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Average

#612 of 863 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

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#612 of 863

In Southaven

#3 of 10

public schools

In district

#20 of 39

DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST

Academic performance

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Desoto Central High School

5.4/10

High School in Southaven · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Desoto Central Middle School

5.4/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Desoto Central Elementary School

3.9/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Desoto Central High School

Desoto Central High School is a public high school in Southaven, MS, part of DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST. Desoto Central High School serves approximately 2,011 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19:1 student-teacher ratio. Desoto Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #612 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Desoto Central High School show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Desoto Central High School is a large school: 2,011 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

37% of students at Desoto Central High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.6% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.3% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg+17.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency72% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)76% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate94%
AP Participation17.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,525
Chronic Absenteeism36.9%

Desoto Central High School — Students at Desoto Central High School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).

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 MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.0% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 68.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.5% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 32 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
94%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
90%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
95%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
75%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
78%
ELA
70%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
70%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
70%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
80%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
84.6%
ELA
60.3%

* 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 High School Compares

See how Desoto Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in MS
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
1.2/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.2
Sports
10
5 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
17.5% participation·State avg: 2.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics10sports offered
5 boys'·5 girls'·10 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.3/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Olive Branch), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SOUTHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.6/10, 4.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PARK ACADEMY SCHOOL-PARKWOOD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (rated 4.0/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Olive Branch), a more accessible option. 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 5.4
DESOTO CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven 0.5 mi 3.9
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 5.5
DESOTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olive Branch 2.1 mi 5.5
PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY Olive Branch 3.2 mi 6.3
GREENBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven 3.5 mi 4.9
GREENBROOK BAPTIST CHURCH KINDERGARTEN Southaven 3.6 mi
SOUTHAVEN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Southaven 3.7 mi 4.3
SOUTHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL Southaven 4.4 mi 4.6
SOUTHAVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Southaven 4.5 mi 3.2
SOUTHAVEN ELEMENTARY Southaven 4.9 mi 5.0
HOPE SULLIVAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven 5.4 mi 4.6
HERNANDO HILLS ELEMENTARY Hernando 6.3 mi 6.8
Oakshire Elementary Memphis 5.9 mi 3.5
PARK ACADEMY SCHOOL-PARKWOOD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Olive Branch 5.4 mi 4.0
LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL Olive Branch 6.1 mi 6.3
LEWISBURG INTERMEDIATE Olive Branch 6.2 mi 8.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
PEARL HIGH SCHOOL Pearl, MS 5.4
HARRISON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Gulfport, MS 5.3
TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL Tupelo, MS 5.7
MADISON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Madison, MS 6.0
OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL Oxford, MS 6.0
SOUTH JONES HIGH SCHOOL Ellisville, 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 ranks #612 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Desoto Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desoto Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Desoto Central High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desoto Central High School has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.9%
4-Year Graduation
94.0%

District

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

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