Desoto Central Elementary School

Summary:

Desoto Central Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades 3-5 in the Desoto County School District in Southaven, Mississippi, with a student population of 796. The school consistently outperforms the district and state in academic performance, with a diverse student population and a high rate of free and reduced-price lunch recipients.

Desoto Central Elementary is a standout performer in the Desoto County School District, with 67% of 3rd graders, 67.7% of 4th graders, and 61.7% of 5th graders scoring proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the district scores of 62.3%, 60.4%, and 57.1% respectively, and the state scores of 57.7%, 57.1%, and 51.7%. The school's diverse student population, with 39.07% White, 40.45% African American, 2.39% Hispanic, 5.03% Asian, and 12.69% two or more races, is higher than many of the surrounding schools, such as Lewisburg Intermediate, which has a student population that is 79.93% White.

Despite the economic challenges faced by the school's community, with 99.62% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, Desoto Central Elementary has maintained a strong academic performance, ranking in the top 25% of Mississippi elementary schools for the past several years and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. This success can serve as a model for other schools in the district and the state as they work to provide high-quality education to all students, regardless of their economic or social background.


Detail:

Public 3-5

 2411 Central Parkway
       Southaven, MS  38672


(662) 349-6234

District: Desoto County School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
96th of 390 Mississippi Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,129 Help


Students who attend Desoto Central Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Desoto Central Middle School
High:    Desoto Central High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.3 Help
Number of students:  796

Racial breakdown:

African American:
40.5%
White:
39.1%
Two or more races:
12.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.6% Help


 See top rated Mississippi elementary schools

 Compare Desoto Central Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Desoto Central Elementary School ranks better than 75.4% of elementary schools in Mississippi. It also ranks 5th among 12 ranked elementary schools in the Desoto County School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 73.06. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Desoto Central Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (40.5%), White (39.1%), two or more races (12.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 99.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Desoto Central Elementary School is 16.3. 21 elementary schools in the Desoto County School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Desoto Central Elementary School employs 48.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Desoto Central Elementary School is $8,129, which is the lowest among 23 elementary schools in the Desoto County School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Desoto Central Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Desoto County School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Desoto County School District 33rd of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Desoto Central Elementary School?

Rank History for Desoto Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2008 92.75 17th 394 95.7%
2009 93.28 13th 392 96.7%
2010 94.13 12th 403 97.0%
2011 93.49 14th 418 96.7%
2012 94.24 13th 414 96.9%
2013 94.59 7th 408 98.3%
2014 83.38 35th 394 91.1%
2015 87.87 35th 402 91.3%
2016 87.17 30th 394 92.4%
2017 88.46 32nd 406 92.1%
2018 86.74 35th 404 91.3%
2019 85.15 49th 397 87.7%
2021 81.35 66th 381 82.7%
2022 79.24 69th 382 81.9%
2023 74.01 84th 377 77.7%
2024 73.06 96th 390 75.4%
See the entire list of Mississippi Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Mississippi Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Desoto Central Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, September 2, 2011

Open Quote Awesome leadership with Ms. Wilkinson & Ms. Laster! Amazing Staff!!! The teachers are wonderful and really CARE about our kids! Candie the Counselor is priceless!!! THIS SCHOOL IS TERRIFIC!!!! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Desoto Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2002 1093 142 8 15 0 n/a n/a 0 1258
2003 1093 142 8 15 0 n/a n/a 0 1258
2004 1066 139 16 21 4 n/a n/a 0 1246
2005 780 156 19 17 3 n/a n/a 0 975
2006 907 172 30 19 3 n/a n/a 0 1131
2007 1008 180 44 23 2 n/a n/a 0 1257
2008 1022 189 44 28 0 n/a n/a 0 1283
2009 1067 214 49 35 0 0 0 0 1365
2010 1035 244 60 31 0 0 0 0 1370
2011 563 121 30 12 0 0 0 0 726
2012 520 124 29 16 0 0 0 0 689
2013 503 122 33 16 0 0 1 0 675
2014 467 150 30 16 1 0 2 0 666
2015 466 184 33 24 1 0 12 0 720
2016 430 195 33 25 3 0 17 0 703
2017 419 220 39 26 2 0 29 0 735
2018 420 224 34 19 1 0 47 0 745
2019 422 240 35 21 1 0 78 0 797
2020 407 266 31 21 1 0 82 0 808
2021 351 274 34 18 0 0 78 0 755
2022 321 285 38 16 0 1 104 0 765
2023 311 322 40 19 1 2 101 0 796

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Desoto Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 1258 54.7 23.0 28.7
2003 1258 54.7 23.0 28.7
2004 1246 59.2 21.0 12.8
2005 975 51.5 18.9 16.5
2006 1131 54.7 20.7 11.2
2007 1257 57.9 21.7 18.1
2008 1283 63.3 20.3 19.1
2009 1365 68.1 20.0 21
2010 1370 66.0 20.7 23.8
2011 726 36.5 19.8 25.1
2012 689 37.1 18.5 31.6
2013 675 38.2 17.6 27.1
2014 666 36.6 18.1 29.6
2015 720 39.0 18.4 31.7
2016 703 37.0 19.0 34.1
2017 735 38.1 19.2 37.7
2018 745 39.1 19.0 36.1
2019 797 42.4 18.7 35.8
2020 808 44.6 18.1 36.9
2021 755 46.5 16.2 99.6
2022 765 46.6 16.4 99.6
2023 796 48.7 16.3 99.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Desoto Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 1258 54.7 23.0 28.7
2003 1258 54.7 23.0 28.7
2004 1246 59.2 21.0 12.8
2005 975 51.5 18.9 16.5
2006 1131 54.7 20.7 11.2
2007 1257 57.9 21.7 18.1
2008 1283 63.3 20.3 19.1
2009 1365 68.1 20.0 21
2010 1370 66.0 20.7 23.8
2011 726 36.5 19.8 25.1
2012 689 37.1 18.5 31.6
2013 675 38.2 17.6 27.1
2014 666 36.6 18.1 29.6
2015 720 39.0 18.4 31.7
2016 703 37.0 19.0 34.1
2017 735 38.1 19.2 37.7
2018 745 39.1 19.0 36.1
2019 797 42.4 18.7 35.8
2020 808 44.6 18.1 36.9
2021 755 46.5 16.2 99.6
2022 765 46.6 16.4 99.6
2023 796 48.7 16.3 99.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Desoto Central Elementary School

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2017 $6,303
2018 $6,378
2019 $6,739
2020 $8,041
2021 $7,368
2022 $8,129

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Desoto Central Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 49th of 397 Elementary schoolsRanks 84th of 377 Elementary schools
 9.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Desoto Central Elementary School)6365.9
 2.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Desoto County School District)53.256.2
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)48.351.6
 3.3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Desoto Central Elementary School)75.663.1
 12.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Desoto County School District)60.561.7
 1.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)51.454.8
 3.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto Central Elementary School)61.564.1
 2.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto County School District)53.158.4
 5.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)48.553.4
 4.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Desoto Central Elementary School)59.657.5
 2.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Desoto County School District)58.962
 3.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)48.856.7
 7.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto Central Elementary School)5960.5
 1.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto County School District)50.359.7
 9.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)4351.9
 8.9%
5th Grade Mathematics (Desoto Central Elementary School)58.353.4
 4.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Desoto County School District)47.751.3
 3.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)38.944.3
 5.4%
5th Grade Science (Desoto Central Elementary School)78.672.2
 6.4%
   5th Grade Science (Desoto County School District)57.667.2
 9.6%
   5th Grade Science (Mississippi)55.964.3
 8.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students797796
 0.1%
African American240322
 34.2%
American Indian11
Asian3540
 14.3%
Hispanic2119
 9.5%
Pacific Islander02
White422311
 26.3%
Two or More Races78101
 29.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients35.8%99.6%
 63.9%


Schools Near Desoto Central Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Desoto Central Elementary School

Students who attend Desoto Central Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Desoto Central Middle School
High : Desoto Central High School

Desoto Central Elementary School ranks 96th of 390 Mississippi elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 796 students attended Desoto Central Elementary School.

Students at Desoto Central Elementary School are 40% African American, 39% White, 13% Two or more races, 5% Asian, 2% Hispanic.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Mississippi Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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