Best Schools in Southaven, Mississippi
13 schools · 7 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Southaven?
Use this page to compare every school in Southaven by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Desoto Central Middle School
Middle · Desoto Co School Dist. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Desoto Central High School
High · Desoto Co School Dist. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Northpoint Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Southaven for 2026 are Desoto Central Middle School (5.4/10), Desoto Central High School (5.4/10), and Northpoint Christian School (5.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
13
10 public · 3 private
Avg Score
4.6
out of 10
Median Home
$233,450
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
13
10 public · 3 private
Avg Score
4.6
out of 10
Median Home
$233,450
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +5.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Southaven schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Southaven
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 13). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desoto Central Middle School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Desoto Central High School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Northpoint Christian School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Southaven Elementary | 5.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Southaven High School | 4.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Southaven Intermediate School | 4.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Desoto Central Elementary School | 3.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Northstar Academy | 3.4 / 10 |
| 9 | Southaven Middle School | 3.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 4.6/10
- Median household income
- $86,205
- Median home value
- $233,450
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Southaven compares
Mississippi rank
#114 of 120
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.7
below Mississippi avg (6.3)
Median household income
$86k
165% of Mississippi median
Schools in this city
12
About Schools in Southaven, Mississippi
Southaven, Mississippi is home to 13 schools, including 10 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 4.6 out of 10, schools in Southaven show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Southaven is Desoto Central Primary with a composite score of 5.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Southaven is served by 1 school district: DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST. These districts collectively serve 34,819 students.
Southaven's community shows 30% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $86,205. The poverty rate in the area is 9.5%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 847 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 5.5 | ||
| 2 | 666 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.0 | ||
| 3 | 582 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 4.9 | ||
| 4 | 553 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 4.6 | ||
| 5 | 997 students · 3rd–5th | 4.3 | ||
| 6 | 820 students · 3rd–5th | 3.9 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 8 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,407 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 |
| 2 | 1,451 students · 6th–8th | 3.2 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,011 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
| 2 | 1,825 students · 9th–12th | 4.6 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northpoint Christian School
Private
928 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.1 |
| 2 | Northstar Academy
Private
1,663 students · 4th–12th | 3.4 |
Schools in Southaven
Southaven, Mississippi · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$86,205
Median Home Value
$233,450
Median Rent
$1,758/mo
Population
52,969
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Community Profile
Southaven has a median household income of $86,205. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,450, with a median rent of $1,758/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Mississippi
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Mississippi
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Southaven, Mississippi
How many schools are in Southaven, Mississippi?
Southaven has 13 schools, including 10 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Southaven, Mississippi?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Southaven is 4.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Southaven, Mississippi?
The top-ranked school in Southaven on MySchoolScout is Desoto Central Middle School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Southaven, Mississippi?
The top-ranked elementary school in Southaven on MySchoolScout is Southaven Elementary with a composite score of 5.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Southaven, Mississippi?
The top-ranked middle school in Southaven on MySchoolScout is Desoto Central Middle School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
What is the best high school in Southaven, Mississippi?
The top-ranked high school in Southaven on MySchoolScout is Desoto Central High School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
How many school districts serve Southaven, Mississippi?
Southaven is served by 1 school district: Desoto Co School Dist.
What is the education level in Southaven, Mississippi?
According to Census data, 30% of adults in Southaven have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Southaven, Mississippi?
The median household income in Southaven is approximately $86,205 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Southaven, Mississippi?
Yes, Southaven has 3 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is Northpoint Christian School with a score of 5.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Southaven, Mississippi?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Southaven is 15.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Southaven, Mississippi?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Mississippi Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.