Handy Middle School

Summary:

Handy Middle School is a public middle school located in Bay City, Michigan, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 685 students. The school is part of the Bay City School District, which is ranked 360 out of 610 districts in Michigan and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Handy Middle School faces significant challenges, including consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 36.4% in 2017-2018 to 61.0% in 2021-2022, which is significantly higher than the state average and the surrounding schools. The school's test scores are also consistently lower than the state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas, with only 27.6% of 6th-grade students proficient or better in English Language Arts in 2023-2024, compared to the state average of 37.5% and the district average of 34.1%. Additionally, Handy Middle School has a high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with 79.42% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in 2022-2023, which is significantly higher than the surrounding schools.

In comparison, nearby schools such as Western Middle School and Cramer Junior High School have significantly higher test scores, lower chronic absenteeism rates, and better overall performance. Handy Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom third of Michigan middle schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for most years, which is lower than the nearby schools. Addressing the underlying causes of the school's challenges, such as chronic absenteeism and equity gaps, will be crucial in improving student outcomes and providing a high-quality education for all its students.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 601 Blend St
       Bay City, MI  48706-4306


(989) 684-1723

District: Bay City School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
692nd of 897 Michigan Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,729 Help


Students who attend Handy Middle School usually attend:

High:    Bay City Central High School

Feeder schools for Handy Middle School:

Elementary:    Hampton Elementary School
    Kolb Elementary School
    MacGregor Elementary School
    Washington Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.8 Help
Number of students:  618

Racial breakdown:

White:
68.0%
Hispanic:
16.0%
Two or more races:
9.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  78.8% Help


 See top rated Michigan middle schools

 Compare Handy Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Handy Middle School ranks worse than 77.1% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 21.45. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (68%), Hispanic (16%), two or more races (9.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 78.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Handy Middle School is 12.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Handy Middle School employs 48.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Handy Middle School is $17,729.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Handy Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Handy Middle School 692nd of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Handy Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Bay City School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Bay City School District 360th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Handy Middle School?

Rank History for Handy Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Handy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 49.28 531st 806 34.1%
2007 40.09 617th 823 25.0%
2008 43.44 604th 839 28.0%
2009 36.73 656th 847 22.6%
2010 37.70 665th 851 21.9%
2011 43.98 617th 858 28.1%
2012 35.29 640th 900 28.9%
2013 36.22 628th 919 31.7%
2014 34.97 644th 921 30.1%
2015 32.44 631st 919 31.3%
2016 26.16 661st 894 26.1%
2017 22.62 631st 821 23.1%
2018 29.60 630th 838 24.8%
2019 22.19 634th 792 19.9%
2021 16.18 597th 675 11.6%
2022 23.23 595th 776 23.3%
2023 25.14 647th 883 26.7%
2024 21.45 692nd 897 22.9%
See the entire list of Michigan Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Handy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.02 117th 156 25.0%
2019 11.86 48th 51 5.9%
2021 12.99 15th 15 0.0%
2022 13.52 61st 65 6.2%
2023 14.48 148th 163 9.2%
2024 14.08 163rd 176 7.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Handy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.89 361st 377 4.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Handy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.38 589th 815 27.7%
2019 22.73 563rd 672 16.2%
2021 16.49 482nd 523 7.8%
2022 29.65 509th 691 26.3%
2023 28.26 609th 825 26.2%
2024 21.11 676th 836 19.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Handy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.91 590th 794 25.7%
2019 15.53 577th 658 12.3%
2021 12.69 491st 521 5.8%
2022 18.74 555th 657 15.5%
2023 21.10 619th 770 19.6%
2024 16.97 669th 771 13.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Handy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.32 570th 797 28.5%
2019 21.56 529th 639 17.2%
2021 15.51 491st 540 9.1%
2022 19.60 555th 658 15.7%
2023 22.26 599th 776 22.8%
2024 20.05 637th 786 19.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Handy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.50 248th 366 32.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Handy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.81 204th 266 23.3%
2019 30.24 103rd 137 24.8%
2021 34.19 50th 69 27.5%
2022 21.78 114th 138 17.4%
2023 23.75 196th 246 20.3%
2024 20.26 228th 257 11.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Handy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.52 594th 678 12.4%
2019 15.52 558th 624 10.6%
2021 10.34 553rd 577 4.2%
2022 16.95 561st 638 12.1%
2023 18.00 599th 688 12.9%
2024 14.67 625th 701 10.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Handy Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Handy Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 960 6 2 68 55 n/a n/a 0 1091
1989 911 15 8 66 23 n/a n/a 0 1023
1990 862 14 11 56 22 n/a n/a 0 965
1991 1283 44 3 147 40 n/a n/a 0 1517
1992 1282 44 9 146 27 n/a n/a 0 1508
1993 1308 48 17 128 14 n/a n/a 0 1515
1994 1233 59 15 148 37 n/a n/a 0 1492
1995 1222 68 15 142 32 n/a n/a 0 1479
1996 1222 68 15 142 32 n/a n/a 0 1479
1997 1309 61 21 125 32 n/a n/a 0 1548
1998 1243 69 20 112 31 n/a n/a 0 1475
1999 1198 63 26 95 36 n/a n/a 0 1418
2000 1186 68 18 107 24 n/a n/a 0 1403
2001 1202 63 13 123 20 n/a n/a 0 1421
2002 1065 73 4 116 15 n/a n/a 3 1276
2003 1065 73 4 116 15 n/a n/a 3 1276
2004 978 87 7 117 24 n/a n/a 3 1216
2005 875 89 7 101 25 n/a n/a 3 1100
2006 843 89 9 95 23 n/a n/a 2 1061
2007 942 104 12 110 28 n/a n/a 7 1203
2008 898 97 14 121 27 n/a n/a 3 1160
2009 907 89 12 106 31 n/a n/a 6 1151
2010 885 80 9 103 25 n/a n/a 11 1113
2011 803 60 10 127 22 0 29 0 1051
2012 785 44 9 125 21 0 33 0 1017
2013 764 59 10 103 27 0 12 0 975
2014 714 76 6 123 17 0 15 0 951
2015 714 77 6 122 12 0 24 0 955
2016 660 80 6 117 11 0 35 0 909
2017 661 80 6 105 11 1 40 0 904
2018 680 83 8 102 11 1 43 0 928
2019 677 78 6 116 11 1 66 0 955
2020 650 58 4 118 12 0 82 0 924
2021 563 45 1 139 7 0 113 0 868
2022 499 47 2 122 8 0 107 0 785
2023 440 41 0 113 6 1 84 0 685
2024 420 39 0 99 3 1 56 0 618

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Handy Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1091 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1023 n/a n/a 10.5
1990 965 57.0 16.9 10.7
1991 1517 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1508 n/a n/a n/a
1993 1515 n/a 0.0 35.9
1994 1492 64.0 23.3 37.4
1995 1479 66.7 22.2 41
1996 1479 66.7 22.2 41
1997 1548 68.0 22.8 36.4
1998 1475 69.0 21.4 36.1
1999 1418 69.0 20.6 35.8
2000 1403 71.0 19.8 45.5
2001 1421 80.4 17.7 46.3
2002 1276 74.2 17.2 48
2003 1276 74.2 17.2 48
2004 1216 69.7 17.4 51.7
2005 1100 58.0 19.0 56
2006 1061 57.6 18.4 54.9
2007 1203 56.8 21.2 55
2008 1160 61.6 18.8 56.6
2009 1151 58.6 19.6 61.7
2010 1113 61.6 18.0 64.2
2011 1051 58.4 17.9 66.7
2012 1017 55.4 18.3 69.4
2013 975 54.4 17.9 72.1
2014 951 56.1 16.9 72.8
2015 955 55.0 17.3 57.9
2016 909 55.0 16.5 63.9
2017 904 54.0 16.7 70
2018 928 57.4 16.1 71.2
2019 955 56.3 16.9 69.2
2020 924 53.3 17.3 72.9
2021 868 53.3 16.2 75.8
2022 785 55.9 14.0 75
2023 685 50.0 13.6 79.4
2024 618 48.1 12.8 78.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Handy Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1091 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1023 n/a n/a 10.5
1990 965 57.0 16.9 10.7
1991 1517 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1508 n/a n/a n/a
1993 1515 n/a 0.0 35.9
1994 1492 64.0 23.3 37.4
1995 1479 66.7 22.2 41
1996 1479 66.7 22.2 41
1997 1548 68.0 22.8 36.4
1998 1475 69.0 21.4 36.1
1999 1418 69.0 20.6 35.8
2000 1403 71.0 19.8 45.5
2001 1421 80.4 17.7 46.3
2002 1276 74.2 17.2 48
2003 1276 74.2 17.2 48
2004 1216 69.7 17.4 51.7
2005 1100 58.0 19.0 56
2006 1061 57.6 18.4 54.9
2007 1203 56.8 21.2 55
2008 1160 61.6 18.8 56.6
2009 1151 58.6 19.6 61.7
2010 1113 61.6 18.0 64.2
2011 1051 58.4 17.9 66.7
2012 1017 55.4 18.3 69.4
2013 975 54.4 17.9 72.1
2014 951 56.1 16.9 72.8
2015 955 55.0 17.3 57.9
2016 909 55.0 16.5 63.9
2017 904 54.0 16.7 70
2018 928 57.4 16.1 71.2
2019 955 56.3 16.9 69.2
2020 924 53.3 17.3 72.9
2021 868 53.3 16.2 75.8
2022 785 55.9 14.0 75
2023 685 50.0 13.6 79.4
2024 618 48.1 12.8 78.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Handy Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,212 (11.3%) $9,471 (88.7%) $10,683
2020 $1,199 (10.4%) $10,383 (89.6%) $11,582
2021 $2,008 (15.5%) $10,972 (84.5%) $12,981
2022 $2,829 (18.1%) $12,784 (81.9%) $15,613
2023 $3,813 (21.5%) $13,916 (78.5%) $17,729

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Handy Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 634th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 647th of 883 Middle schools
 6.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Handy Middle School)23.222.5
 0.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Bay City School District)34.331.4
 2.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Handy Middle School)18.811.3
 7.5%
   6th Grade Math (Bay City School District)26.819.1
 7.7%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Handy Middle School)31.315.8
 15.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Bay City School District)36.926.4
 10.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Handy Middle School)24.28.7
 15.5%
   7th Grade Math (Bay City School District)30.821.8
 9%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Handy Middle School)17.517.8
 0.3%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Bay City School District)22.722.5
 0.2%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Handy Middle School)46.354.1
 7.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Bay City School District)56.162.1
 6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Handy Middle School)23.117.6
 5.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Bay City School District)37.725.7
 12%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)41.436.3
 5.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students955685
 28.3%
African American7841
 47.4%
American Indian116
 45.5%
Asian60
 100%
Hispanic116113
 2.6%
Pacific Islander11
White677440
 35%
Two or More Races6684
 27.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients69.2%79.4%
 10.2%


Schools Near Handy Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Handy Middle School

Handy Middle School ranks in the bottom 22.9% of Michigan middle schools.

Students at Handy Middle School are 68% White, 16% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 6% African American.

In the 2023-24 school year, 618 students attended Handy Middle School.

Students who attend Handy Middle School usually go on to attend Bay City Central High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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