden Rule Charter School (1 school), International Leadership of Texas (Iltexas) (1 school). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in Desoto?
Desoto H S reported the largest high-school enrollment in Desoto, with 1,936 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Desoto?
Yes. 5 of the 13 public schools in Desoto are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Golden Rule Desoto, Iltexas Lancaster Desoto H S, Premier H S - Desoto. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Desoto schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Desoto public schools is 18.2:1, higher than the Texas school median of 14.5:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Desoto guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Texas cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Texas cities