Desoto High School Health Science Academy
1710 East Gibson Street, Arcadia, FL 34266 · (863) 494-3434
Data: Florida Board of Nursing approved list (August 2026); Florida Board of Nursing, CNA first-time pass rate by program, 1/1/2025-12/31/2025
- First-time pass rate
- 82.35%17 testers · 2025
- Vs statewide
- −6.7points vs 89.08%
- Florida rank
- #110of 130 programs
How Desoto High School Health Science Academy graduates do on the CNA exam
82.35% of 17 first-time test-takers from Desoto High School Health Science Academy passed the CNA exam (skills and written) in 2025. That is 6.7 points below Florida's statewide rate of 89.08%. It puts the program #110 of 130 Florida programs with 10 or more testers.
In 2024 only 1 first-time tester sat the exam (100% passed), too few to compare with 2025.
With 17 testers, one more or one fewer passing student moves the rate by about 5.9 points, so treat small differences with care. The figure combines the skills test and the written exam.
How Desoto High School Health Science Academy stacks up
- Half of the 130 ranked Florida programs had a first-time pass rate of at least 92.1% in 2025. At 82.35%, Desoto High School Health Science Academy is in the bottom quarter.
- 79 of the 130 reached 90% or higher.
- It had 17 first-time testers; the middle ranked program had 27, so this is one of the smaller programs. Larger groups give a steadier rate.
- No other Florida program within 25 miles has a published first-time rate from 10 or more testers.
Ranked programs are those with 10 or more first-time testers in the Florida Board of Nursing, CNA first-time pass rate by program, 1/1/2025-12/31/2025. Distances are straight-line between ZIP code centres.
Program details
| Approval | Florida Board of Nursing, program 1298 |
| Status | Approved (list dated August 2026) |
| Address | 1710 East Gibson Street, Arcadia, FL 34266 DeSoto County |
| Phone | (863) 494-3434 |
| CNA median pay, Florida | $37,510 a year ($18.03/hour, BLS) |
Call the program to confirm the next start date, schedule and total cost; the state lists don't publish prices.
Other approved CNA programs near Arcadia
| Program | City | Distance | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desoto County Nursing Program | Arcadia | same ZIP | — |
| Hardee Senior High School Cte Health Science Program | Wauchula | 26 mi | 87.5% |
| Charlotte Technical College Nursing Assistant Program | Port Charlotte | 26 mi | 91.3% |
| Horizon Healthcare Institute, Inc - Nursing Assistant Training | Port Charlotte | 29 mi | — |
| Fort Myers Technical College | Fort Myers | 39 mi | 90.0% |
| Institute Of Health Careers | Lehigh Acres | 39 mi | 95.7% |
Distances are straight-line between ZIP code centres. "—" means fewer than 10 testers or no published rate.
FAQ
What is Desoto High School Health Science Academy's CNA exam pass rate?
82.35% of 17 first-time test-takers from Desoto High School Health Science Academy passed the CNA exam (skills and written) in 2025. That is 6.7 points below Florida's statewide rate of 89.08%, and #110 of 130 Florida programs with 10 or more testers.
Is Desoto High School Health Science Academy a state-approved CNA program?
Yes. It is on the official list of approved nurse aide training programs (Florida Board of Nursing, August 2026) as program 1298. Finishing an approved program makes you eligible for the Florida CNA exam.
How many hours of training does Florida require?
120 hours: at least 80 classroom and 40 clinical (20 or more in a nursing home), with 16 hours before any resident contact (Fla. Admin. Code 64B9-15.006). The exam is run by Prometric.
How does Desoto High School Health Science Academy compare with CNA programs nearby?
No other Florida program within 25 miles has a published first-time rate from 10 or more testers.
What other approved CNA programs are near Arcadia?
The closest are Desoto County Nursing Program in Arcadia (about 1 mi), Hardee Senior High School Cte Health Science Program in Wauchula (about 26 mi, 88% pass rate), Charlotte Technical College Nursing Assistant Program in Port Charlotte (about 26 mi, 91% pass rate). Distances are between ZIP code centres.