Southaven Middle School

Summary:

Southaven Middle School is a public middle school serving 1,456 students in grades 6-8 in the Desoto County School District in Southaven, Mississippi. While the school has a diverse student population, it consistently underperforms compared to neighboring schools and the state as a whole.

Southaven Middle School's academic performance lags significantly behind other middle schools in the district. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 25.4% of 6th graders, 28.8% of 7th graders, and 25.9% of 8th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to district averages of 45.5%, 47.5%, and 46.9%, respectively. The school also struggles with math and science proficiency. Additionally, Southaven Middle School has an extremely high percentage of students (over 99%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

Despite having a relatively low student-teacher ratio, which could be an asset, Southaven Middle School's performance has been consistently low over the past several years, with little improvement in its state ranking or proficiency rates. In comparison, neighboring schools such as Lewisburg Middle, Center Hill Middle, Hernando Middle School, and Desoto Central Middle School all have significantly higher proficiency rates and overall state rankings. This suggests that Southaven Middle School faces systemic challenges that require a comprehensive, long-term approach to address and improve educational outcomes for its students.

Detail:

Public 6-8

899 Rasco Road
Southaven, MS 38671

(662) 280-0422

District: Desoto County School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
206^th of 264 Mississippi Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,651

Students who attend Southaven Middle School usually attend:

High:

Southaven High School

Feeder schools for Southaven Middle School:

Elementary:	Greenbrook Elementary School
	Hope Sullivan Elementary School
	Southaven Elementary
	Southaven Intermediate School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.9

Number of students: 1,451

Racial breakdown:

African American:

60.1%

White:

16.5%

Two or more races:

11.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 70.2%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Southaven Middle School ranks worse than 78% of middle schools in Mississippi. It also ranks last among 8 ranked middle schools in the Desoto County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.44. (See more...)

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

Compare Details Southaven Middle School has the largest middle school student body size in the Desoto County School District. Racial makeup is: African American (60.1%), White (16.5%), two or more races (11.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 70.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southaven Middle School is 15.9, which is the 4^th best among 8 middle schools in the Desoto County School District. (See more...)

Compare Southaven Middle School employs 90.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southaven Middle School is $8,651. 5 middle schools in the Desoto County School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Southaven Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Southaven Middle School 206^th of 264 Mississippi public middle schools. (See Southaven Middle School in the ranking list.)

Desoto County School District:

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

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Southaven Middle School.

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Rank History for Southaven Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MS State Percentile
2008	73.36	56^th	244	77.0%
2009	69.77	64^th	247	74.1%
2010	62.56	93^rd	255	63.5%
2011	59.50	118^th	264	55.3%
2012	56.59	116^th	270	57.0%
2013	57.50	124^th	269	53.9%
2014	30.89	191^st	264	27.7%
2015	48.18	130^th	266	51.1%
2016	52.15	122^nd	260	53.1%
2017	59.97	103^rd	272	62.1%
2018	50.94	122^nd	252	51.6%
2019	51.88	124^th	264	53.0%
2021	44.63	138^th	257	46.3%
2022	37.52	157^th	257	38.9%
2023	22.70	187^th	243	23.0%
2024	22.44	206^th	264	22.0%

See the entire list of Mississippi Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)

50%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, June 24, 2019

Worst education quality. The leadership and management here is horrendous. Do not work here or send a kid here. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Wonderful school. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Southaven Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1997	1066	113	7	10	8	n/a	n/a	1204
1998	1101	109	7	17	3	n/a	n/a	1237
1999	1107	129	6	10	1	n/a	n/a	1253
2000	1120	123	4	12	2	n/a	n/a	1261
2001	1007	123	6	27	1	n/a	n/a	1164
2002	971	176	12	47	1	n/a	n/a	1207
2003	971	176	12	47	1	n/a	n/a	1207
2004	959	232	10	40	0	n/a	n/a	1241
2005	943	300	10	42	2	n/a	n/a	1297
2006	890	366	16	71	3	n/a	n/a	1346
2007	817	413	23	73	4	n/a	n/a	1330
2008	828	439	21	77	4	n/a	n/a	1369
2009	827	504	24	86	6	0	0	1447
2010	851	514	21	85	5	0	1	1477
2011	797	546	21	104	3	0	0	1471
2012	798	615	31	110	1	0	1	1556
2013	800	662	33	121	2	0	4	1622
2014	763	666	31	115	6	1	3	1585
2015	678	715	28	134	5	2	22	1584
2016	592	718	24	128	3	1	39	1505
2017	533	721	18	134	3	0	58	1467
2018	498	762	22	122	2	0	89	1495
2019	420	749	20	128	1	0	94	1412
2020	394	789	25	144	1	1	98	1452
2021	367	762	19	142	0	1	122	1413
2022	349	796	21	163	4	2	133	1468
2023	302	843	18	144	2	2	145	1456
2024	240	872	17	149	2	2	169	1451

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 Southaven Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1997	1204	56.2	21.4	21.4
1998	1237	59.2	20.9	20.9
1999	1253	59.7	21.0	26
2000	1261	59.6	21.2	27
2001	1164	56.8	20.5	28
2002	1207	58.6	20.6	28.7
2003	1207	58.6	20.6	28.7
2004	1241	63.9	19.4	31.7
2005	1297	68.0	19.1	39.2
2006	1346	71.7	18.8	45
2007	1330	72.4	18.4	54.2
2008	1369	71.3	19.2	52.3
2009	1447	77.2	18.7	57.7
2010	1477	78.1	18.9	58.9
2011	1471	78.3	18.7	65.2
2012	1556	82.8	18.7	58.4
2013	1622	89.2	18.1	69.2
2014	1585	90.8	17.4	70.5
2015	1584	88.0	18.0	71.2
2016	1505	92.0	16.3	74.1
2017	1467	93.5	15.6	74.7
2018	1495	96.6	15.4	75.3
2019	1412	100.1	14.0	73.7
2020	1452	99.8	14.5	76.2
2021	1413	101.5	13.9	99.8
2022	1468	102.0	14.3	99.8
2023	1456	89.2	16.3	99.8
2024	1451	90.8	15.9	70.2

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 Southaven Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1997	1204	56.2	21.4	21.4
1998	1237	59.2	20.9	20.9
1999	1253	59.7	21.0	26
2000	1261	59.6	21.2	27
2001	1164	56.8	20.5	28
2002	1207	58.6	20.6	28.7
2003	1207	58.6	20.6	28.7
2004	1241	63.9	19.4	31.7
2005	1297	68.0	19.1	39.2
2006	1346	71.7	18.8	45
2007	1330	72.4	18.4	54.2
2008	1369	71.3	19.2	52.3
2009	1447	77.2	18.7	57.7
2010	1477	78.1	18.9	58.9
2011	1471	78.3	18.7	65.2
2012	1556	82.8	18.7	58.4
2013	1622	89.2	18.1	69.2
2014	1585	90.8	17.4	70.5
2015	1584	88.0	18.0	71.2
2016	1505	92.0	16.3	74.1
2017	1467	93.5	15.6	74.7
2018	1495	96.6	15.4	75.3
2019	1412	100.1	14.0	73.7
2020	1452	99.8	14.5	76.2
2021	1413	101.5	13.9	99.8
2022	1468	102.0	14.3	99.8
2023	1456	89.2	16.3	99.8
2024	1451	90.8	15.9	70.2

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 Southaven Middle School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2017	$6,334
2018	$6,780
2019	$7,198
2020	$7,877
2021	$7,491
2022	$8,651

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southaven Middle 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 124^th of 264 Middle schools	Ranks 187^th of 243 Middle schools	30%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Southaven Middle School)	24.8	26.5	1.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto County School District)	39.8	45	5.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	33.6	40.3	6.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Southaven Middle School)	42.7	22.7	20%
6th Grade Mathematics (Desoto County School District)	64.4	53.2	11.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	47.6	45.5	2.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Southaven Middle School)	27.9	19	8.9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto County School District)	45.8	44.1	1.7%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	39	40.2	1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Southaven Middle School)	53.5	38.9	14.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Desoto County School District)	69	69.6	0.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	51.1	55.6	4.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Southaven Middle School)	36.5	26	10.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Desoto County School District)	44.3	47.4	3.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	35.5	40.5	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Southaven Middle School)	49.3	27.1	22.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Desoto County School District)	63.5	61.7	1.8%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	44.8	46.1	1.3%
8th Grade Science (Southaven Middle School)	55.3	42.2	13.1%
8th Grade Science (Desoto County School District)	63.3	60.9	2.4%
8th Grade Science (Mississippi)	52.7	53.3	0.6%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1412	1456	3.1%
African American	749	843	12.6%
American Indian	1	2	100%
Asian	20	18	10%
Hispanic	128	144	12.5%
Pacific Islander	0	2
White	420	302	28.1%
Two or More Races	94	145	54.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	73.7%	99.8%	26.1%

Schools Near Southaven Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MAAP English Language Arts (2024)				MAAP Mathematics (2024)				MAAP Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MAAP Science 5th Grade	MAAP Science 8th Grade	Total
Southaven Middle School	Public	6-8	899 Rasco Road	Southaven	38671	DeSoto County	Desoto County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 280-0422	1,451	91	15.9	70.2%	240 (16.5%)	872 (60.1%)	149 (10.3%)	17 (1.2%)	2 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	169 (11.6%)	22.4	206^th of 264 public middle schools	22.0%		22.7	187^th of 243 public middle schools	23.0%	19		25.4	28.8	25.9		30.2	43.1	27.2		45.2	$8,651
Horn Lake Middle School	Public	6-8	6125 Hurt Road	Horn Lake	38637	DeSoto County	Desoto County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 393-7443	993	70	14.1	78.7%	129 (13.0%)	710 (71.5%)	76 (7.7%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	70 (7.0%)	31	182^nd of 264 public middle schools	31.1%		33.6	157^th of 243 public middle schools	35.4%	25		28.4	27.1	29.0		35.5	43.9	51.1		47.3	$9,195
Desoto Central Middle School	Public	6-8	2611 Central Parkway	Southaven	38671	DeSoto County	Desoto County School District	No	No	No	No	(662) 349-6660	1,407	80	17.5	37.2%	470 (33.4%)	651 (46.3%)	58 (4.1%)	56 (4.0%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	169 (12.0%)	89.2	22^nd of 264 public middle schools	91.7%		90.7	14^th of 243 public middle schools	94.2%	8		50.8	59.1	62.3		75.0	79.7	76.1		73.7	$8,176
Hernando Middle School	Public	6-8	700 Dilworth Lane	Hernando	38632	DeSoto County	Desoto County School District	No	No	No	No	(662) 429-4154	1,147	67	17.2	24.6%	846 (73.8%)	139 (12.1%)	45 (3.9%)	13 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	103 (9.0%)	93.8	7^th of 264 public middle schools	97.3%		96.3	3^rd of 243 public middle schools	98.8%	4		66.1	66.2	59.7		79.5	87.3	85.1		73.8	$8,350
Olive Branch Middle	Public	6-8	6530 S. Blocker Street	Olive Branch	38654	DeSoto County	Desoto County School District	No	No	No	No	(662) 895-4610	714	48	15.0	60.8%	209 (29.3%)	381 (53.4%)	32 (4.5%)	10 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	82 (11.5%)	56.7	113^th of 264 public middle schools	57.2%		64.9	82^nd of 243 public middle schools	66.3%	31		34.9	43.7	39.1		42.5	65.0	61.0		57.8	$10,308
Lake Cormorant Middle	Public	6-8	3203 Wilson Mill Road	Lake Cormorant	38641	DeSoto County	Desoto County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 781-0778	712	49	14.4	73.7%	239 (33.6%)	338 (47.5%)	67 (9.4%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	62 (8.7%)	49.4	134^th of 264 public middle schools	49.2%		51.4	110^th of 243 public middle schools	54.7%	24		35.5	40.1	32.3		50.5	66.7	49.4		49.5	$9,839
Center Hill Middle	Public	6-8	8756 Forest Hill Irene	Olive Branch	38654	DeSoto County	Desoto County School District	No	No	No	No	(662) 892-6800	768	45	17.0	41.5%	280 (36.5%)	357 (46.5%)	41 (5.3%)	19 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	71 (9.2%)	84.9	30^th of 264 public middle schools	88.6%		84	31^st of 243 public middle schools	87.2%	1		57.6	50.2	54.0		71.2	68.8	78.7		72.1	$9,351
Lewisburg Middle	Public	6-8	2605 Hwy. 305 South	Hernando	38632	DeSoto County	Desoto County School District	No	No	No	No	(662) 892-5050	1,005	55	18.1	16.5%	771 (76.7%)	109 (10.8%)	34 (3.4%)	17 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	72 (7.2%)	95.8	4^th of 264 public middle schools	98.5%		96.7	2^nd of 243 public middle schools	99.2%	2		64.0	64.8	64.1		84.3	93.6	85.0		80.3	$8,768
Byhalia Middle School (5-8)	Public	5-8	172 Highway 309 North	Byhalia	38611	Marshall County	Marshall County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 838-2591	419	27	15.4	100.0%	99 (23.6%)	181 (43.2%)	105 (25.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (8.1%)	25.9	195^th of 264 public middle schools	26.1%		28.9	166^th of 243 public middle schools	31.7%	29	34.4	27.1	20.4	38.0	31.2	27.9	31.7	41.3	55.9	50.0	$8,420

Frequently Asked Questions about Southaven Middle School

Is Southaven Middle School a good school?

Southaven Middle School ranks in the bottom 22.0% of Mississippi middle schools.

What district is Southaven Middle School in?

Desoto County School District

How many students attend Southaven Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,451 students attended Southaven Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Southaven Middle School?

Students at Southaven Middle School are 60% African American, 17% White, 12% Two or more races, 10% Hispanic, 1% Asian.

What high school do graduates of Southaven Middle School attend?

Students who attend Southaven Middle School usually go on to attend Southaven High School

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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.