Desoto Co School District

Five East South Street
Hernando, MS 38632
(District boundaries shown in map)
9/
10
Top 20%

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 8 public preschools serving 5,350 students in Desoto Co School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public pre schools in Mississippi.
Public Preschools in Desoto Co School District have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the Mississippi public pre school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 43% statewide average).
The top ranked public preschools in Desoto Co School District are Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Overpark Elementary School and Lake Cormorant Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public preschool average of 55% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (MS)
# Schools
42 Schools
282 Schools
# Students
34,819 Students
125,600 Students
# Teachers
2,395 Teachers
10,006 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1

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.
This School District
State Average (MS)
#22 out of 148 school districts
(Top 20%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Desoto Co   School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
61%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Desoto Co   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Mississippi by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
49%
42%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Desoto Co   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Mississippi by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
65%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Desoto Co   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Mississippi by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
93%
89%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Desoto Co   School District and public school graduation rate of Mississippi by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.65
0.60
# American Indian Students
22 Students
282 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
577 Students
834 Students
% Asian Students
2%
1%
# Hispanic Students
2,076 Students
5,432 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
4%
# Black Students
14,616 Students
56,691 Students
% Black Students
42%
45%
# White Students
14,215 Students
55,982 Students
% White Students
41%
45%
# Hawaiian Students
41 Students
66 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
3,272 Students
6,313 Students
% of Two or more races Students
9%
5%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
138
9,221
# Students in K Grade:
2,279
22,360
# Students in 1st Grade:
2,568
22,172
# Students in 2nd Grade:
2,599
19,400
# Students in 3rd Grade:
2,581
14,702
# Students in 4th Grade:
2,497
13,066
# Students in 5th Grade:
2,575
10,676
# Students in 6th Grade:
2,638
4,243
# Students in 7th Grade:
2,683
1,742
# Students in 8th Grade:
2,766
1,709
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,943
1,025
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,959
986
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,539
953
# Students in 12th Grade:
2,410
827
# Ungraded Students:
644
2,518

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.
This School District
This State (MS)
Total Revenue
$345 MM
$5,371 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Desoto Co   School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Mississippi by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$345 MM
$5,314 MM
This chart displays total spending of Desoto Co   School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Mississippi by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$9,911
$12,205
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Desoto Co   School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Mississippi by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$9,915
$12,074
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Desoto Co   School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Mississippi by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Desoto Co School District Public Preschools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pleasant Hill Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7686 Pleasant Hill Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 890-9654
Grades: PK-5
| 1,075 students
Rank: #22.
Overpark Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8530 Forest Hill Irene Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 890-8745
Grades: PK-5
| 645 students
Rank: #33.
Lake Cormorant Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3285 Wilson Mill Rd West
Lake Cormorant, MS 38641
(662) 781-1135
Grades: PK-5
| 639 students
Rank: #44.
Walls Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
6131 Delta View Road
Walls, MS 38680
(662) 781-1280
Grades: PK-5
| 725 students
Rank: #55.
Southaven Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8274 Claiborne Drive
Southaven, MS 38671
(662) 342-2289
Grades: PK-5
| 666 students
Rank: n/an/a
6341 Ridgewood Rd.
Horn Lake, MS 38637
(662) 393-4608
Grades: PK-2
| 509 students
Rank: n/an/a
Lewisburg Primary
1707 Craft Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 893-6001
Grades: PK-1
| 579 students
Rank: n/an/a
9549 E Pigeon Roost Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 895-2256
Grades: PK-1
| 512 students

Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 42 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 34,819 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 59%
  • : 93% (Top 20% in MS)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 61% (Top 20%)
  • : 49% (Top 20%)
  • : 65% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MS Dept. of Education

Quick Links