The DeSoto community is served by three public school districts, DeSoto School District 73, Sunrise R-IX, and Hillsboro R-III, as well as one parochial elementary school, St. Rose of Lima. DeSoto School District 73 has two elementary schools. Vineland Elementary School with an enrollment of 869 students is located on Vineland Road at the south end of town. Athena Elementary has an enrollment of 690 students and is located on Athena School Road six miles east of town. DeSoto Junior High has 514 students, and DeSoto High School has 930 students. They share a campus on Amvets Drive on the southwest side of town. DeSoto schools are known for their innovative educational programs. Several elementary classrooms are piloting the demanding Saxon Mathematics Program. Junior high students develop critical thinking skills and study classic literature as part of the Junior Great Books Program.

Technology is an important part of the learning process at all grade levels. Every district classroom has one or more computers with Internet access and there are at least two computer labs in each building. The Desoto High School curriculum provides a comprehensive selection of required and elective courses to prepare students for college, vocational school, or a career in the business world. The A+ Program gives every DeSoto student the opportunity to attend college. Extracurricular activities are an important part of the educational process in DeSoto Schools. The high school band and vocal music groups successfully compete in area contests. The high school yearbook has been a consistent national award winner. Both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are among the most successful programs in the state. The cross-country, volleyball, and wrestling teams compete for conference and district championships every year. The district is working to expand its services to the community. The Little Dragons Preschool, located across from the district’s Central Offices on Third Street, offers a superior educational opportunity for pre-kindergarten students. The district provides a number of programs for students at risk of dropping out, and for families in crises. A new alternative educational program at the high school meets the needs of students who have difficulty in the traditional school setting. School facilities are also used for adult education, community functions, and recreational activities, making it an important asset not only to its students, but the entire community.

This is also true of St. Rose of Lima, a Catholic elementary school located at Miller and Fourth Streets. St. Rose was established in 1891 and has continued to provide a quality education to students for over 100 years. St. Rose offers a complete curriculum permeated by Gospel values and the Catholic faith. Non-Catholics who wish to share St. Rose’s vision are also welcome. St. Rose’s enrollment is currently near 200 students from pre-school going through 8th grade. St. Rose offers a strong basic curriculum, computer classes, spiritual and moral education, small class sizes, art, music, physical education, band, volleyball, soccer, basketball and cheerleading. St. Rose also offers before and after-school care. St. Rose is fully accredited by the National Federation of Non-Public School Accrediting Agency and operates under the supervision of the St. Louis Archdiocesan School System.

Following 8th grade, many of St. Rose’s students and also students from the DeSoto Public School System, turn to nearby St. Pius X High School. Founded in 1959, St. Pius X High School is a co-educational, four-year comprehensive secondary school which is fully accredited by the North Central Association and the State of Missouri. In its fifth decade, St. Pius serves 450 students with 85-90% of the graduating seniors going on to higher education. St. Pius serves both Catholic and non-Catholic students with available bus service. Juniors and Seniors can earn college credit through courses coordinated with St. Louis University or the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

There are several private Christian Schools, such as Christian Outreach Academy, Good Shepherd School, and others located within easy driving distance of DeSoto.

Students from all of these schools often begin their college career at Jefferson College, located just 15 minutes away from DeSoto. Each year approximately 5,000 students take college credit classes and an additional 4,000 enroll in continuing education courses. That brings the total to over 100,000 Jefferson County residents who have taken courses at the college since it was founded by a vote of the people in 1963. It’s a very impressive figure that represents a huge positive impact on county residents. Through Jefferson College programs, literally hundreds of public service workers have been prepared for their jobs.

Nurses and medical aides staff the hospitals, clinics and nursing homes in the area. Ambulance attendants, paramedics, police officers, firefighters and many more workers have obtained both training and jobs in Jefferson County. To provide optimum access, Jefferson College also offers several unique "2+2" programs through Missouri Baptist College, Southeast Missouri State University, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Franklin University, which allow students to obtain their baccalaureate degree without leaving the county.

Jefferson College was also the first in the state to offer the Apprenticeship Training Degree program where union workers can earn college credit for their on-the-job experience. As the 21st century begins, Jefferson College is dedicated to providing the best that is available in educational, intellectual and cultural resources. The college will continue to cooperate with local school districts, government agencies, businesses, and industry to provide a well-educated, highly skilled citizenry.

Another college located less than a half hour away is Mineral Area College. Located in Park Hills, Mineral Area College has 3,600 students in credit classes plus 1,800 students in adult and work force development training classes. Founded in 1922, Mineral Area College is the fourth oldest junior college in the state and is located on 300 acres of rolling hills, with limestone outcrops and mature trees. There are over 10 buildings, and on-campus student housing is available. Mineral Area College works in conjunction Central Methodist College, University of Missouri Columbia, Rolla, and St. Louis, so that students can finish their four-year degree without ever leaving campus. Mineral Area has an enrollment of students from 10 states, with the bulk of its students coming from the surrounding counties.

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