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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College Readiness6.2Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,778

Desoto Central High School — Students at Desoto Central High School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
70%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
80%
ELA
53%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.9/10
16th percentile in MS
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
DESOTO CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Southaven 0.3 mi 5.3
DESOTO CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven 0.5 mi 4.7
NORTHPOINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Southaven 2.0 mi 5.1
NORTHSTAR ACADEMY Southaven 1.9 mi 3.4
CROSS CREEK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olive Branch 1.9 mi 8.1
DESOTO CENTRAL PRIMARY Southaven 2.3 mi 5.6
DESOTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olive Branch 2.1 mi 5.5
PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY Olive Branch 3.2 mi 5.2
GREENBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven 3.5 mi 5.2
GREENBROOK BAPTIST CHURCH KINDERGARTEN Southaven 3.6 mi
SOUTHAVEN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Southaven 3.7 mi 5.5
SOUTHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL Southaven 4.4 mi 6.1
SOUTHAVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Southaven 4.5 mi 2.8
SOUTHAVEN ELEMENTARY Southaven 4.9 mi 5.4
HOPE SULLIVAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven 5.4 mi 6.0
HERNANDO HILLS ELEMENTARY Hernando 6.3 mi 6.8
Oakshire Elementary Memphis 5.9 mi 7.7
PARK ACADEMY SCHOOL-PARKWOOD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Olive Branch 5.4 mi 4.0
LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL Olive Branch 6.1 mi 7.0
LEWISBURG INTERMEDIATE Olive Branch 6.2 mi 7.8

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 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,332/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Southaven). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
34,819
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,525
District Rank
#33 of 39

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.

Read our full methodology

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