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Southaven MS Photo CollagePhoto: Trevor Birchett · CC BY-SA 4.0
A
Schools in Southaven · DeSoto County School District

Southaven’s public schools outscore 89% of Mississippi districts

On the state math tests, 61% of Southaven’s students scored proficient, above the Mississippi average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Southaven, 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
11
11,160 students on the public path
In brief

Southaven’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 89 Mississippi towns with household incomes within a quarter of Southaven’s, its schools beat 75%, 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 ↓

Four elementary schools, then three elementary, two middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Northstar International Academy Online (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 Southaven’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 (89)Better than 75%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 18,572 test results and a graduating class of 2,580 could put Southaven anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Southaven’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 Southaven, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–24 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC
3–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC to A−
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressB− to A
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressB− to B+

Southaven’s public schools are run by DeSoto County School District, which also serves Hernando, Horn Lake, Olive Branch 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

Southaven vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SouthavenADeSoto County
Horn LakeADeSoto County
Olive BranchADeSoto County
HernandoADeSoto County

All 3 neighbors share DeSoto County with Southaven, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. Memphis, TN borders Southaven but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.

Every school in Southaven

11 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 Southavenby address
DeSoto Central Primary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
792 students17:1Rate it →
Southaven Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
681 students16:1Rate it →
Hope Sullivan Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
563 students16:1Rate it →
Greenbrook Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
556 students15:1Rate it →
Southaven Intermediate School
Elementary · Grades 3–5
C+
1,046 students16:1Rate it →
DeSoto Central Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–5
A−
831 students16:1Rate it →
Southaven Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
1,423 students16:1Rate it →
DeSoto Central Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A
1,388 students18:1Rate it →
DeSoto Central High School
High · Grades 9–12
B+
2,004 students18:1Rate it →
Southaven High School
High · Grades 9–12
B−
1,876 students16:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Northstar International Academy Online
Grades 4–12
Private · Religious
1,536 studentsRate it →

Questions about Southaven’s schools

Are Southaven’s schools good?

By Mississippi’s own tests, yes: the public schools Southaven 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 75%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Southaven in?

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

Where do Southaven kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: DeSoto Central High School and Southaven High School.

What is Southaven’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 Southaven 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 Southaven?

Yes: Northstar International Academy Online (religious, grades 4–12, 1,536 students).

Parents talk

What Southaven families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Southaven → 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.