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Historical Perspective
The Hancock school district
dates back to 1863 but because of a fire in 1869,
records about this period are sketchy. The first school
was a typical one-room structure furnished with hard
wooden benches and heated by a round shaped wood stove.
In 1869, a union school was
constructed on Franklin Street. The building was used
until replaced in 1875. This building was destroyed by
fire on July 25, 1922, and was succeeded by the present
building currently owned by Finlandia University and
formerly the Hancock Middle School, which was built in
1923.
Three additional school
buildings were utilized during much of the 1900's;
Edward Ryan, E.L. Wright and the Ripley School. Condon
Field was dedicated in 1952, and the district's bus
garage was acquired from the City of Hancock in 1963.
Seventeen acres of land located east of Elevation Street
was acquired from the Quincy Mining Co. as a grant in
1970. In 1988, the Hancock voters passed a 7.46 mil bond
issue to build a $5,750,000.00 elementary school. In
1989 the building was opened for use.
In 1996, again the Hancock
voters passed a bond issue to build a new High School
building at the top of Quincy Hill. The new facility was
occupied in April of 1999. Much of the new building's
technology equipment was purchased due to a generous
donation made by Mr. Richard Hermanson. In total, Mr.
Hermanson furnished the district with nearly half a
million dollars of technology equipment. The former
Hancock Central High School, which served grades 7-12,
was renovated to serve as a 6-8 Middle School. The new
high school designed to accommodate the eventual
addition of a separate middle school wing.
In May 2008, after 12 years
utilizing the remodeled downtown building, yet another
bond issue was passed by the voters. The new wing, built
on to the existing high school was completed in December
2009 and the middle school students began instruction
there in January 2010. The wing holds middle school
classrooms, a gymnasium, administrative offices and a
district auditorium. In addition to the middle school
wing, the bond also allowed for a new roof and flooring
at the elementary school, new carpeting in the high
school and other improvements to the district's
facilities.
Demographic Perspective
Hancock is a community nestled
on the north side of the Portage Waterway. The school
district serves about 840 students in grades K-12. The
school district is comprised of four townships
(Franklin, Quincy, Hancock and the City of Hancock).
The Hancock Public School staff
is a blend of experienced teachers and recently hired
teachers. Rapport between staff members is excellent,
and staff/administration rapport is also good.
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