North Hancock principal points to rising enrollment, academic gains

As the final days of the 2025-26 school year approach, North Hancock Elementary School is closing on an upswing, with enrollment climbing alongside student performance. Principal Dr. Jacob Bryant said the school’s population increased from 465 students at the start of the year to 488, a change he views as a positive sign of momentum.

“We hope to reach 500 students again next year,” Bryant said.

The principal noted that the increase mirrors ongoing strides toward the school’s mission of supporting students and helping them reach their full potential. He described the growth as a meaningful indicator of success for both staff and students.

Bryant said Kentucky Summative Assessment scores have risen sharply under the state’s accountability measures. He also said the school’s staff working conditions survey climbed from the bottom 20% statewide to the top 90%, a clear upward shift that points to stronger staff morale and a more supportive day-to-day working environment.

“Our students are growing academically, and our staff is excited to fulfill the mission,” he said. “Our Lexia reading program paired well with our Orton-Gillingham and morphology work and continued to close reading gaps across all grade levels.”

Across the district, structured literacy support has also expanded. North Hancock teacher Kendall Maxwell and South Hancock teacher Betty Jane Mitchell recently completed rigorous training to serve as structured literacy and dyslexia interventionists under District Literacy and Dyslexia Specialist Briana Pulliam, giving students with reading challenges even more targeted support.

Their work builds on several years of districtwide training in evidence-based reading programs, including IMSE, LETRS and Orton-Gillingham. All Hancock County schools now have staff trained in these approaches, and families have taken part in free literacy classes at local libraries, contributing to nationally recognized commitment to structured literacy.

To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of independence, students at North Hancock have taken part in a range of classroom projects.

First-grade students recently completed one such project, the “Famous Americans Wax Museum,” where they portrayed historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Betsy Ross and Orville Wright. Photos from the event at NHES appeared in the April 30 edition of The Hancock Clarion.

Students and staff also gathered in front of the school for a group photo commemorating North Hancock’s 20 years in operation.

“Our entire school took a 20th anniversary picture to celebrate,” Bryant said.

Photos from the wax museum event and the group photo will be submitted for inclusion in a time capsule. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday this year, the community will gather at Vastwood Park, near the beach house, to bury the time capsule just before the annual July 4 fireworks display.

Reflecting on the school year, Bryant said the “excitement and empowerment” of faculty and staff stands out most. He said that energy has been especially directed toward helping students at NHES reach their academic goals.

“Our students love coming to school at North Hancock, and we could not be more thankful for a school community that is invested in its school and trusts the teachers to give their very best,” Bryant said. “There is nothing more rewarding than the work that is done by our faculty, staff and students each of the 168 days we attend NHES.”

For North Hancock’s fifth graders, the end of the year represents more than just summer break, as they prepare to take the next step at Hancock County Middle School. The Hancock Clarion staff wishes all graduating fifth graders a wonderful summer break and an excellent start to middle school this fall.