Hancock County Schools show strong performance in 2025 state assessment, board approves key agreements
By Jennifer Wimmer
The Hancock County Board of Education met Thursday, Nov. 20. Assistant Superintendent Robin Poynter presented the 2025 Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) Accountability report for Hancock County Schools.
Poynter highlighted the district’s Hornet Success Pillars, noting that Hancock County High School ranks in the top 20 percent statewide, with a graduation rate of 94.7 percent. Students earned a total of 1,849 college and vocational hours.
Proficiency scores show Hancock County High School’s reading at 78 percent and math at 74 percent. Hancock County Middle School’s reading score is 63 percent, with 72 percent in math. North and South Hancock Elementary schools both scored 89 percent in reading and 73 percent in math.
The district’s attendance rate stands at 94 percent. Internships and service-learning opportunities are at 63 percent, while postsecondary readiness reaches 99.8 percent.
In student wellness, high school involvement opportunities measure 52 percent. Safe School Audits, mental health services, health care provider access, and School Resource Officer access each rate 100 percent.
In statewide rankings for 2024-25, Hancock County High School ranks in the top 15 percent in reading and math in the district, placing 24th out of 167 districts. It ranks 31st overall out of 167 districts.
Proficiency scores show Hancock County High School’s reading at 78 percent and math at 74 percent. Hancock County Middle School’s reading score is 63 percent, with 72 percent in math. North and South Hancock Elementary schools both scored 89 percent in reading and 73 percent in math.
The district’s attendance rate stands at 94 percent. Internships and service-learning opportunities are at 63 percent, while postsecondary readiness reaches 99.8 percent.
In student wellness, high school involvement opportunities measure 52 percent. Safe School Audits, mental health services, health care provider access, and School Resource Officer access each rate 100 percent.
In statewide rankings for 2024-25, Hancock County High School ranks in the top 15 percent in reading and math in the district, placing 24th out of 167 districts. It ranks 31st overall out of 167 districts.
North Hancock Elementary and South Hancock Elementary rank in the top 20 percent in the district and 35th statewide out of 171 districts. The elementary district ranks in the top 30 percent in reading, math, science, social studies and writing.
Statewide among Kentucky schools, Hancock County High School ranks in the top 10 percent in math (20th of 228), top 15 percent in combined writing (40th of 228), and top 35 percent in reading (77th of 228). Hancock County Middle School ranks in the top 35 percent in science (101 of 318). North Hancock Elementary ranks in the top 25 percent in science (146 of 673) and top 30 percent in combined writing (192 of 673). South Hancock Elementary ranks in the top 25 percent in social studies (155 of 673) and top 37 percent in science (248 of 673).
The Kentucky Department of Education uses color-coded status ratings: blue for very high, green for high, yellow for medium, and orange for low performance. Hancock County High School, North Hancock Elementary and South Hancock Elementary received green ratings. Hancock County Middle School received a yellow rating due to its Targeted Support and Improvement designation, meaning it has one or more underperforming student subgroups, including students with disabilities.
Hancock County High School’s overall state score is 77. HCHS earned 73.8 in reading and math, 55.1 in science, social studies and writing, and 66.2 in quality of school climate and safety. Postsecondary readiness scored very high at 99.8, while graduation was rated medium at 94.7. Hancock County Middle School scored 52.5 overall, including 56.7 in reading and math, 54.6 in science, social studies and writing, and 67.4 in school climate.
Statewide among Kentucky schools, Hancock County High School ranks in the top 10 percent in math (20th of 228), top 15 percent in combined writing (40th of 228), and top 35 percent in reading (77th of 228). Hancock County Middle School ranks in the top 35 percent in science (101 of 318). North Hancock Elementary ranks in the top 25 percent in science (146 of 673) and top 30 percent in combined writing (192 of 673). South Hancock Elementary ranks in the top 25 percent in social studies (155 of 673) and top 37 percent in science (248 of 673).
The Kentucky Department of Education uses color-coded status ratings: blue for very high, green for high, yellow for medium, and orange for low performance. Hancock County High School, North Hancock Elementary and South Hancock Elementary received green ratings. Hancock County Middle School received a yellow rating due to its Targeted Support and Improvement designation, meaning it has one or more underperforming student subgroups, including students with disabilities.
Hancock County High School’s overall state score is 77. HCHS earned 73.8 in reading and math, 55.1 in science, social studies and writing, and 66.2 in quality of school climate and safety. Postsecondary readiness scored very high at 99.8, while graduation was rated medium at 94.7. Hancock County Middle School scored 52.5 overall, including 56.7 in reading and math, 54.6 in science, social studies and writing, and 67.4 in school climate.
North Hancock Elementary scored 78.7 overall, with 69.6 in reading and math, and 67.4 in science, social studies and writing. South Hancock Elementary scored 73.7 overall, with 70.3 in reading and math, 70.5 in science, social studies and writing, and 80.8 in quality of school climate and safety.
Kentucky’s accountability system uses a combination of current performance and year-over-year change across multiple indicators, including proficiency, graduation and school climate, to determine each school’s rating. This means raw percentages like graduation rates may not always align directly with their color-coded performance ratings, which consider student growth, subgroup outcomes and other measures.
Athletic training agreement
The board approved the agreement with Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, a standard agreement between a medical provider and the Hancock County Schools athletic department. The schools will receive a $2,500 sponsorship from the hospital, which will be used for athletic medical supplies. Owensboro Health will provide a full-time trainer to the schools for all sports and all seasons, 40 hours per week, at no cost to the district.
HCMS construction
The board also approved the BG-3 preliminary, a statement of probable cost for the total construction of the new Hancock County Middle School project.
Go Fan contract
The contract with Go Fan was approved by the board as well. Go Fan is a company that provides the ability to purchase athletic tickets online and on-site for athletic events.
Calendar committee
The board nominated and approved Brooke Payne as the board member representative for the 2026-27 calendar committee.
Farming lease agreement
The farming lease agreement was approved by the board, as is done each year, with David Winchell.
Treasurer’s report
Chief Financial Officer Trey Anderson’s report reflected a balance on hand at the beginning of the month of $3,260,475.04. The total received for the month was $676,640.53. Total expenditures were $1,165,728.06. The balance at the close of the month was $2,830,373.38.
