For the 2026-27 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 5,326 students in Hancock County, MS (there are 4 private schools, serving 904 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Hancock County, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%). Hancock County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Mississippi.
The top-ranked public schools in Hancock County, MS are East Hancock Elementary School, Hancock North Central School and Hancock High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Hancock County, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Hancock County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public school average of 59% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Hancock County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
East Hancock Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4221 Kiln Delisle Rd.
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 255-8372
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 255-8372
Gr: PK-5 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Hancock North Central School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6122 Cuevas Town Road
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 255-7641
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 255-7641
Gr: PK-5 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Hancock High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7084 Stennis Airport Drive
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 467-2251
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 467-2251
Gr: 9-13 | 1,183 students Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Bay High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
750 Blue Meadow Road
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-6611
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-6611
Gr: 9-12 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #55.
North Bay Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
602 Pine St.
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4052
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4052
Gr: 3-6 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #66.
Bay Waveland Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
600 Pine St.
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 463-0315
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 463-0315
Gr: 6-8 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
Hancock Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7070 Stennis Airport Drive
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 467-1889
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 467-1889
Gr: 6-8 | 884 students Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #88.
South Hancock Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
6590 Lakeshore Road
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4655
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4655
Gr: PK-5 | 480 students Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
Hancock County Career Technical Cen
Vocational School
7180 Airport Road
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 467-3568
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 467-3568
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
1101 St Joseph Street
Waveland, MS 39576
(228) 467-6630
Waveland, MS 39576
(228) 467-6630
Gr: PK-2 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Hancock County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
6098 1st Avenue
Pearlington, MS 39572
(228) 533-7872
Pearlington, MS 39572
(228) 533-7872
Gr: K-5 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
400 North Second St
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4052
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4052
Gr: 3-4
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Hancock County, MS?
The top-ranked public schools in Hancock County, MS include East Hancock Elementary School, Hancock North Central School and Hancock High School. Hancock County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Mississippi.
How many public schools are located in Hancock County?
10 public schools are located in Hancock County.
What percentage of students in Hancock County go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Hancock County are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Hancock County?
Hancock County public schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public schools average of 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Hancock County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Hancock County include: Bay High School vs. Hancock High School, Hancock High School vs. Bay High School, Bay Waveland Middle School vs. Hancock Middle School
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