Best Public Schools in Zip Code 38632

ZIP code 38632 (Hernando, MS) is served by 6 public schools in the DeSoto County School District, including 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school, with a combined enrollment of about 5,929 students. The schools form a grade-level pipeline, with Hernando Elementary School (PK–1), Hernando Hills Elementary (2–3), Oak Grove Central Elementary School (4–5), two middle schools for grades 6–8, and Hernando High School (9–12). This is a high-performing cluster where every tested school beats both district and state averages, though there are some warning signs.

The clear academic leader is Lewisburg Middle School, ranked #2 in Mississippi with 5 stars, and it posts exceptional math scores—90.9% proficiency in 7th grade math—along with a 100% Algebra I pass rate. Hernando High School is also excellent, ranked #12 statewide with a 97.1% graduation rate and strong Algebra I (88.5%) and Biology (78.1%) scores. Hernando Middle School remains a 5-star school but has slipped from #7 to #20, largely due to a sharp drop in 6th grade math. Oak Grove Central Elementary School is still above average but has fallen from #18 to #65 over three years. The two early elementary schools lack state rankings, but Hernando Hills Elementary posts solid 3rd grade scores despite having the highest poverty rate in the ZIP.

Math is the area’s biggest strength, with proficiency often 20–30 points above English Language Arts, which is the relative weakness across all schools. Chronic absenteeism is a concern, especially at Hernando High (29.7%) and both middle schools, while elementary schools are healthier. Poverty levels vary from 21.8% at Lewisburg Middle to 36.6% at Hernando Hills, but even higher-poverty campuses outperform state averages. Year-over-year declines at Hernando Hills (3rd grade math down 9.3 points) and Hernando Middle (6th grade math down 12.3 points) deserve monitoring, while Lewisburg Middle continues to hold steady or improve. Overall, this is one of the strongest school clusters in Mississippi—anchored by Lewisburg Middle and Hernando High—but families should watch ELA proficiency, attendance trends, and recent score dips in the lower grades.