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Desoto East Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 610 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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12 reviews of this school


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Posted October 18, 2009

This school is on the cutting edge of instruction and curriculum. The administrators are very thorough, organizes, personable, and effective. The students are awesome! The school is very structured and energetic...focused on exemplary rating.


Posted October 11, 2009

i think it is a great school with nice teachers and most nice students.i love going to school everday now.
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 25, 2009

After the history of this school I was a little concerned about sending my child here for the 6th grade. I was very surprised. The school is well maintained and students aren't like wild animals in the halls. My son likes his teachers especially Ms. Lewis, Coach Favors and Ms. Hudson. I am happy to say my son passed his Math and Reading test for the first time since 3rd grade. I thank the teachers for their support.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 29, 2009

Thanks so much for the great communication. The website the Marquee is great. Thanks for the extra help that you are provding for the TAKS test. Thanks for keeping parents informed, it helps my child academically too. What a great School, I'm glad my child attends the New Desoto East Middle School. I just wanted to let you know.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 29, 2009

This school is horrible! Ms.Nevels worries about the wrong things. Instead of worrying about our test scores she worries about our dresscode. We are very unorganzied. They pick at the littlest things.The teachers don't teach anything at all.
—Submitted by a student


Posted July 29, 2008

East is a wonderful school and I am proud to have worked with the administrators and staff. As teachers we work each day to make sure our students learn what they need to succeed in school and in life. We are raising tomorrows lawyers, doctors, teachers, scientists, etc. I saw many role models which is what the students at East need. To have a very positive and strong principal like Mrs. Freeling was like sprinkles on top of the cake. She motivated us each day and she was very easy to talk to, that is what we want in a leader. East has gone through some changes and have lost some really good teachers but have also gained some better ones. I am proud to say that I will always consider East my home. Room 202 (2007-2008)
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted January 4, 2008

The school atmosphere is very thick. I used to enter the school and the teachers looked happy, now they all look dull. It is as if they are just there. The principal seems to be really worried with how things look; this is really upsetting.


Posted November 1, 2007

Great school. The students are working hard and the staff cares about the students.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted December 20, 2006

East is improving with the princpal Ms.Donna S. Freeling But she as well seems too concered with behavior issues and sports.
—Submitted by A J, a student


Posted July 29, 2006

east has not gotten the reputation it deserves it has made recognizable strides in many areas academically as well as extra-curicular. the principal is one the districts best at motivating kids as well as teachers. the school has had the teacher of the year in science and math 2 years in a row with one of the best math instructors in the districts. comments negative to the school don't help change the way things are stacked against the school. the school manages more of the lower SES students than its counter part and has the least to work with in terms of support. parent involvement has to step up to change this. my kids attend and east proudly and they have been served well. parents sometimes want to be a smaller part of the process but want to complain the most. its getting better, bring your kids you'll see
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted February 24, 2006

I am very unhappy with this school. As for sports, the school holds this in high regards and only the best of the best will be able to play. Side note, be sure you are informed of all dates or you and your child will lose. I strongly urge parents to stay out of desoto isd schools if you are concerned about academics and your childs future.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 20, 2005

East Junior High was poorly managed from the principal to the teachers. Not all of the teachers was bad, but most was only interested in policing the school instead of teaching. The principal was terrible. She spent her time trying to find bad things on the students instead of motivating them to become good scholars. She was not fair with her methods of punishment. She had different rules for some students than others and admitted to this. The one bright things is that the school district have a new superintendant and he seems to want to put the students first.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 83% in 2011.

186 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
69%

2008

 
 
57%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 84% in 2011.

187 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
91%

2008

 
 
82%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

The state average for Math was 81% in 2011.

205 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
74%

2009

 
 
70%

2008

 
 
45%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 86% in 2011.

205 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
80%

2008

 
 
81%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 94% in 2011.

203 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
95%

2008

 
 
86%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

The state average for Math was 73% in 2011.

206 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
74%

2008

 
 
69%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

210 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
91%
Science

The state average for Science was 79% in 2011.

203 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
67%

2009

 
 
62%

2008

 
 
55%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 95% in 2011.

203 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
87%

2008

 
 
90%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students83%
Female86%
Male81%
Black or African American82%
Asiann/a
Hispanic84%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged84%
Not economically disadvantaged83%
Special education36%
Not special education86%
Limited English proficient (LEP)88%
Proficient in English83%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant83%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students88%
Female87%
Male88%
Black or African American87%
Asiann/a
Hispanic87%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged87%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Special education38%
Not special education91%
Limited English proficient (LEP)75%
Proficient in English89%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant88%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students67%
Female70%
Male65%
Black or African American65%
Asiann/a
Hispanic82%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged66%
Not economically disadvantaged70%
Special education50%
Not special education68%
Limited English proficient (LEP)63%
Proficient in English67%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant67%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students80%
Female87%
Male75%
Black or African American80%
Asiann/a
Hispanic82%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged80%
Not economically disadvantaged82%
Special education55%
Not special education82%
Limited English proficient (LEP)63%
Proficient in English81%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant80%
Gifted/talented100%

Writing

All Students94%
Female98%
Male90%
Black or African American95%
Asiann/a
Hispanic89%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged94%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Special education64%
Not special education96%
Limited English proficient (LEP)63%
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant94%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students78%
Female81%
Male74%
Black or African American78%
Asiann/a
Hispanic79%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White86%
Economically disadvantaged78%
Not economically disadvantaged79%
Special education31%
Not special education81%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English78%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant78%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students94%
Female96%
Male93%
Black or African American95%
Asiann/a
Hispanic91%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White88%
Economically disadvantaged94%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Special education65%
Not special education97%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English94%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant94%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students70%
Female69%
Male72%
Black or African American67%
Asiann/a
Hispanic84%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White86%
Economically disadvantaged68%
Not economically disadvantaged76%
Special education31%
Not special education73%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English70%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant70%
Gifted/talented100%

Social Studies

All Students99%
Female98%
Male99%
Black or African American98%
Asiann/a
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged99%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special education86%
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant99%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

  • In 2010-2011, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".

About the tests


Texas uses Accountability Ratings to indicate the overall performance of each school and district. The ratings are based on TAKS test results, dropout rates for grades 7 and 8 and school completion rates for grades 9 through 12. Schools and districts rated under standard accountability procedures are designated as Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable or Academically Unacceptable. Schools and districts rated under alternative education accountability (AEA) procedures are designated as either AEA: Academically Acceptable or AEA: Academically Unacceptable.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 81% 14%
Hispanic 14% 48%
White 4% 34%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 12%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 6%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 2%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 50%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 12N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 42%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 36%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 6%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 9%N/A23%
21 or more years 7%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

601 W Belt Line Rd
De Soto, TX 75115
Website: Click here
Phone: (972) 223-0690

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