Learn More About Hancock College Prep: What Makes this Selective Enrollment High School Unique?

Leading up to the PreACT 9, Test Prep Chicago will be featuring all eleven CPS selective enrollment high schools and some top AP, IB, and Honors high school programs in Chicago, breaking down each program and what makes them unique on our blog. This week, we're spotlighting Hancock College Preparatory High School.

Hancock College Preparatory High School is one of Chicago's selective enrollment high schools. Located in the Clearing neighborhood on Chicago's south side, Hancock is recognized for its rigorous academics, strong college preparatory curriculum, and commitment to helping students succeed in college and beyond. The school provides a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to challenge themselves academically while developing the skills needed for future success.

Students at Hancock have access to a wide selection of Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including participation in the AP Capstone Diploma Program, allowing them to engage in college-level coursework across a variety of subject areas. In addition to its AP offerings, Hancock provides Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment opportunities through City Colleges of Chicago, giving students the chance to earn college credit while still in high school. The school also offers courses in STEM, world languages, fine arts, and a variety of electives that allow students to explore their academic interests. Beyond the classroom, students can participate in numerous extracurricular activities, including academic clubs, student organizations, performing arts, and IHSA athletics, giving them opportunities to develop leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and pursue their passions.

One of Hancock's distinctive academic opportunities is its participation in Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS), a nationally recognized program that allows students to work on engineering and design projects that address real-world needs in their communities. Combined with its challenging coursework and college-focused curriculum, these experiences help prepare students for a wide range of future academic and career pathways.

Hancock attracts motivated students with diverse interests and aspirations, from future engineers, scientists, healthcare professionals, and educators to artists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. The school's emphasis on academic excellence, critical thinking, and college readiness creates an environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential while preparing for success after graduation.

Admission to Hancock is competitive and based on seventh-grade core grades and the new PreACT 9. If your student is interested in attending Hancock or another selective enrollment high school, Test Prep Chicago can help your student prepare for the new PreACT 9, helping them develop the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to succeed. As a licensed participant in the NTPA ACT Affiliate Tutor Program, we had been aware of the change from the CPS HSAT to the PreACT 9, and our team had already begun creating new PreACT 9 Secure curriculum. As such, students enrolled or looking to enroll in any courses or one-day workshops, or students beginning individual tutoring, can be assured that the content and test-taking strategies they are being taught will reflect the content seen on the new exam. All of our scheduled courses (sign up here) and one-day Palooza workshops (sign up here) will continue to run as planned, as will our individual tutoring sessions (sign up here), with the new PreACT 9 Secure content and test-taking strategies instead of the old CPS HSAT curriculum. Sign up now to help your student prepare!

An Overview of John Hancock College Preparatory High School

Founded in 1999 as an elementary school and then converted into a selective enrollment high school in 2002, John Hancock College Preparatory High School (also known as Hancock) is located in the West Elsdon community of the southwest side of Chicago. Hancock is ranked 217th in the state of Illinois. Enrollment at Hancock is 887 with a student to teacher ratio of 18:1. Of their total enrollment, 98% of students are people of color and 91% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch. The graduation rate of Hancock is 94%.

Courses offered at Hancock include both standard courses as well as a few which are unique to the school; these include four different law classes (encompassing criminology and pre-law), decision theory, forensic science, financial algebra, and drama. In addition, they have departments in pre-engineering and computer science, both of which are noteworthy compared to neighborhood high schools. Hancock also incorporates a wide range of AP classes, honors classes, and electives in fine arts. Languages offered are Spanish and French with an opportunity to take a class trip to Costa Rica with the Spanish class. Another uncommon program which Hancock provides is an opportunity for students to earn high school credit through an internship. Many students previously interned with Urban Alliance, Genesys Works, and more.

Athletics at Hancock include but are not limited to cross country, bowling, track and field, volleyball, cheerleading, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Hancock has a rich tradition of sports and is decorated in Regional and Conference Championships in soccer, baseball, softball, and volleyball.

To learn more about academics or athletics at Hancock, visit their website: hancockhs.org.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266