Southaven Schools are part of a county school system that is recognized for its academic accomplishments and innovative teaching initiatives. The DeSoto County School District provides a diverse academic curriculum, as well as opportunities to explore the arts. Every classroom is equipped with computers and internet accessibility, as well as opportunities for distance learning and one of the best technical preparatory programs in the state of Mississippi. The district has the largest gifted education population in the state, and the Gifted Instructional Management System offers and differentiated curriculum in five broad instructional areas. Computers in the Classroom, a recent state-wide initiative, has placed a computer (with internet access) in all classrooms at all grade levels. Mississippi was the first state in the nation to have computers in all classrooms.

(K3-12) campus consists of a $7.5 million facility resting on 61 acres in DeSoto County. SBEC is fully-accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. With over 1,100 students (K3-12), the student-faculty ratio is 14:1. The faculty average 14 years of teaching experience with more than one-third of the staff holding masters degrees. Upon graduation, 98% of SBEC graduates pursue a college or university degree program. The Class of 2001 had an average ACT score of 23.44 with a top quartile average of 27.42. Since 1995, SBEC has produced six National Merit Finalists.

Sacred Heart has been in the community since 1947 when it was founded by Sacred Heart Southern Missions. Accredited by the State of Mississippi, Sacred Heart School offers an educational program with a strong academic core together with a broad offering of enrichment classes. The pre-kindergarten program offers an academic readiness program. In the kindergarten through eighth grade program, the academic core curriculum is enhanced by instruction in physical education, music, computer science, and art. Spanish instruction begins in the first grade. Technology is becoming increasingly integrated into the students' academic experiences at Sacred Heart through instruction, improved access and inclusion in classroom activities. Extracurricular offerings include opportunities for students to participate in the band, chess club and athletics including cross-country, volleyball, basketball and cheerleading.

Northwest Mississippi Community College and the University of Mississippi share a $7.3 million facility called the DeSoto Center. Together they offer a variety of multi-faceted programs designed to meet the needs of every student. The present 94,000 sq. ft. structure on a 36-acre site includes 28 classrooms, five computer labs, two science labs, one practical nursing lab, a library, bookstore and 39 offices. Growth has brought about plans for a $7.5 million expansion.

Northwest Mississippi Community College, accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, offers students seeking an associate's degree a diversified selection of 13 programs ranging from Accountancy and Business Administration to Pre-Law and English. Vocational and technical programs prepare students for careers now and in the future. Northwest also offers the Adult Structured Accelerated Program (ASAP), an accelerated Associate Degree program in Business Administration, Elementary Education or general college. Through the ASAP program, adult learners may complete their Associate Degree requirements in as little as two years by attending classes two nights a week and on weekends.

The University of Mississippi and Northwest have formed an educational partnership on the campus. With the new Two-Plus-Two program, students have the opportunity to complete their first two years of college through the Northwest program and then complete requirements for a variety of bachelor's degrees through the University of Mississippi program. The degree is a multidisciplinary degree tailored to meet the specific needs of every student. Students can also complete requirements for a master's degree in education at the DeSoto Center and for a master's degree in the programs new three-year business administration program.