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Hernando High School

Explore how district leaders worked with Siemens and Siemens Partner, E|K Automation to plan and design this cutting-edge school. This smart, connected school features integrated building technologies that support student success, streamline facility management and is digital-ready for the future.

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A smarter school starts here

Due to significant community growth outside Memphis, DeSoto County School District needed a new approach to support growing enrollment. The new high school now serves 1,800 students and 125 educators and has become the district's blueprint for the next generation of schools.

Enhancing comfort for teachers and students while providing real-time visibility into building performance for facilities team, Hernando High School modern learning environment helps students thrive today while preparing the district’s evolving educational needs and future growth. 

Working with Siemens and Siemens Partner, E|K Automation, district leaders decided to take a unified approach using Desigo Optic for centralized monitoring and control of its HVAC system, LED lighting, occupancy sensing with room automation and daylight harvesting.  

This smart school runs on an integrated, digital foundation with smart technology to help support the best teaching and learning environments, from occupant comfort and health, improved operational performance and energy efficiency, providing the facilities team with real-time visibility and faster response times.  

What are the benefits of a smarter school?

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Creates better student outcomes

Smart building technology helps maintain comfortable classrooms, healthy indoor air conditions and modern learning spaces that support student engagement, educator effectiveness and school pride.

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Simplifies school operations

Integrated building automation provides real-time visibility, remote access and proactive control over building systems and performance managing 215,000 square feet, reducing learning disruptions and improving overall efficiency.

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Improves overall performance

The right digital platform equips DeSoto County School District to accommodate enrollment growth, embrace emerging technologies and create a blueprint for the next generation of smart schools.

Hernando High School is different than any other school we’ve built. Because of the technology that we’ve put into it, we’re able to access it from anywhere, even from my mobile phone, which happens quite often. Any changes that happen out of the ordinary can be addressed immediately.”
Jonathan Hodges, Energy Coordinator and HVAC Supervisor, DeSoto County Schools DeSoto County, MS

Starting from the ground up

A growing student population

Located just outside Memphis, DeSoto County has quickly grown to become Mississippi's largest school district.  

School leaders needed a long-term strategy to accommodate this rapid influx of students while enhancing the overall student experience. Built to expand its capacity, Hernando High School is a scalable model that serves the community today with a vision for the future. 

I think it’s very important for students to attend a smart school. We want them to have the best technology that they possibly can. That’s the direction that everything’s moving in the workforce and industry.
Cory Uselton, Superintendent of Education, DeSoto County Schools