Southern Hancock Co Com Sch Corp, IN

Original Research by School Decision on Southern Hancock Co Com Sch Corp

Southern Hancock County Community School Corporation is a public school district that serves children from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in a largely rural and suburban portion of Hancock County, Indiana. The district operates six schools: Sugar Creek Elementary, Brandywine Elementary, New Palestine Elementary, New Palestine Intermediate, New Palestine Junior High, and New Palestine High School. The majority of families in the district reside in and around New Palestine, with smaller shares in Fountaintown, Greenfield, Morristown, and the eastern edge of Indianapolis.

The student body is overwhelmingly white, which is a straightforward characteristic of the community the district draws from. Enrollment numbers are consistent across the elementary through high school years, suggesting that families tend to stay in the district rather than leave for other options. The district does not publicly report the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, so a key measure of economic need is not available from the data provided. This is a gap a parent may want to investigate directly with the district.

Academically, the district posts results that place it in the top quartile among the four school districts in Hancock County when looking at overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. Roughly half or more of students scored at the proficient or above level on the state's ILEARN assessments in math, English language arts, and science. Social studies proficiency was a bit lower. These are solid results for the county, though they also mean that a notable share of students are not reaching the proficient bar, so a family with a child who needs strong academic support may want to ask about intervention programs.

The district's per-pupil spending falls in the lower range among county districts, which is a fact worth noting but not necessarily a verdict. Lower spending can reflect efficiencies, a lower-cost labor market, or choices about what to fund. Chronic absenteeism, a measure of how many students miss a significant amount of school, is in the top quartile statewide, meaning the district has less of a chronic absenteeism problem than many peers, which is an encouraging sign for school climate and student engagement.

A graduation rate was not available in the data for this district, so that important measure cannot be characterized here.

Housing in the district area is moderately priced compared to national medians. A weighted view across the district's ZIP codes shows home values in the upper part of the middle range nationally, with most of the inventory concentrated in New Palestine and Greenfield. Rents are relatively modest and affordable relative to typical household income. The district sits in a county where the unemployment rate is low by national standards.

No recent, parent-relevant district changes were found in publicly available sources. The research turned up general fiscal and profile information but no specific referendums, curriculum shifts, property tax changes, or construction bonds that would alter the day-to-day experience for families. If something is in the works, it is not yet a matter of public record.

This district presents as a straightforward, academically solid option in a growing suburban corridor east of Indianapolis. The student population is not especially diverse, and the district does not share certain demographic data that some families look for. For a family buying a home in a Hancock County community and wanting a school system that performs above the county average on state tests, it is a realistic and competitive choice. Families who want a fuller picture of student supports or special education services will need to call the district directly, since that information was not available in the data reviewed here.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

3,906

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 4%

Black 2%

White 89%

Asian 1%

Two+ 3%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

39%

69%

Gr 4

38%

61%

Gr 5

32%

56%

Gr 6

41%

56%

Gr 7

31%

46%

Gr 8

32%

54%

Math

Gr 3

55%

78%

Gr 4

54%

66%

Gr 5

40%

60%

Gr 6

42%

62%

Gr 7

31%

51%

Gr 8

25%

51%

Science

Gr 4

29%

57%

Gr 6

46%

57%

Social studies

Gr 5

33%

55%

Schools in this District

6 schools are officially reported under this district.

Sugar Creek Elementary Sch

Brandywine Elementary School

New Palestine Jr High School

New Palestine Elementary School

New Palestine High School

New Palestine Intermediate School

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

56%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

51%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

52%

Grades 3-8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

48%

Grade 5

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$332,575

Year-over-year change+2.0%

Range across 6 ZIP codes$220K to $382K

vs. state typical1.30x

vs. national typical0.90x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (6 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
46140	Greenfield	$294K	+2.0%	48.8%
46163	New Palestine	$382K	+2.0%	42.8%
46130	Fountaintown	$319K	+1.6%	6.7%
46229	Indianapolis	$220K	-1.2%	1.0%
46161	Morristown	$269K	+2.9%	0.4%
46239	Indianapolis	$295K	+1.1%	0.4%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,615/mo

Year-over-year change+1.9%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$1,607 to $1,945/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
46140	Greenfield	$1,613	+1.8%	48.8%
46229	Indianapolis	$1,607	+2.9%	1.0%
46239	Indianapolis	$1,945	+6.9%	0.4%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,678/mo

Home price / national median income4.0x

Annual rent / national median income23.1%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$63/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$256,584 (+3.0% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.