For the 2025 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, Bay High School and Hancock North Central Elementary 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 57% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Hancock County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public school average of 58% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Hancock County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
East Hancock Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4221 Kiln Delisle Rd.
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 255-6637
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 255-6637
Grades: PK-5
| 635 students
Rank: #22.
Bay High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
750 Blue Meadow Road
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-6611
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-6611
Grades: 9-12
| 499 students
Rank: #33.
Hancock North Central Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 418 students
Rank: #44.
Hancock High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7084 Stennis Airport Drive
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 467-2251
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 467-2251
Grades: 9-12
| 1,189 students
Rank: #55.
North Bay Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
602 Pine St.
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4052
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4052
Grades: 2-5
| 476 students
Rank: #66.
Hancock Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7070 Stennis Airport Drive
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 467-1889
Kiln, MS 39556
(228) 467-1889
Grades: 6-8
| 912 students
Rank: #77.
South Hancock Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6590 Lakeshore Road
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4655
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4655
Grades: PK-5
| 494 students
Rank: #88.
Bay Waveland Middle School
(Math: 46% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 374 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1101 St Joseph Street
Waveland, MS 39576
(228) 467-6630
Waveland, MS 39576
(228) 467-6630
Grades: PK-1
| 329 students
Hancock County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
6098 1st Avenue
Pearlington, MS 39572
(228) 533-7872
Pearlington, MS 39572
(228) 533-7872
Grades: K-5
| 100 students
105 Tiffany St
Waveland, MS 39576
(228) 466-4175
Waveland, MS 39576
(228) 466-4175
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
400 North Second St
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4052
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4052
Grades: 3-4
| n/a students
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, Bay High School and Hancock North Central Elementary 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 58% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Hancock County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Hancock County include: Hancock High School vs. Bay High School, Bay High School vs. Hancock High School, Bay Waveland Middle School vs. Hancock Middle School
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