Handley Middle School

Handley Middle School in Roanoke, AL, serves 483 students in grades 4-8 as part of the Roanoke City school district, where about 69% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

One of the school's standout strengths is its exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate—just 5.7% for the 2024-2025 school year, compared to 12% statewide. This means students are showing up to class consistently, which provides a strong foundation for learning. Academically, the school performs best in English Language Arts, with 7th graders exceeding state averages (62.64% vs. 55.25% proficient). Science scores have also improved dramatically, with 8th graders jumping from 27.37% proficiency in 2023-2024 to 51.06% in 2025-2026, nearly matching the state average. However, 8th grade math remains a persistent challenge, with proficiency rates hovering around 15% for the past several years. The school's overall ranking places it in the 46th percentile statewide, a middle-ground position that reflects both areas of strength and areas needing attention.

Compared to the nearest comparable school, John P Powell Middle School in Chambers County (17 miles away), Handley performs notably better. In 8th grade science, Handley's proficiency rate is 42.22% versus Powell's 10.64%—a four-fold difference—and in 8th grade English, Handley achieves 60% versus Powell's 21.74%. Handley also has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (5.7% vs. 13.3%) and spends significantly less per student ($8,210 vs. $13,362) while achieving better outcomes. For parents, this suggests Handley is operating efficiently and providing solid educational opportunities, particularly in reading and science, despite the ongoing challenge in 8th grade math.