Hancock County Schools & Education
Hancock County, Mississippi
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
31/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
89.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,998
National avg $13,239
State avg $5,954
School Score
31/100
Higher = better
State avg 27/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#26
of 81 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Hancock County
School Verdict
Hancock County faces educational challenges with a school score of 31/100 and a graduation rate of 89.9%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,998 per pupil, Hancock County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Hancock County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 16% above the Mississippi average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Hancock County, Mississippi
Strong Educational Framework on the Coast
Hancock County provides a robust school system for 5,732 students across 11 public schools. The infrastructure is well-distributed with 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools serving the coastal community.
Outperforming State Standards
Hancock County achieves an 89.9% graduation rate, surpassing both the state average of 87.1% and the national average. The county spends $5,998 per pupil, slightly above the state average, resulting in a strong school score of 51.3.
Two Districts Serving the County
The Hancock County School District is the larger of the two, serving 4,060 students, while the Bay St. Louis Waveland School District serves 1,672 students. Neither district includes charter schools, focusing instead on high-performing traditional public education.
A Mix of Rural and Suburban Spaces
The county features a blend of 7 rural schools and 4 suburban schools, creating diverse campus vibes. Schools average 573 students, with Hancock High School being the largest at 1,187 students.
Invest in a High-Achieving Coastal Community
With graduation rates nearly hitting 90%, Hancock County is a smart choice for families seeking educational quality. Look for homes near the Bay St. Louis or Hancock County districts to secure a place in this thriving system.
School Overview
Total Schools
11
in Hancock County
Total Enrollment
5,732
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Hancock County
HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST
BAY ST LOUIS WAVELAND SCHOOL DIST
11 Public Schools in Hancock County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL | HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 1,187 |
| HANCOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL | HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST | 6–8 | Middle | 958 |
| EAST HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 639 |
| SOUTH HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 535 |
| BAY HIGH SCHOOL | BAY ST LOUIS WAVELAND SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 491 |
| WAVELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BAY ST LOUIS WAVELAND SCHOOL DIST | PK–2 | Primary | 425 |
| HANCOCK NORTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY | HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 400 |
| Bay Waveland Middle School | BAY ST LOUIS WAVELAND SCHOOL DIST | 6–8 | Middle | 392 |
| NORTH BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BAY ST LOUIS WAVELAND SCHOOL DIST | 3–5 | Primary | 364 |
| WEST HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 341 |
| HANCOCK COUNTY CAREER TECHNICAL CEN | HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,998
State avg $5,954
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Hancock County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Hancock County?
How much does Hancock County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Hancock County, Mississippi — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Hancock County, Mississippi?
Hancock County provides a robust school system for 5,732 students across 11 public schools. The infrastructure is well-distributed with 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools serving the coastal community.
How do schools in Hancock County perform academically?
Hancock County achieves an 89.9% graduation rate, surpassing both the state average of 87.1% and the national average. The county spends $5,998 per pupil, slightly above the state average, resulting in a strong school score of 51.3.
What are the major school districts in Hancock County, Mississippi?
The Hancock County School District is the larger of the two, serving 4,060 students, while the Bay St. Louis Waveland School District serves 1,672 students. Neither district includes charter schools, focusing instead on high-performing traditional public education.
What is the school experience like in Hancock County?
The county features a blend of 7 rural schools and 4 suburban schools, creating diverse campus vibes. Schools average 573 students, with Hancock High School being the largest at 1,187 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Hancock County, Mississippi?
With graduation rates nearly hitting 90%, Hancock County is a smart choice for families seeking educational quality. Look for homes near the Bay St. Louis or Hancock County districts to secure a place in this thriving system.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.