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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.1%
Math vs. State Avg-13.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,620

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 16.9%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 32.5%
School
State
45.2%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
34%
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: 6.5/10.

How Handy Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in MI
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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