Excellent
#53 of 862 schools in MS
Top 6% in state
West Hancock Elementary School
Elementary School · HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST
23350 Highway 43, Picayune, MS 39466
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Picayune
#1 of 10
public schools
Mississippi elementary schools
#35 of 436
In district
#2 of 6
HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About West Hancock Elementary School
West Hancock Elementary School is a public elementary school in Picayune, MS, part of the HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST. The school serves approximately 363 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 94th percentile among MS schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 56% proficiency in math, 2 points above the state average and 58% in reading/language arts, 2 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,926, where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Hancock Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
West Hancock Elementary School — Students at West Hancock Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from MS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.
How West Hancock Elementary School Compares
See how West Hancock Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
23350 Highway 43, Picayune, MS 39466
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Hancock Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HANCOCK NORTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Kiln), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 10.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, EAST HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Kiln), a more accessible option. For more schools in Picayune, see our Picayune schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HANCOCK NORTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Kiln | 4.1 mi | 8.3 |
| UNION BAPTIST ACADEMY Picayune | 5.0 mi | 5.4 |
| UNION BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Picayune | 5.0 mi | — |
| EAST HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kiln | 10.2 mi | 7.1 |
| HANCOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL Kiln | 10.7 mi | 5.2 |
| HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL Kiln | 10.7 mi | 6.7 |
| ROSELAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune | 9.6 mi | 6.3 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Picayune | 10.3 mi | 5.2 |
| PEARL RIVER CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Carriere | 11.3 mi | 5.5 |
| PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Picayune | 10.7 mi | 4.3 |
| PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Picayune | 10.7 mi | 5.5 |
| PEARL RIVER CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Carriere | 11.4 mi | 4.8 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Picayune | 10.9 mi | 7.5 |
| WEST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune | 10.9 mi | 5.9 |
| EARLY HEAD START NICHOLSON Picayune | 11.2 mi | 7.8 |
| SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune | 11.2 mi | 6.7 |
| NICHOLSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune | 11.3 mi | 6.0 |
| SOUTH SIDE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune | 11.3 mi | 5.1 |
| EARLY HEAD START ROSA STREET Picayune | 11.4 mi | 7.8 |
| PEARL RIVER CENTRAL ELEMENTAR Carriere | 12.8 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 39466 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,926
Median Home Value
$161,400
Median Rent
$907/mo
Population
28,292
College Educated
11.9%
Homeownership
75.8%
Avg Commute
33.7 min
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Hancock Elementary School has a median household income of $50,926. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,400, with a median rent of $907/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| COFFEEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Coffeeville, MS | 8.2 |
| EUPORA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eupora, MS | 8.2 |
| HAWKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg, MS | 8.2 |
| KEMPER COUNTY LOWER ELEMENTARY Scooba, MS | 8.2 |
| Conehatta Elementary School Conehatta, MS | 8.1 |
| EAST WEBSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mathiston, MS | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Hancock Elementary School
What grades does West Hancock Elementary School serve?
West Hancock Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend West Hancock Elementary School?
West Hancock Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 363 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Hancock Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Hancock Elementary School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Hancock Elementary School rank in MS?
West Hancock Elementary School is ranked #53 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is West Hancock Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Hancock Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at West Hancock Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Hancock Elementary School has 56.4% math proficiency and 58.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Hancock Elementary School a charter school?
No, West Hancock Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Hancock Elementary School a Title I school?
No, West Hancock Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Hancock Elementary School?
62.8% of students at West Hancock Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Picayune). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 363
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Hancock County
- Phone
- (228) 586-6054
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST- District Enrollment
- 4,011
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,907
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.