The top reported proficiency rate is 61% in English language arts. The lowest is 37% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cory-rawson High School
Cory-Rawson High School is a small, rural consolidated school serving grades seven through twelve in a tight-knit farming community in southwestern Hancock County. The school draws students from two villages, Rawson and Mount Cory, and operates from a campus removed from either town center. This is a school shaped by its setting: economically stressed, academically mixed, and serving a population that has remained essentially flat for decades rather than growing.
The student body is small, with modest enrollment spread across six grades. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting real economic hardship in the communities the school serves. The student population is predominantly white, with smaller numbers of Black and Hispanic students and a very small Asian enrollment; data on special education and English learner populations was not available. This composition and poverty rate place Cory-Rawson among the most economically challenged schools in Hancock County.
Academic performance across recent state tests shows a school with real uneven ground. In English language arts, proficiency sits at a middle level; in social studies, performance is stronger. Mathematics proficiency is notably lower, less than half the students meeting state standards. Science proficiency is the weakest area, with substantially fewer students demonstrating mastery. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among Hancock County districts. Trend data covering only the current school year does not reveal whether these patterns are shifting. A parent may want to look into further with the school whether it has targeted interventions in math and science, and what gains, if any, the school has seen in prior years.
On the positive side, the district has recently expanded STEM learning opportunities. Beginning in 2025–2026, Cory-Rawson High School added three Project Lead the Way courses, bringing hands-on engineering and applied-science pathways to a small rural district. This is the kind of curriculum addition that many families seek when evaluating rural schools, especially if a student leans toward technical or engineering fields. The school also earned Purple Star School designation in 2025, recognizing formal supports for military-connected families, including a military family liaison and dedicated resources on the district website—a meaningful advantage for any military family considering relocation.
The district itself is financially sound. In December 2024, it received a Moody's bond rating upgrade and refinanced school construction debt, generating substantial interest savings that will reduce property tax burden for homeowners over multiple years. This speaks to stable, competent financial management and is a concrete benefit for families weighing housing costs.
Graduation rate data was not available. Information on course breadth, AP offerings, dual-credit pathways, or career and technical education programs beyond the new PLTW courses was not provided, so a parent would need to explore the school website or contact the district directly to understand the full range of high school options, particularly for students planning college or career-technical training.
The setting itself is rural and stable. Rawson is a very small village with no urban amenities, limited commercial life, and virtually no growth. Housing in the area is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks. For families drawn to or comfortable in a small, quiet farming community, this school represents continuity and deep local roots. For those seeking urban or suburban services, diverse peer networks, or rapid growth, this is decidedly not the fit.
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