DeSoto Central Middle School

As a substantial junior high in Southaven, Mississippi, DeSoto Central Middle School works with 1,388 students from grades 6 through 8, overseen by DeSoto County School District. That puts it 207% above the typical public school in Mississippi, which averages around 452 students.

DeSoto County School District comprises 39 schools with combined enrollment of 34,934 students; DeSoto Central Middle School is among them.

On demographics, DeSoto Central Middle School reports that the most-represented group is Black (48%), with the rest of the student body spread across multiple groups. The remainder breaks down as 31% White, 9% Hispanic, 8% multiracial, 4% Asian. That is noticeably more Black than the county at large, where the share is closer to 33%.

Looking at school resources, Staff filings list 79 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 17.6:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.7:1, putting DeSoto Central Middle School higher than the state norm the norm. Roughly 42% of students at DeSoto Central Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

In the broader community, census data for DeSoto County shows the typical household earns roughly $85,297 per year, about 29% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 8%. Across DeSoto County's 43 public schools (combined enrollment of about 34,934 students), DeSoto Central Middle School is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is DeSoto Central Elementary, roughly 0.2 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

Geographically, the school is in a bedroom-community area.

Five-year trend. Over the past 7-year window, the student count edged up 3%: 1,347 students in 2018 compared to 1,388 in 2025. The White share of enrollment declined from 57% to 31% over that span.

Within the allk12 community for this school, recent activity here tends to focus on enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.