Hernando High School

Hernando High School is a public high school in Hernando, MS, serving about 1,529 students in grades 9–12 within the DeSoto County School District. It is one of Mississippi’s top high schools, ranked 12th out of 224 schools for the 2025–2026 school year with a 5-star rating—a level of performance it has maintained for years, never falling below 18th in the state over the past decade.

Academically, Hernando outperforms most neighboring schools by wide margins. On 2025–2026 state tests, 88.5% of students were proficient in Algebra I, 78.1% in Biology, and 69.9% in English II—each well above district and state averages. Its 97.1% graduation rate also beats the state average of 89.2%. Among nearby schools, only Lewisburg High School is in the same tier, with a 5-star rating and similar test scores. By contrast, Olive Branch High School, Southaven High School, and Horn Lake High School lag significantly in proficiency, especially in English and math. Hernando also serves a comparatively more economically advantaged student body, with a 22.96% free/reduced-price lunch rate, similar to Lewisburg (18.27%) but far lower than Horn Lake (66.56%) or Independence High School (70.22%).

Still, there are a few areas to watch. Chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic—29.7% of students were chronically absent in 2023–24, up from 10.4% in 2018–19. While this is better than most nearby schools, it’s a hidden risk. English II is the school’s relative weak spot, with proficiency near 70%, compared with roughly 88–90% in Algebra I. Hernando also slipped from a top-5 state ranking in 2021–23 to 12th in the most recent two years—still excellent, but slightly off its peak. Finally, its student-teacher ratio of 17.1 is higher than many peers, yet the school continues to outscore schools with smaller classes, suggesting strong instruction and student support. For parents, Hernando High School remains a clear academic leader in the region.