DeSoto County Schools & Education
DeSoto County, Mississippi
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
34/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
92.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
92.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,017
National avg $13,239
State avg $5,954
School Score
34/100
Higher = better
State avg 27/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#22
of 81 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: DeSoto County
School Verdict
Despite a lower school score of 34/100, DeSoto County maintains a strong graduation rate of 92.0%, suggesting effective student support systems.
Funding Context
At $5,017 per pupil, DeSoto County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for DeSoto County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 27% above the Mississippi average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 16% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in DeSoto County, Mississippi
A Large-Scale Educational Hub in Northern Mississippi
DeSoto County manages a massive education infrastructure with 42 total public schools, including 23 elementary, 8 middle, and 10 high schools. This single-district system serves 35,003 students, making it one of the largest and most consolidated school populations in the state.
High Graduation Rates and Efficient Spending
The county boasts an impressive 92.0% graduation rate, significantly outperforming both the state average of 87.1% and the national average of 87.0%. While the per-pupil expenditure of $5,017 remains below the state and national averages, the school score of 50.3 indicates performance that exceeds the state median.
Unified Under the DeSoto County School District
The DeSoto County School District operates as the sole provider for the area, managing all 42 schools and 35,003 students. There are currently no charter schools in the county, ensuring a streamlined public education experience for all residents.
Suburban Excellence with Room to Grow
Education here feels distinctly suburban, with 25 schools located in suburban areas and 17 in rural settings. Schools are notably large, averaging 898 students, with DeSoto Central High School topping the list at 1,995 students.
Secure Your Future in DeSoto County
With some of the highest graduation rates in Mississippi, this county is a top choice for families prioritizing academic success. Explore homes in Southaven or Hernando to give your children access to this high-performing, unified school system.
School Overview
Total Schools
42
in DeSoto County
Total Enrollment
35,003
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in DeSoto County
DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST
42 Public Schools in DeSoto County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DESOTO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 1,995 |
| SOUTHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 1,850 |
| DESOTO CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 6–8 | Middle | 1,468 |
| SOUTHAVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 6–8 | Middle | 1,456 |
| HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 1,419 |
| HORN LAKE HIGH | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 1,361 |
| LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 1,275 |
| HERNANDO MIDDLE SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 6–8 | Middle | 1,150 |
| OLIVE BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 1,117 |
| PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 1,110 |
| CENTER HILL HIGH SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 1,075 |
| LEWISBURG MIDDLE | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 6–8 | Middle | 1,031 |
| HORN LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 6–8 | Middle | 1,021 |
| SOUTHAVEN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 3–5 | Primary | 990 |
| LAKE CORMORANT HIGH | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 969 |
| HORN LAKE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 3–5 | Primary | 921 |
| DESOTO CENTRAL PRIMARY | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | KG–2 | Primary | 876 |
| DESOTO CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 3–5 | Primary | 796 |
| OAK GROVE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | 4–5 | Primary | 787 |
| HERNANDO ELEM | DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST | KG–1 | Primary | 779 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,017
State avg $5,954
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in DeSoto County rate?
What is the graduation rate in DeSoto County?
How much does DeSoto County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in DeSoto County, Mississippi — FAQ
What does the school system look like in DeSoto County, Mississippi?
DeSoto County manages a massive education infrastructure with 42 total public schools, including 23 elementary, 8 middle, and 10 high schools. This single-district system serves 35,003 students, making it one of the largest and most consolidated school populations in the state.
How do schools in DeSoto County perform academically?
The county boasts an impressive 92.0% graduation rate, significantly outperforming both the state average of 87.1% and the national average of 87.0%. While the per-pupil expenditure of $5,017 remains below the state and national averages, the school score of 50.3 indicates performance that exceeds the state median.
What are the major school districts in DeSoto County, Mississippi?
The DeSoto County School District operates as the sole provider for the area, managing all 42 schools and 35,003 students. There are currently no charter schools in the county, ensuring a streamlined public education experience for all residents.
What is the school experience like in DeSoto County?
Education here feels distinctly suburban, with 25 schools located in suburban areas and 17 in rural settings. Schools are notably large, averaging 898 students, with DeSoto Central High School topping the list at 1,995 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in DeSoto County, Mississippi?
With some of the highest graduation rates in Mississippi, this county is a top choice for families prioritizing academic success. Explore homes in Southaven or Hernando to give your children access to this high-performing, unified school system.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.