High Schools in Hancock County

Hancock County has two high schools: Hancock County High School, serving grades 9–12 with 461 students, and Hancock County Alternative Program, serving grades 6–12 with 16 students. The clearest test-score finding is that Hancock County High School was above Kentucky in four of six reported subjects in 2025–2026; the Alternative Program’s test results are suppressed, so its achievement cannot be ranked against the high school or state.

Hancock County High School stands out most in writing and math: proficiency was 62% versus 47% statewide in 11th-grade writing, a 15-point advantage, and 54% versus 40% in 10th-grade math, a 14-point advantage. It was also 3 points above the state in reading and 4 points above in editing and mechanics, but 2 points below in both science and social studies. Its graduation rate was about 97%, compared with 94% statewide and 96% in the Hancock County district; its dropout rate was about 0%, versus 1% statewide. The available data do not establish whether the Alternative Program’s test outcomes are stronger or weaker.

Recent results are mixed: from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026, math at Hancock County High School fell 6 points, reading rose 2, science and editing and mechanics were unchanged, and writing and social studies each slipped 1 point. Its unweighted average advantage over the state narrowed from 7 points to 5. SchoolDigger’s ranking also moved from 41st of 290 schools (86th percentile) in 2023–2024 to 84th of 262 (68th percentile) in 2025–2026. Attendance is a concern: chronic absenteeism was 27% at the high school and 33% at the Alternative Program, versus 24% statewide. In 2024–2025, the high school had a 14.8 student-teacher ratio and 42% free/reduced lunch eligibility; the Alternative Program’s figures were 8.0 and 69%, respectively.