Top Rankings
Desoto Co School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Mississippi for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public high schools serving 11,000 students in Desoto Co School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public high schools in Mississippi.
Public High Schools in Desoto Co School District have an average math proficiency score of 79% (versus the Mississippi public high school average of 56%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 42% statewide average).
The top ranked public high schools in Desoto Co School District are Lewisburg High School, Hernando High School and Center Hill High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Public High School in Desoto Co School District have a Graduation Rate of 93%, which is more than the Mississippi average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Lake Cormorant High School, with 97% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Mississippi or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public high school average of 55% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MS)
# Schools
42 Schools
401 Schools
# Students
34,819 Students
156,115 Students
# Teachers
2,395 Teachers
11,991 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Desoto Co School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 148 school districts in Mississippi (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 93% has increased from 89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#22 out of 148 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
47%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
42%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
55%
Graduation Rate
93%
89%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.60
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
2%
1%
% Hispanic
6%
5%
% Black
42%
45%
% White
41%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
9%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $9,911 in this school district is less than the state median of $12,205. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,915 is less than the state median of $12,074. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$345 MM
$5,371 MM
Spending
$345 MM
$5,314 MM
Revenue / Student
$9,911
$12,205
Spending / Student
$9,915
$12,074
Best Desoto Co School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lewisburg High School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1755 Craft Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 890-6708
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 890-6708
Grades: 9-12
| 1,286 students
Rank: #22.
Hernando High School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
805 Dilworth Lane
Hernando, MS 38632
(662) 429-4170
Hernando, MS 38632
(662) 429-4170
Grades: 9-12
| 1,482 students
Rank: #33.
Center Hill High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
13250 Kirk Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 890-2490
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 890-2490
Grades: 9-12
| 1,054 students
Rank: #44.
Desoto Central High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2911 Central Parkway
Southaven, MS 38672
(662) 536-3612
Southaven, MS 38672
(662) 536-3612
Grades: 9-12
| 2,011 students
Rank: #55.
Lake Cormorant High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10201 Star Landing Rd.
Lake Cormorant, MS 38641
(662) 996-3060
Lake Cormorant, MS 38641
(662) 996-3060
Grades: 9-12
| 974 students
Rank: #66.
Olive Branch High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9366 E Sandidge Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 893-3344
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 893-3344
Grades: 9-12
| 1,077 students
Rank: #77.
Southaven High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
735 Rasco Road
Southaven, MS 38671
(662) 393-9300
Southaven, MS 38671
(662) 393-9300
Grades: 9-12
| 1,825 students
Rank: #88.
Horn Lake High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3360 Church Road
Horn Lake, MS 38637
(662) 393-5273
Horn Lake, MS 38637
(662) 393-5273
Grades: 9-12
| 1,291 students
Rank: n/an/a
Desoto Co Career Center East
Vocational School
8890 Deerfield Dr
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 893-0855
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 893-0855
Grades: 10-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Desoto Co Voc Complex
Vocational School
847 Rasco Road
Southaven, MS 38671
(662) 393-6211
Southaven, MS 38671
(662) 393-6211
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Desoto County Alternative Center
Alternative School
2690 Magnolia Street
Hernando, MS 38632
(662) 429-5597
Hernando, MS 38632
(662) 429-5597
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
