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Average

#662 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 49% in state

Handley Middle School

Middle School · Roanoke City

251 Gilham Rd, Roanoke, AL 36274

Enrollment

497

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

6.7

Grades

4th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Roanoke

#3 of 4

public schools

Alabama middle schools

#47 of 262

In district

#2 of 3

Roanoke City

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Handley Middle School

Handley Middle School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Roanoke, Alabama, in Randolph County. The school serves grades 4 through 8 and has a student body of 497 students. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers, the student-teacher ratio is 18.4:1, providing a relatively low student-to-teacher ratio compared to many other schools.

Academically, Handley Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and is ranked 48th percentile among 1360 schools in Alabama. In ELA/Reading, 46% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 23% of students are proficient or above. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth.

The school is situated in a community with a median household income of $44,100 and a median home value of $102,600. About 18.5% of the population lives below the poverty line, and 16% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. Handley Middle School is a central part of a close-knit rural community in Roanoke, Alabama.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Handley Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,250

Handley Middle School — Students at Handley Middle School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
33%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
23%
ELA
46%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.

How Handley Middle School Compares

See how Handley Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
51th percentile in AL
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

251 Gilham Rd, Roanoke, AL 36274

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Handley Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Heard County Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Franklin), with a comparable rating. Another option is John P Powell Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Lafayette), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Wedowee Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Wedowee), a more accessible option. For more schools in Roanoke, see our Roanoke schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Knight Enloe Elementary School Roanoke 1.2 mi 8.2
Handley High School Roanoke 1.2 mi 4.4
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Roanoke 1.9 mi 5.8
Rock Mills Junior High School Roanoke 3.4 mi 9.0
Randolph County High School Wedowee 13.5 mi 6.1
Wedowee Middle School Wedowee 14.2 mi 5.1
Wedowee Elementary School Wedowee 14.2 mi 7.4
Wadley High School Wadley 13.1 mi 7.0
Woodland High School Woodland 15.8 mi 5.9
Woodland Elementary School Woodland 15.8 mi 8.0
Lafayette High School Lafayette 17.4 mi 6.4
Lafayette Eastside Elementary School Lafayette 17.5 mi 7.8
John P Powell Middle School Lafayette 17.5 mi 5.9
Inspire Virtual Academy Lafayette 17.9 mi 4.6
Ephesus Elementary School Roopville 18.7 mi 6.7
Heard County Middle School Franklin 17.1 mi 6.1
CHAMBERS ACADEMY Lafayette 19.3 mi 5.1
Heard County High School Franklin 17.3 mi 5.4
Arrow Academy Alternative School Franklin 17.3 mi
Long Cane Elementary School Lagrange 18.3 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36274 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,679

Median Home Value

$121,300

Median Rent

$594/mo

Population

9,827

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

74.2%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

20.3%

Median Age

44.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Handley Middle School has a median household income of $43,679. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,300, with a median rent of $594/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Calloway Smith Middle School Mobile, AL 6.7
Centre Middle School Centre, AL 6.7
Muscle Shoals Middle School Muscle Shoals, AL 6.7
South Girard School Phenix City, AL 6.7
Southside Middle School Tallassee, AL 6.7
Cullman Middle School Cullman, AL 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Handley Middle School

What grades does Handley Middle School serve?

Handley Middle School serves students in grades 4th through 8th.

How many students attend Handley Middle School?

Handley Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 497 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Handley Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Handley Middle School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Handley Middle School rank in AL?

Handley Middle School is ranked #662 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Handley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Handley Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Handley Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Handley Middle School has 22.7% math proficiency and 40.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Handley Middle School a charter school?

No, Handley Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Handley Middle School a Title I school?

No, Handley Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Handley Middle School?

71.2% of students at Handley Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,676/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Roanoke). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
497
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Randolph County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Roanoke City
District Enrollment
1,427
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,095
District Rank
#2 of 3

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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