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Court House Hernando MSPhoto: Thomas R Machnitzki · CC BY-SA 3.0
A
Schools in Hernando · DeSoto County School District

Hernando’s public schools outscore 89% of Mississippi districts

61% of students in Hernando’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Mississippi average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Hernando, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Mississippi, not nationally.

#16of 101 Mississippi townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Mississippi state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
49%
▲ 7 pts vs MS 42%
2021–22
Math proficiency
61%
▲ 14 pts vs MS 47%
2021–22
Graduate on time
94%
▲ 5 pts vs MS 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$9.7K
▼ 21% vs MS $12.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.2
MS 13.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
6
4,933 students on the public path
In brief

Hernando’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 91 Mississippi towns with household incomes within a quarter of Hernando’s, its schools beat 77%, lower than their 89% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 49% and math 61% in spring 2022, against 42% and 47% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $9,732 per student, against $12,392 across Mississippi (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 2 the district’s path is Hernando Hills Elementary, then Hernando Middle School, then Hernando High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Hernando Baptist Kindergarten (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Hernando’s grade

A− Test scoresA− Graduation

A: better than 89% of Mississippi school districts, #16 of 101 Mississippi towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Mississippi average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Mississippi school districts we grade (150)Better than 89%
Lower resultsHigher results
Mississippi towns with similar household incomes (91)Better than 77%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 18,572 test results and a graduating class of 2,580 could put Hernando anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Hernando’s students in the tested grades sat them (18,343 in math, 18,802 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Hernando, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–1Hernando Elementary SchoolDeSoto County School DistrictNo scores
2–3Hernando Hills ElementaryDeSoto County School DistrictA+
6–8Hernando Middle SchoolDeSoto County School DistrictA+
9–12Hernando High SchoolDeSoto County School DistrictA+

Hernando’s public schools are run by DeSoto County School District, which also serves Horn Lake, Olive Branch, Southaven and Walls. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

DeSoto County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 39 schools · 34,934 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 16.2 per teacher (MS 13.9)
$9,732MS $12,392 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading49%
State average 41.7% · 18802 students tested
Math61%
State average 47% · 18343 students tested

Hernando vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Mississippi towns that share Hernando’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
HernandoADeSoto County
SouthavenADeSoto County

Every school in Hernando

6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Mississippi’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Hernandoby address
Hernando Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–1
707 students17:1Rate it →
Hernando Hills Elementary
Elementary · Grades 2–3
A+
770 students16:1Rate it →
Oak Grove Central Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 4–5
A+
744 students15:1Rate it →
Hernando Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A+
1,183 students17:1Rate it →
Hernando High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
1,529 students17:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Hernando Baptist Kindergarten
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Religious
68 students34:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Hernando Intermediate School).

Questions about Hernando’s schools

Are Hernando’s schools good?

By Mississippi’s own tests, yes: the public schools Hernando children attend outscore 89% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #16 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 77%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Hernando in?

DeSoto County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 34,934 students in 39 schools (2024–25).

Where do Hernando kids go to high school?

Hernando High School, with 1,529 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Hernando’s graduation rate?

94% of the class of 2023 in DeSoto County School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.

How much does Hernando spend per student?

$9,732 in DeSoto County School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Hernando?

Yes: Hernando Baptist Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 68 students).

Parents talk

What Hernando families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hernando → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Mississippi. Stars are from neighbors.