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Excellent

#142 of 863 schools in MS

Top 16% 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

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#142 of 863

In Picayune

#1 of 10

public schools

In district

#3 of 6

HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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West Hancock Elementary School

8.0/10

Elementary School in Picayune · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hancock North Central Elementary

8.5/10

4.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Union Baptist Academy

5.4/10

5.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About West Hancock Elementary School

West Hancock Elementary School is a public elementary school in Picayune, MS, part of HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST. West Hancock Elementary School serves approximately 363 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. West Hancock Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #142 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for West Hancock Elementary School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.9
  • MS avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

West Hancock Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.3% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.5% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg+9.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.7 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,907
Chronic Absenteeism29.8%

West Hancock Elementary School — Students at West Hancock Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.9% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 47.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 35 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
67%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
48%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
51%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
63.3%
ELA
57.5%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How West Hancock Elementary School Compares

See how West Hancock Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
84th percentile in MS
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.5/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Kiln), which scores slightly higher. Another option is EAST HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Kiln), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 11.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 8.5
UNION BAPTIST ACADEMY Picayune 5.0 mi 5.4
UNION BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Picayune 5.0 mi
EAST HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kiln 10.2 mi 8.2
HANCOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL Kiln 10.7 mi 4.9
HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL Kiln 10.7 mi 5.6
ROSELAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 9.6 mi 5.0
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Picayune 10.3 mi 5.2
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Carriere 11.3 mi 6.1
PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 10.7 mi 5.9
PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 10.7 mi 4.8
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Carriere 11.4 mi 4.5
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Picayune 10.9 mi 7.5
WEST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 10.9 mi 5.3
EARLY HEAD START NICHOLSON Picayune 11.2 mi 5.2
SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 11.2 mi 7.6
NICHOLSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 11.3 mi 6.3
SOUTH SIDE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 11.3 mi 5.3
EARLY HEAD START ROSA STREET Picayune 11.4 mi 5.2
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL ELEMENTAR Carriere 12.8 mi 3.4

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
JIMMIE M. GOODLOE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Canton, MS 8.0
SAUCIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saucier, MS 8.0
BATESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Batesville, MS 7.9
BAY SPRINGS ELEM SCH Bay Springs, MS 8.1
EAST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point, MS 7.9
GRACE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg, 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 ranks #142 of 863 schools in MS.

What is West Hancock Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Hancock Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at West Hancock Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Hancock Elementary School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.8%

District

HANCOCK CO SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
4,011
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,907
District Rank
#3 of 6

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