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Average

#2304 of 3,192 schools in MI

Handy Middle School

Middle School · Bay City School District

601 BLEND ST, Bay City, MI 48706

Enrollment

618

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

5.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,304 of 3,192

In Bay City

#12 of 20

public schools

In district

#10 of 13

Bay City School District

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Handy Middle School

5.3/10

Middle School in Bay City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Johns Lutheran School

5.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bangor Township Virtual School

7.7/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Handy Middle School

Handy Middle School is a public middle school in Bay City, MI, part of Bay City School District. Handy Middle School serves approximately 618 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Handy Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,304 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Handy Middle School show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

55% of students at Handy Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-13.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment6.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,093
Chronic Absenteeism54.9%

Handy Middle School — Students at Handy Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 40.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
45.4% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
73%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
26%
ELA
51%
2012
Math
28%
ELA
55%
2013
Math
26%
ELA
60%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
31%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
15.6%
ELA
32%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Handy Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
28th percentile in MI
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
6.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
54.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 Township Virtual School (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably 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 5.2
Bangor Township Virtual School Bay City 1.0 mi 7.7
Kolb Elementary School Bay City 1.0 mi 6.6
Christa McAuliffe Middle School Bay City 1.0 mi 4.4
John Glenn High School Bay City 1.1 mi 6.7
State Street Academy Bay City 1.1 mi 4.8
Bangor West Central School Bay City 1.4 mi 5.8
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City 1.6 mi 4.6
ISDLocal Programs Bay City 1.4 mi 3.6
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 4.6
Bay City Academy Farragut Campus Bay City 1.8 mi 6.7
Mackensen Elementary School Bay City 2.2 mi 6.8
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City 2.0 mi 5.7
Bangor Central School Bay City 2.5 mi 3.3
Bay City Central High School Bay City 2.2 mi 6.4
MacGregor Elementary School Bay City 2.7 mi 4.8
Washington Elementary School Bay City 2.2 mi 3.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Middle School East Chesterfield, MI 5.3
Rolland Warner Campus 67 Lapeer, MI 5.3
Shumate Middle School Rockwood, MI 5.3
Warren Woods Middle School Warren, MI 5.3
Hazel Park Junior High School Hazel Park, MI 5.2
Lincoln Middle School Ypsilanti, MI 5.2

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 ranks #2,304 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Handy Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Handy Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Handy Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Handy Middle School has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
66 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
54.9%

District

Bay City School District
District Enrollment
6,180
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,093
District Rank
#10 of 13

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