About Hancock Day School
Since its founding in 1953 by Mrs. Emmie Ruth Bell Hancock, Hancock Day School has been committed to providing a nurturing environment where students can develop and reach their full potential. Hancock was founded in the Judeo-Christian tradition and started with kindergarten and first grade. Mr. William Bell and Mrs. Doris Bell led the school after Mrs. Hancock’s retirement. In 2004, the Bells retired, and Hancock Day School faced the possibility of closing. Hancock's parents formed Parents and Friends of Hancock, Inc., a non-profit organization, and purchased the school to ensure its continuity. The newly formed organization purchased Hancock’s current property to provide the school with a campus and long-term home.
We believe that everyone is created in the image of God, and we expect students, parents, faculty, and staff to conduct themselves with honor, respect, and integrity consistent with the ideals of Hancock Day School’s mission statement. Though Hancock is not a faith-based institution, we take pride in our founding principles and hold one another accountable to high moral, ethical, and character standards.
We are committed to continuing Hancock’s tradition of values-based education through our explicit approach to character education. In 2019, the school earned distinction as an Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School. The school's challenging curriculum, early emphasis on reading and phonics skills, and a long-standing commitment to small classes set Hancock apart.
Mission
Hancock Day School develops the whole student by instilling values, knowledge, and skills to become an independent, self-reliant, lifelong learner with strength of character to make positive contributions in our ever-changing world.
Motto
The greatest gifts we can give our students are Roots to Grow and Wings to Fly.
The Hancock Way is evident as you walk through our halls and visit our classrooms. Orderly classroom procedures and structured curricula create a learning environment that nurtures and challenges our students. A culture of high expectations helps our students navigate their school experience confidently. Respectful, kind, and genuine relationships among community members create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The traditions started by Mrs. Hancock and Mr. and Mrs. Bell keep us grounded, and Mrs. Bell’s famous words, “Mind your manners,” can be heard throughout the school every day.
Our mission and the Hancock Way serve as touchstones that help students develop positive attitudes toward people, the environment, and learning. These attitudes permeate students’ daily experiences, and we highlight one of the virtues every month through assemblies, classroom activities, and service projects.
The Hancock Way
For more than 70 years, Hancock has provided our students with a solid educational foundation. We credit our history of success to a positive school culture and climate based on a set of virtues that support our mission. We refer to these virtues and the feelings, philosophy, and mindset they engender as “The Hancock Way.”
Hancock Day School Virtues
| Virtue | Hancock Way |
| Kindness | Be kind |
| Respect & Responsibility | Be trustworthy |
| Community | Be helpful |
| Commitment | Be determined |
| Empathy | Be understanding |
| Courage | Be fearless |
| Curiosity | Be inquisitive |
| Appreciation | Be grateful |
Accreditation
Hancock is the only non-sectarian, PK-8th grade independent school in Greater Savannah. We are proud of our school and long-standing membership as an accredited member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).
Hancock Day School is a proud member of:
The Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Its mission is to strengthen member schools by providing high-quality accreditation processes, comprehensive professional growth opportunities, and visionary leadership development programs. SAIS is a membership organization of over 375 independent K-12 schools representing over 200,000 students.
Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) is a non-profit association of private, independent, and parochial schools throughout the state. The mission of GISA is to advance excellence and collaboration among Georgia’s independent schools by serving the professional growth, advocacy, and interscholastic needs of member schools.
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) has over 1,700 schools worldwide, and over 569,000 students attend NAIS member schools. NAIS provides a wealth of information to independent schools through well-documented research and professional development on best practices and cutting-edge instructional strategies.
Board of Trustees
Hancock Day School’s Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that our mission remains relevant and vital to the community served by Hancock. The board is also responsible for promoting the school’s vision and values. The Board is accountable for the financial stability and sustainability of Hancock and sets the school’s policies and strategic direction.
Hancock Day School appreciates the Board’s service and leadership. Their focus on the school’s long-term prospects ensures that Hancock will continue to deliver its mission for the next generation of Eagles.
Board Members
John Manly, Chairman
Travis Thomas, Vice Chairman
Carolyn McIntosh, Treasurer
Heather Lundy, Secretary
Courtney Davidson
Brent Goodman
Rachel Hasselle
Martina Kolovich
Brent McCullough
Mitul Patel
Hunter Saussy
Seth Speir
Cody Tharpe
Erica Timmons
Timothy Walmsley