Average
#650 of 862 schools in MS
Desoto Central Middle School
Middle School · DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST
2611 CENTRAL PARKWAY, Southaven, MS 38672
Enrollment
1,407
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,407
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Southaven
#4 of 7
public schools
Mississippi middle schools
#128 of 183
In district
#25 of 39
DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST
Equity
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Desoto Central Middle School
DeSoto Central Middle School serves 1,407 students in grades 6-8 in Southaven, Mississippi, making it one of the larger middle schools in the state. With 80 full-time teachers, the school maintains a manageable 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful classroom interaction. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, ranking 242nd out of 865 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 72nd percentile.
Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 69% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 57% reach proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. This academic achievement has earned the school a 6.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. DeSoto Central Middle School benefits from its location in an affluent suburban community where families are deeply invested in education.
The surrounding neighborhood boasts a median household income of $103,692 and a very low poverty rate of just 2.7%. With 36% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the school draws from a well-educated community that values academic success. Located on Central Parkway in this thriving suburban setting, DeSoto Central Middle School serves as an educational cornerstone for families in one of Mississippi's most prosperous communities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Desoto Central Middle School — Students at Desoto Central Middle School score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.2%
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: 5.3/10.
How Desoto Central Middle School Compares
See how Desoto Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 69% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 56% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
2611 CENTRAL PARKWAY, Southaven, MS 38672
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desoto Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HORN LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.3/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Horn Lake), with a comparable rating. Another option is Havenview Middle (rated 2.9/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Memphis), a more accessible option. Additionally, SOUTHAVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 2.8/10, 4.3 miles away), 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 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven | 0.2 mi | 4.7 |
| DESOTO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Southaven | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| NORTHPOINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Southaven | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| NORTHSTAR ACADEMY Southaven | 2.1 mi | 3.4 |
| DESOTO CENTRAL PRIMARY Southaven | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| CROSS CREEK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olive Branch | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| DESOTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olive Branch | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| GREENBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
| GREENBROOK BAPTIST CHURCH KINDERGARTEN Southaven | 3.4 mi | — |
| SOUTHAVEN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Southaven | 3.4 mi | 5.5 |
| PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY Olive Branch | 3.4 mi | 5.2 |
| SOUTHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL Southaven | 4.2 mi | 6.1 |
| SOUTHAVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Southaven | 4.3 mi | 2.8 |
| SOUTHAVEN ELEMENTARY Southaven | 4.7 mi | 5.4 |
| HOPE SULLIVAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven | 5.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Oakshire Elementary Memphis | 5.7 mi | 7.7 |
| HERNANDO HILLS ELEMENTARY Hernando | 6.2 mi | 6.8 |
| HORN LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Horn Lake | 5.2 mi | 4.3 |
| HORN LAKE ELEM Horn Lake | 5.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Havenview Middle Memphis | 6.2 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| HANCOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL Kiln, MS | 5.2 |
| LEWISBURG MIDDLE Hernando, MS | 5.2 |
| ST. MARTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Ocean Springs, MS | 5.2 |
| HERNANDO MIDDLE SCHOOL Hernando, MS | 5.6 |
| OAK GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Hattiesburg, MS | 5.6 |
| OCEAN SPRINGS UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHO Ocean Springs, MS | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desoto Central Middle School
What grades does Desoto Central Middle School serve?
Desoto Central Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Desoto Central Middle School?
Desoto Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,407 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desoto Central Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desoto Central Middle School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desoto Central Middle School rank in MS?
Desoto Central Middle School is ranked #650 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is Desoto Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desoto Central Middle School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desoto Central Middle School has 72.6% math proficiency and 55.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desoto Central Middle School a charter school?
No, Desoto Central Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desoto Central Middle School a Title I school?
No, Desoto Central Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desoto Central Middle School?
37.2% of students at Desoto Central Middle 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Southaven). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,407
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- DeSoto County
- Phone
- (662) 349-6660
- 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
- #25 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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