| Metric | DeSoto County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 35,003 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 42 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $8,264/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ↓ 34% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeSoto County School District (this district) | 9/10 | 84th | 35,003 |
| Madison County School District | 10/10 | 97th | 13,162 |
| Rankin County School District | NR | — | 19,000 |
| Jackson Public Schools | 2/10 | 15th | 18,710 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 129 rated districts in MS → 84th percentile → 9/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- Pleasant Hill Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 1,079 students
- Southaven Intermediate School — Grades 3–5 · 1,046 students
- Horn Lake Intermediate School — Grades 3–5 · 914 students
- DeSoto Central Elementary — Grades 3–5 · 831 students
- DeSoto Central Primary School — Grades PK–2 · 792 students
- Center Hill Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 788 students
- Hernando Hills Elementary — Grades 2–3 · 770 students
- Oak Grove Central Elementary School — Grades 4–5 · 744 students
- Walls Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 722 students
- Hernando Elementary School — Grades PK–1 · 707 students
- Southaven Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 681 students
- Overpark Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 635 students
- Lake Cormorant Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 635 students
- Lewisburg Intermediate School — Grades 4–5 · 606 students
- Lewisburg Elementary School — Grades 2–3 · 604 students
- Lewisburg Primary School — Grades PK–1 · 578 students
- Hope Sullivan Elementary School — Grades PK–2 · 563 students
- Greenbrook Elementary School — Grades PK–2 · 556 students
- Horn Lake Elementary School — Grades PK–2 · 520 students
- Olive Branch Elementary School — Grades PK–1 · 504 students
- Chickasaw Elementary School — Grades 2–3 · 500 students
- Olive Branch Intermediate School — Grades 4–5 · 472 students
- Shadow Oaks Elementary School — Grades PK–2 · 423 students
- Southaven Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 1,423 students
- DeSoto Central Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 1,388 students
- Hernando Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 1,183 students
- Lewisburg Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 996 students
- Horn Lake Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 948 students
- Center Hill Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 757 students
- Olive Branch Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 744 students
- Lake Cormorant Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 707 students
- DeSoto Central High School — Grades 9 · 2,004 students
- Southaven High School — Grades 9 · 1,876 students
- Hernando High School — Grades 9 · 1,529 students
- Lewisburg High School — Grades 9 · 1,330 students
- Horn Lake High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,271 students
- Center Hill High School — Grades 9 · 1,059 students
- Olive Branch High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,058 students
- Lake Cormorant High School — Grades 9 · 991 students
- DeSoto Co. Career Center West — Grades 9–12
- DeSoto Co. Career Center East — Grades 10–12
- DESOTO COUNTY ALTERNATIVE CENTER — Grades K–12
- Hernando Intermediate School
About DeSoto County School District
DeSoto County School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 38672 in Southaven, Mississippi. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 38672. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
With a rating of 9/10 (excellent), DeSoto County School District ranks among Mississippi’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Mississippi is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
DeSoto County School District carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Mississippi benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 38672
Children in zip code 38672 are assigned to DeSoto County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 38672, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact DeSoto County School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Mississippi districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Southaven
For families considering a purchase in the Southaven area, district assignment matters financially. Because DeSoto County School District serves zip code 38672, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 38672. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Mississippi, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support DeSoto County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 38672.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with DeSoto County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 38672 data.