Average
#1273 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 40% in state
Handy Middle School
Middle School · Bay City School District
601 BLEND ST, Bay City, MI 48706
Enrollment
618
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
618
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bay City
#6 of 20
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#140 of 497
In district
#3 of 13
Bay City School District
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Handy Middle School
Handy Middle School serves 618 students in grades 6-8 in Bay City, Michigan, earning a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #374 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Michigan schools—a strong performance that reflects the dedication of its 48 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a manageable 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. This middle school provides an important bridge for students transitioning from elementary to high school, offering the personalized attention that comes with its favorable class sizes.
The school's high ranking suggests it's successfully preparing students for their next academic steps, creating an environment where middle schoolers can thrive during these crucial developmental years. Handy Middle School sits in Bay City's 48706 ZIP code area, a community of nearly 39,200 residents where the median household income is $58,211 and median home values are $126,600. About 21% of area adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.2% of families experience poverty.
The school operates in Bay County's small city setting, providing students with both community connections and access to the resources that come with urban amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Handy Middle School — Students at Handy Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.5/10.
How Handy Middle School Compares
See how Handy Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 15.83% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 34% (2019) to 32.15% (2022).
Location
601 BLEND ST, Bay City, MI 48706
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Handy Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ALL SAINTS CENTRAL MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bangor West Central School (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bay City, see our Bay City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Bangor Township Virtual School Bay City | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Kolb Elementary School Bay City | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Christa McAuliffe Middle School Bay City | 1.0 mi | 3.6 |
| John Glenn High School Bay City | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| State Street Academy Bay City | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Bangor West Central School Bay City | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 1.6 mi | 4.6 |
| ISDLocal Programs Bay City | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY Bay City | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| ALL SAINTS CENTRAL MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL Bay City | 1.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Bay City Adult EducationCTP Bay City | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Bay City Academy Farragut Campus Bay City | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Mackensen Elementary School Bay City | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Bangor Central School Bay City | 2.5 mi | 3.2 |
| Bay City Central High School Bay City | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| MacGregor Elementary School Bay City | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Washington Elementary School Bay City | 2.2 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,908
Median Home Value
$142,300
Median Rent
$887/mo
Population
38,756
College Educated
23.6%
Homeownership
77.3%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Median Age
44.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Handy Middle School has a median household income of $61,908. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,300, with a median rent of $887/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Creekside Middle School Zeeland, MI | 6.7 |
| Eaton Rapids Middle School Eaton Rapids, MI | 6.7 |
| Huron Academy Grades 38 Clinton Township, MI | 6.7 |
| Johnson Upper Elementary School Westland, MI | 6.7 |
| Kingsford Middle School Kingsford, MI | 6.7 |
| KuehnHaven Middle School Montrose, MI | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Handy Middle School
What grades does Handy Middle School serve?
Handy Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Handy Middle School?
Handy Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 618 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Handy Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Handy Middle School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Handy Middle School rank in MI?
Handy Middle School is ranked #1273 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Handy Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Handy 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 Handy Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Handy Middle School has 16.9% math proficiency and 32.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Handy Middle School a charter school?
No, Handy Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Handy Middle School a Title I school?
No, Handy Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Handy Middle School?
78.8% of students at Handy 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,466/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bay City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 618
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Bay County
- Phone
- (989) 684-1723
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bay City School District- District Enrollment
- 6,180
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,093
- District Rank
- #3 of 13
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.