Southaven Elementary School
General Information
About
Southaven Elementary School is a public school serving students in grades Pre‑Kindergarten through 5th grade. Located in Southaven, Mississippi, it is part of the DeSoto County School District. With a relatively small student-to-teacher ratio of around 12:1, the school aims to foster a supportive learning environment where teachers can give more individual attention. The school provides core academic instruction as well as gifted and talented programming, striving to meet a variety of student needs while preparing young learners for later academic stages. Despite facing challenges on state assessments, Southaven Elementary remains committed to closing achievement gaps through diverse programming, targeted interventions, and community engagement.
Contact Information
Address: 8274 Claiborne Drive, Southaven, Mississippi, 38671
Phone Number: (662) 342‑2289
Email Address: The publicly listed main contact is via the DeSoto County School District; specific school‑level email addresses are not broadly published.
School Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| School Type | Public Elementary School |
| Grades | Pre-K through 5 |
| Enrollment | ~ 666 students |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~ 12:1 |
| District | DeSoto County School District |
| Per‑Student Spending | Approx. US$7,984 per child |
| Title I Status | School‑wide Title I |
Southaven Elementary School Rankings
| Scope | Ranking / Status |
|---|---|
| State (Mississippi) | Ranked ~ #558 out of ~ 795 schools, placing it in the bottom 50% based on combined math and reading proficiency. |
| Local / District | Among elementary schools in the DeSoto County School District, it is one of the lower-performing on statewide assessments. |
Southaven Elementary School Academics
Faculties / Departments
Because Southaven Elementary School is an elementary school, it does not have “faculties” in the same way as a university. However, its academic structure can be described by the following instructional areas:
- Early Childhood / Pre-K Education
- Elementary Literacy / Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies / History
- Gifted & Talented Program
- Enrichment (Art, Music, Physical Education)
- Support Services (Intervention, Special Education)
Courses and Programs / Majors
As an elementary school, Southaven Elementary offers foundational courses rather than majors; key programs include:
- Pre-Kindergarten readiness curriculum
- Core Language Arts / Literacy (reading, writing)
- Mathematics (grade-appropriate numeracy)
- Science exploratory units (life science, physical science)
- Social Studies (community, history, geography)
- Gifted & Talented enrichment
- Fine Arts (art, music)
- Physical Education (PE)
- Remediation / Intervention support (reading and math)
Online Learning
Southaven Elementary School does not appear to operate a fully virtual or blended online learning program for all students. Its traditional model is in-person, and publicly available sources do not mention an established online school track.
Average Test Scores
Here is a snapshot of recent proficiency on state assessments (or comparable testing):
| Subject | % of Students Proficient (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Math | ~ 35% |
| Reading / Language Arts | ~ 33% |
| Science | ~ 50–54% in science proficiency (per some sources) |
Retention and Graduation Rates
As an elementary school serving grades PreK–5, Southaven Elementary is not measured in terms of “graduation rate” in the same way secondary schools are. Retention (how many students stay year-to-year) is not prominently reported in public sources. Historically, elementary schools may focus more on promotion between grades rather than retention or graduation metrics.
Southaven Elementary School Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
Southaven Elementary, being a public elementary school, does not use GPA, SAT, or ACT for admission. Admission is generally determined by district zoning and school district enrollment policies rather than competitive academic screening.
Acceptance Rate
Not applicable — as a public school, Southaven Elementary does not have an “acceptance rate” in the traditional sense. Students are typically assigned based on residency in the district.
Application Requirements
Since Southaven Elementary is a public, zoned elementary school, families typically do not undergo a formal application process like in private schools. Parents enroll their children by registering with the DeSoto County School District, providing proof of residency, birth certificate, immunization records, and completing district enrollment paperwork. The school may also require standard school-entry health and enrollment forms, as is common in public school registration.
Application Process
- Confirm school attendance zone based on home address
- Complete district enrollment forms via DeSoto County School District
- Provide proof of residency (e.g., utility bill, lease)
- Present child’s birth certificate or other legal age proof
- Submit immunization / health records
- Attend an orientation or meet‑and‑greet, if offered by the school
Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Deadline Type | Typical Timing / Notes |
|---|---|
| New Student Enrollment | Typically aligns with the start of the school year in August (district‑defined) |
| Pre‑K Registration | Often a separate process in spring or early summer (depending on district) |
| Open Enrollment / Transfers | May be subject to district policy; parents should check DeSoto County School District for deadlines |
Essay Prompt
Not applicable — as a public elementary school, Southaven Elementary does not require essays or personal statements for admission.
Scholarships
Not applicable — public elementary schools do not charge tuition, so traditional scholarships are not relevant.
Tuition and Fees
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Public Tuition | Free (public school funded by local, state, and federal funds) |
| Fees | Typical school supply or extracurricular fees may apply (varies), but standard enrollment does not require tuition |
Student Profile and Demographics – Southaven Elementary School
Student Demographics
- Gender: Approximately 50% female / 50% male per public data.
- Age: Students range roughly from 4‑5 years old (Pre-K) through about 10‑11 years old (5th grade), as common for PK–5 schools.
- Race / Ethnicity: According to Niche data, the school’s racial composition includes ~55% Black / African American, ~21.6% White, ~14.9% multiracial, ~6.5% Hispanic, and ~1.7% Asian.
Low‑Income Students / Students with Disabilities
- Low-Income / Free Lunch: A high proportion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. According to Niche, ~81% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.
- Students with Disabilities: Specific public data on students with disabilities or special education percentages is not clearly reported in available profiles. However, as a public school, Southaven Elementary likely provides services through the district’s special education programs.
Student Body Size
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Students | ~ 666 |
| International Students | Not applicable / not reported (public neighborhood school) |
School Diversity
Southaven Elementary is noted for having a high level of racial and socioeconomic diversity. According to public data, the minority enrollment is about 78%, with a majority of students identifying as Black or African American. The school’s diversity score is reported to be fairly high, reflecting a mixed population across racial and economic lines. This diversity contributes to a rich social environment where students are exposed to a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and cultural backgrounds, which can enhance both academic and personal growth.
Average Earnings
As an elementary school, data on “average earnings” after graduation does not apply. Typically, such earnings statistics are tracked for high schools or higher education institutions, not for PK–5 schools.
Southaven Elementary School Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
Southaven Elementary employs approximately 56 classroom teachers, giving it a student-to-teacher ratio of around 12:1. This relatively low ratio suggests that class sizes may be manageable, allowing for more individualized instruction and support for students.
Faculty Profiles
Information on individual teacher qualifications (e.g., advanced degrees, awards) is not publicly detailed in the sources reviewed. However, as a public school in a well-established district, it is likely that many teachers are certified in elementary education and handle a range of subjects from core academics to enrichment. The school’s inclusion of a Gifted & Talented program suggests that there are faculty members trained to deliver advanced curricula and enrichment to students who need more challenge. The school also likely relies on support staff — such as intervention specialists, instructional aides, and possibly special education teachers — to help meet diverse student needs.
Southaven Elementary School Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
Southaven Elementary is a public neighborhood school and does not provide on-campus housing or boarding. The campus is designed for day attendance, with students arriving daily from their local homes. Campus life centers around school-based routines, classroom learning, recess, physical education, and enrichment activities. While the physical facilities are not exhaustively profiled in public sources, as a conventional elementary school it would typically include classrooms, a playground or outdoor play area, and common spaces for school-wide activities.
Transportation
Access to Southaven Elementary is likely facilitated by district-provided transportation or parent drop-off, given its role in the local public school district. Because it serves a neighborhood population, many students probably live within bus routes or walking distance. On-campus mobility for students is straightforward, with students moving between classrooms, the playground, and shared areas as part of their daily school routine.