Below Average
#753 of 862 schools in MS
Desoto Central Elementary School
Elementary School · DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST
2411 CENTRAL PARKWAY, Southaven, MS 38672
Enrollment
820
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
820
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Southaven
#6 of 7
public schools
Mississippi elementary schools
#374 of 436
In district
#35 of 39
DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Desoto Central Elementary School
DeSoto Central Elementary School serves grades 3–5 in Southaven, a large suburban community in DeSoto County. The school enrolls 820 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.1 to 1, supported by 51 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, DeSoto Central ranks in the upper-middle range statewide, placing in the 65th percentile among Mississippi schools.
The school's academic score of 8.2 out of 10 reflects solid foundational work, with reading proficiency at 61 percent and math proficiency at 57 percent across its grade levels. While there's room for academic growth, particularly in math, these results show the school is keeping pace with state expectations as students progress through upper elementary grades. With its moderate class sizes and established teaching staff, DeSoto Central offers a structured learning environment for developing young learners.
The school draws from the local Southaven area, a growing suburban region that supports family-focused community engagement.
Score Breakdown
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Desoto Central Elementary School — Students at Desoto Central Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from MS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.
How Desoto Central Elementary School Compares
See how Desoto Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 59% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 61% (2019) to 59% (2022).
Location
2411 CENTRAL PARKWAY, Southaven, MS 38672
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desoto Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakshire Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Memphis), which scores notably higher. Another option is HERNANDO HILLS ELEMENTARY (rated 6.8/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Hernando), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOPE SULLIVAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Southaven, see our Southaven schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DESOTO CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Southaven | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| DESOTO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Southaven | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| NORTHPOINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Southaven | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| DESOTO CENTRAL PRIMARY Southaven | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| NORTHSTAR ACADEMY Southaven | 2.2 mi | 3.4 |
| CROSS CREEK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olive Branch | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
| DESOTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olive Branch | 2.5 mi | 5.5 |
| GREENBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven | 3.2 mi | 5.2 |
| GREENBROOK BAPTIST CHURCH KINDERGARTEN Southaven | 3.4 mi | — |
| SOUTHAVEN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Southaven | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY Olive Branch | 3.6 mi | 5.2 |
| SOUTHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL Southaven | 4.0 mi | 6.1 |
| SOUTHAVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Southaven | 4.2 mi | 2.8 |
| SOUTHAVEN ELEMENTARY Southaven | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| HOPE SULLIVAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven | 5.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Oakshire Elementary Memphis | 5.6 mi | 7.7 |
| HORN LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Horn Lake | 5.0 mi | 4.3 |
| HERNANDO HILLS ELEMENTARY Hernando | 6.1 mi | 6.8 |
| HORN LAKE ELEM Horn Lake | 5.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Havenview Middle Memphis | 6.1 mi | 2.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38672 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$110,665
Median Home Value
$290,600
Median Rent
$2,197/mo
Population
15,899
College Educated
38.5%
Homeownership
90.5%
Avg Commute
25.6 min
Poverty Rate
1%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desoto Central Elementary School has a median household income of $110,665. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,600, with a median rent of $2,197/month. The local poverty rate of 1.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CENTER HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Olive Branch, MS | 4.7 |
| WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gulfport, MS | 4.7 |
| OVERPARK ELEMENTARY Olive Branch, MS | 4.8 |
| PERKINSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Perkinston, MS | 4.8 |
| MAGEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Magee, MS | 4.6 |
| MC LAURIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Natchez, MS | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desoto Central Elementary School
What grades does Desoto Central Elementary School serve?
Desoto Central Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Desoto Central Elementary School?
Desoto Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 820 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desoto Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desoto Central Elementary School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desoto Central Elementary School rank in MS?
Desoto Central Elementary School is ranked #753 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is Desoto Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desoto Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Desoto Central Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desoto Central Elementary School has 57.3% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desoto Central Elementary School a charter school?
No, Desoto Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desoto Central Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Desoto Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desoto Central Elementary School?
38.4% of students at Desoto Central Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,332/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Southaven). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 820
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- DeSoto County
- Phone
- (662) 349-6234
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST- District Enrollment
- 34,819
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,525
- District Rank
- #35 of 39
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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