Southaven High School is a suburban public high school located in Southaven, Mississippi, United States. It opened in the fall of 1971, when construction was completed enough so that students could start the first classes. The original school taught 6th through 12th.
Serving 1,825 students in grades 9-12, Southaven High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Mississippi for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 71% (which is higher than the Mississippi state average of 47%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 38% (which is lower than the Mississippi state average of 42%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Mississippi state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Mississippi state average of 58% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,825 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Top 50% in MS)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 71% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 38% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 59% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MS Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Southaven High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Mississippi for:
Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Math Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Southaven High School's student population of 1,825 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 112 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,825 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
112 teachers
Year Founded
1971
Colors
Blue, Orange
School Rankings
Southaven High School ranks within the top 50% of all 805 schools in Mississippi (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Southaven High School is 0.58, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#253 out of 805 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
47%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
42%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
59%
55%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
1%
Hispanic
11%
5%
Black
61%
47%
White
19%
42%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
8%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
87%
89%
Eligible for Free Lunch
51%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
10%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MS Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southaven High School's ranking?
Southaven High School is ranked #253 out of 805 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Mississippi.
What schools are Southaven High School often compared to?
Southaven High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Horn Lake High School, Desoto Central High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
71% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 47% MS state average), while 38% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 42% MS state average).
What is the graduation rate of Southaven High School?
The graduation rate of Southaven High School is 87%, which is lower than the Mississippi state average of 89%.
How many students attend Southaven High School?
1,825 students attend Southaven High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
61% of Southaven High School students are Black, 19% of students are White, 11% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Southaven High School?
Southaven High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Mississippi state average of 13:1.
What grades does Southaven High School offer ?
Southaven High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Southaven High School part of?
Southaven High School is part of Desoto Co School District.
In what neighborhood is Southaven High School located?
Southaven High School is located in the West End neighborhood of Southaven, MS. There are 4 other public schools located in West End.
School Reviews
Review Southaven High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.