The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in Science. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hancock
Hancock is a regular public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Brockton, Massachusetts, a mid-sized urban city with a dense residential and commercial fabric. The school is located on Pearl Street and is part of the Brockton Public Schools district, which has drawn state-level attention for low graduation rates and has been classified as requiring assistance or intervention. That district context may be relevant to families considering the school, though Hancock itself serves only elementary grades and does not have a graduation rate to evaluate.
The student body at Hancock is diverse. The largest groups of students are Black and Hispanic, with a smaller share of white students and even smaller shares of multiracial, Asian, and other backgrounds. The school enrolls a substantial number of students, making it a larger elementary school than many in the area. Data on the share of students from low-income households, those receiving special education services, and those classified as English learners were not available in the source material, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these supports.
Academically, Hancock’s state assessment results for the 2024–25 school year show that proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science all fell well below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Plymouth County. In fact, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects placed it in the bottom quartile among districts in that county. The trendline over the past several years shows that proficiency in both ELA and math was higher before the pandemic and has not fully recovered, with recent years hovering in the mid-teens in math and the mid-to-high teens in ELA. Science results, which come from a smaller tested grade, were similarly low. Participation rates on the assessments were complete, so the results reflect the full cohort of test-takers.
Because Hancock only goes through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. The school also lacks publicly available data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or course access, so it is not possible to assess those aspects of the school environment from the information at hand. A parent may want to inquire about school climate and student engagement directly.
Brockton itself has a distinctive character. Historically known for shoe manufacturing, the city’s economy has diversified into healthcare, education, and retail. Major employers include Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital and the headquarters of W.B. Mason. The city has dense residential neighborhoods of multi-family homes and triple-deckers, a traditional downtown grid, and three MBTA Commuter Rail stations that connect to Boston. Civic anchors include D.W. Field Park, an Olmsted-inspired green space with ponds and a golf course, and the Campanelli Stadium home of the Brockton Rox baseball team. The population has grown slightly in recent years and is notably diverse, with one of the largest Cape Verdean American communities in the country and a majority-Black population as of the 2020 census. Housing values in the area are moderate relative to the Boston region, and the rental market reflects typical pressures in a city with commuter access to the metro area.
For a family evaluating Hancock, the picture is one of an urban elementary school serving a large and diverse student body in a city with a rich history and ongoing economic development. The academic proficiency numbers are low by state and county standards, and the district is under state intervention for broader challenges. A parent may want to explore what academic interventions and enrichment opportunities the school offers, how it supports students who arrive behind grade level, and what the culture and safety conditions are like in the building. Without program or staffing data, those questions are best answered by visiting and speaking with the school leadership.
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