Summary:
Hancock Public Schools is home to one elementary school, Barkell Elementary School, which serves grades kindergarten through 5th grade with 257 students in Hancock, MI.
Barkell Elementary School shows exceptional strength in the early grades, particularly in 3rd grade. In the 2025-2026 school year, 67.4% of 3rd graders were proficient in math compared to the state average of 42.9%, and 65.2% were proficient in English Language Arts versus the state’s 38.2%. The school also saw a notable 4th-grade math turnaround, jumping from 50% to 60% proficiency between school years while the state stayed flat at 39.4%. However, performance declines by 5th grade—math proficiency drops to 35.1% (still above the state’s 32.2%), and science falls to 37.8%, slightly below the state average of 40.0%. Social studies in 5th grade (29.7%) barely edges out the state (27.5%). This pattern suggests strong early intervention but a struggle to maintain momentum as content becomes more complex.
Attendance is a clear bright spot: chronic absenteeism is just 11.9%, far better than the state’s 27.9%, which likely supports consistent learning. The school also benefits from a favorable 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $14,293, both of which are strong compared to typical Michigan schools. About 42% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, indicating moderate economic diversity. The district overall holds a 4-star rating and ranks 185th out of 625 Michigan districts (70th percentile). For parents, this means Barkell Elementary School provides an excellent foundation in reading and math for younger students, with outstanding attendance and resources—but the upper-grade dip in science and math suggests families should watch for additional support needs as children approach 5th grade.
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