Below Average
#728 of 862 schools in MS
Desoto Central High School
High School · DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST
2911 Central Parkway, Southaven, MS 38672
Enrollment
2,011
Student-Teacher
19:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,011
Student-Teacher
19:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Southaven
#3 of 3
public schools
Mississippi high schools
#178 of 196
In district
#33 of 39
DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST
Equity
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Desoto Central High School
DeSoto Central High School serves 2,011 students in grades 9-12 in Southaven, Mississippi, making it one of the larger high schools in DeSoto County. With 106 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, providing reasonable class sizes for this substantial student body. Academically, DeSoto Central performs well above state averages, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranking 213th out of 865 Mississippi high schools, placing it in the 76th percentile statewide.
The school's academic score of 9.2 out of 10 reflects particularly strong performance in mathematics, where 80% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels. In English Language Arts and Reading, 53% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards. The school draws from an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $103,692 and the poverty rate remains remarkably low at just 2.7%.
With 36% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values at $268,300, the surrounding neighborhood reflects a well-educated, economically stable population. Located on Central Parkway in this thriving large suburban area of northern Mississippi, DeSoto Central High School serves families in one of the region's most prosperous communities.
What Parents Should Know
Desoto Central High School is a large school with 2,011 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
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Desoto Central High School — Students at Desoto Central High School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 3.1/10.
How Desoto Central High School Compares
See how Desoto Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 70% (2019) to 80% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 53% (2022).
Location
2911 Central Parkway, Southaven, MS 38672
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desoto Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Olive Branch), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PARK ACADEMY SCHOOL-PARKWOOD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (rated 4.0/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Olive Branch), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Southaven, see our Southaven schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 miNeighborhood 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| WEST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel, MS | 5.1 |
| STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Starkville, MS | 4.2 |
| SOUTH JONES HIGH SCHOOL Ellisville, MS | 5.7 |
| HORN LAKE HIGH Horn Lake, MS | 5.8 |
| OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL Oxford, MS | 5.8 |
| MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL Meridian, MS | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desoto Central High School
What grades does Desoto Central High School serve?
Desoto Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Desoto Central High School?
Desoto Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,011 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desoto Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desoto Central High School is 19:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desoto Central High School rank in MS?
Desoto Central High School is ranked #728 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is Desoto Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desoto Central High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desoto Central High School has 62.0% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desoto Central High School a charter school?
No, Desoto Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desoto Central High School a Title I school?
No, Desoto Central High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desoto Central High School?
30.4% of students at Desoto Central High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,011
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 106
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- DeSoto County
- Phone
- (662) 536-3612
- 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
- #33 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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