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Handley School

Public, Magnet Grades PK, KG-5

31^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 98% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Handley School is a public elementary school in Saginaw, MI, serving 370 students in grades PK-5 and part of the Saginaw School District of the City of. This school is a remarkable standout: it has earned a 5-star rating and ranks in the top 2-3% of all elementary schools in Michigan for over a decade, making it one of the very best in the state despite being in a district where most schools struggle.

What truly sets Handley apart is the size of the achievement gap between it and nearby schools. While other elementary schools in its own district—like Merrill Park Elementary School, Stone School, Kempton Elementary School, and Herig School—rank in the bottom 12th percentile statewide, Handley's M-Step proficiency rates range from 61% to 94% across subjects and grades. For example, in 3rd grade English Language Arts, Handley posts an 87% proficiency rate, while nearby district schools range from just 8% to 21%. Even Chester F Miller School, located just 0.36 miles away, ranks in the 11th percentile. Handley also excels across all student subgroups—female, male, African American, White, and low-income—ranking in the 97th percentile or higher for each, showing its success is systemic, not limited to any one group.

Perhaps the most telling comparison is to Hemmeter Elementary School, just 0.81 miles away in the Saginaw Township Community Schools district. Hemmeter is ranked #6 in the state and achieves similar test scores, but only 12% of its students qualify for free/reduced lunch, compared to 43% at Handley—making Handley's equal performance far more notable. Handley's chronic absenteeism rate (17%) is also dramatically lower than its district's average (60%), and it achieves these results while spending less per student ($14,273) than its struggling district peers (who spend $16,780–$18,742). This is a school that proves exceptional outcomes are possible regardless of district challenges or economic need.

370

Students ?

20.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,273

Per pupil spending ?

42.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

95%

Kindergartners complete for all required vaccines (2025-26)

Exemptions: 5% (any vaccine)

1300 Passolt St
Saginaw, MI 48602

(989) 399-4250

District: Saginaw School District of the City of

Racial breakdown:

White:

38.9%

African American:

30.0%

Asian:

13.0%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 100th percentile in 2016 → 98th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (76% vs 38% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 2% of Michigan elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Saginaw School District of the City of

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school76%

District avg20%

Michigan avg38%

31^st of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Top 2%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 10Elementary Schools in the Saginaw School District of the City of

493^rd of 625Saginaw School District of the City of among Michigan districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	96.8	31 of 1492	97.9%	★★★★★
2025	97.1	23 of 1488	98.5%	★★★★★
2024	96.1	34 of 1486	97.7%	★★★★★
2023	98.5	6 of 1470	99.6%	★★★★★
2022	95.6	35 of 1344	97.4%	★★★★★
2021	96.3	20 of 1153	98.3%	★★★★★
2019	99.5	1 of 1408	99.9%	★★★★★
2018	99.5	3 of 1448	99.8%	★★★★★
2017	99.6	2 of 1466	99.9%	★★★★★
2016	98.3	7 of 1548	99.5%	★★★★★
2015	97.1	15 of 1580	99.1%	★★★★★
2014	97.1	5 of 1533	99.7%	★★★★★
2013	98.1	3 of 1563	99.8%	★★★★★
2012	96.6	6 of 1566	99.6%	★★★★★
2011	86.9	18 of 1552	98.8%	★★★★★
2010	86.7	2 of 1552	99.9%	★★★★★
2009	91.1	2 of 1589	99.9%	★★★★★
2008	90.8	3 of 1577	99.8%	★★★★★
2007	90.1	9 of 1565	99.4%	★★★★★
2006	92.4	2 of 1545	99.9%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	98.8	5 of 388	98.7%	★★★★★
2025	99.6	4 of 369	98.9%	★★★★★
2024	97.4	4 of 348	98.9%	★★★★★
2023	99.3	2 of 321	99.4%	★★★★★
2018	100.0	1 of 475	99.8%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	92.9	2 of 101	98.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	96.2	28 of 1343	97.9%	★★★★★
2025	88.2	106 of 1338	92.1%	★★★★★
2024	92.6	52 of 1342	96.1%	★★★★★
2023	95.7	23 of 1321	98.3%	★★★★★
2022	89.1	74 of 1106	93.3%	★★★★★
2021	99.2	2 of 902	99.8%	★★★★★
2018	98.9	4 of 1443	99.7%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	97.9	11 of 1352	99.2%	★★★★★
2025	99.0	3 of 1346	99.8%	★★★★★
2024	96.4	18 of 1381	98.7%	★★★★★
2023	99.9	1 of 1350	99.9%	★★★★★
2022	97.7	9 of 1099	99.2%	★★★★★
2018	100.0	1 of 1397	99.9%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	94.9	38 of 1372	97.2%	★★★★★
2025	98.8	5 of 1366	99.6%	★★★★★
2024	95.6	25 of 1347	98.1%	★★★★★
2023	98.6	3 of 1334	99.8%	★★★★★
2022	95.0	27 of 1139	97.6%	★★★★★
2018	99.5	3 of 1446	99.8%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	96.4	16 of 1199	98.7%	★★★★★
2025	96.2	18 of 1206	98.5%	★★★★★
2024	93.8	41 of 1204	96.6%	★★★★★
2018	99.4	3 of 1253	99.8%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)99th percentile~ school

African American (2026)99th percentile~ school

White (2026)99th percentile~ school

Asian (2018)98th percentile~ school

Female (2026)98th percentile~ school

Male (2026)97th percentile~ school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts82%+41 vs state

Math75%+37 vs state

Science67%+27 vs state

Social Studies67%+39 vs state

3.8

6 ratings · 5 written reviews

5★4

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, October 25, 2012

Our children started at Handley this year, and I am so happy we made the switch! They are so much more confident in themselves now, and their vocabulary has grown immensely since starting. I love when they come home speaking Spanish or talking about projects they are working on. They are excited to go to school everyday, which is such a refreshing change. I would highly recommend Handley to any parent looking for a school that will challenge their child. My kids ride the bus from Bay City, and I'm so happy this is offered as an option. Absolutely no complaints! Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, March 1, 2012

Handley has a very diverse student population demographically, and even though the student to teacher ratios are high for the caliber school it is, the parent involvement in the students' education more than makes up for the ratio. The Principal and teachers are all actively involved in student education, and encourage students to work at their own pace with accelerated reading and math programs. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, December 14, 2010

I'd say average to above average if it was like other public schools but the IB program pulls it lower. I do agree with the other parent that the teachers are excellent but when you throw in the IB content, the program for Handley loses creditability. Go to www.truthaboutib.com to learn more about IB. IB is a UN based (look up IB's charter and see if the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is still on the wall outside Handley's cafeteria.) education program that will confuse the kids because it is going nowhere in Saginaw. After the IB-PYP where does it go? What's the point of IB-PYP if you can't go to the mid-level or the high school level and earn the diploma? Why should the Saginaw Public School system be saddled with this expense program? Saginaw could have done better by keeping it as a gifted program. Until then, I'll take my kids somewhere else and hope that SASA can continue to fight off IB till my kids are old enough. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, December 14, 2010

I pulled my two children out. This is an International Baccalaureate school, I suggest you dig deep into what this is and who is represented by this. In Kindergarten, my son came home saying "Never,ever cut down a tree". I had to tell him what a renewable resource was. I cautioned the use of plastics, Styrofoam and rubber which eventually end up in a land fill and don't biodegrade. In first grade, he came home saying that "CO2 is a poison". He flipped out at the gas station when my husband was filling the gas can for the mower. I gave him a can of soda pop and showed him some chemical structures of carbon - he actually understood! I stressed moderation, innovation in new fuel discoveries and practical applications. The last straw for my husband was when they were going to write letters "to companies that are unfriendly to the rainforests". My last straw was seeing the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights posted on the wall outside the café. This, in part, contradicts the United States constitution. There is a difference between "rights" and "privileges". Also, they boast "critical thinking". Our arguments; How can you teach a child this young to be a critical thinker? Why not stick to the basics? How can you say that it is critical thinking when only one part of the equation (or opinion) is given? They DO NOT teach them HOW to think, they are teaching them WHAT to think. We didn't like it. We do however,compliment the teachers. The ones we had were very good. Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, December 27, 2009

Handley is an awesome school for children. The teachers are awesome and are really hands on with the students. The education is spectacular and the kids learn lots. No wonder they are ranked #1 of all of the elementary schools in the state of Michigan. Close Quote

Schools Near Handley School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				M-Step English Language Arts (2026)			M-Step Math (2026)			M-Step Science (2026)	M-Step Social Studies (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	M-Step English Language Arts 3rd Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners complete for all required vaccines	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Handley School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1300 Passolt St	Saginaw	48602	Saginaw County	Saginaw School District of the City of	No	Yes	No	No	(989) 399-4250	370	18	20.5	42.7%	144 (38.9%)	111 (30.0%)	32 (8.6%)	48 (13.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (8.9%)	96.8	31^st of 1492 public elementary schools	97.9%		97.1	23^rd of 1488 public elementary schools	98.5%	8	87.0	84.5	74.5	94.4	70.7	60.8	66.7	66.7	95%	5%	$14,273	$1,350	$12,923
Chester F Miller School	Public	PK, KG-5	2020 Brockway St	Saginaw	48602	Saginaw County	Saginaw School District of the City of	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 399-4850	247	15	16.4	89.9%	62 (25.1%)	100 (40.5%)	59 (23.9%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	23 (9.3%)	11.7	1334^th of 1492 public elementary schools	10.6%		23	1111^th of 1488 public elementary schools	25.3%	223	10.6	20.5	13.5	12.8	25.0	1465.2	1472.1	1469.1	94.9%	2.6%	$17,994	$3,817	$14,177
Hemmeter Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1890 Hemmeter Rd	Saginaw	48638	Saginaw County	Saginaw Township Community Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(989) 797-1832	331	16	20.0	12.4%	256 (77.3%)	9 (2.7%)	31 (9.4%)	22 (6.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.9%)	98.9	6^th of 1492 public elementary schools	99.6%		98.9	4^th of 1488 public elementary schools	99.7%	2	89.7	89.7	94.8	94.8	89.7	72.4	87.9	55.2	87.5%	10.4%	$11,909	$745	$11,164
Kempton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3040 Davenport Ave	Saginaw	48602	Saginaw County	Saginaw School District of the City of	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 399-4600	279	17	16.4	88.9%	80 (28.7%)	182 (65.2%)	11 (3.9%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	4 (1.4%)	12.8	1315^th of 1492 public elementary schools	11.9%		8.5	1384^th of 1488 public elementary schools	7.0%	69	21.1	31.7	8.2	15.8	17.1	1455.8	6.1	1465.1	86%	7%	$18,742	$4,998	$13,744
Weiss Elementary School	Public	3-5	4645 Weiss St	Saginaw	48603	Saginaw County	Saginaw Township Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(989) 793-5226	357	22	16.3	60.5%	147 (41.2%)	71 (19.9%)	96 (26.9%)	6 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	34 (9.5%)	33.9	944^th of 1492 public elementary schools	36.7%		26.8	1055^th of 1488 public elementary schools	29.1%	111	28.7	40.2	37.7	35.7	32.1	21.1	29.3	17.1			$13,512	$728	$12,784
Herig School	Public	PK, KG-5	1905 Houghton Ave	Saginaw	48602	Saginaw County	Saginaw School District of the City of	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 399-4350	282	11	25.6	94.0%	59 (20.9%)	148 (52.5%)	50 (17.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	23 (8.2%)	11.6	1340^th of 1492 public elementary schools	10.2%		5.4	1460^th of 1488 public elementary schools	1.9%	120	1261.6	1364.7	15.2	1264.7	8.9	1460.7	23.9	1468.3	91.9%	0%	$18,509	$5,006	$13,503
Arrowwood Elementary School	Public	3-5	5410 Seidel Rd	Saginaw	48638	Saginaw County	Saginaw Township Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(989) 797-1835	445	26	16.9	58.7%	194 (43.6%)	98 (22.0%)	107 (24.0%)	13 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (7.4%)	22.3	1136^th of 1492 public elementary schools	23.9%		23.7	1099^th of 1488 public elementary schools	26.1%	37	27.9	28.7	26.7	27.7	25.2	15.6	24.4	12.6			$14,245	$917	$13,328
Westdale Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	705 S Center Rd	Saginaw	48638	Saginaw County	Saginaw Township Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 797-1827	313	19	16.6	69.0%	113 (36.1%)	90 (28.8%)	75 (24.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	33 (10.5%)								(n/a)									90.1%	7.9%	$14,211	$1,669	$12,542
Sherwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3870 Shattuck Rd	Saginaw	48603	Saginaw County	Saginaw Township Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 799-2382	531	36	14.7	64.0%	215 (40.5%)	116 (21.8%)	137 (25.8%)	10 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (10.0%)								(n/a)									94.6%	0.8%	$15,008	$1,728	$13,280
Merrill Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1800 Grout St	Saginaw	48602	Saginaw County	Saginaw School District of the City of	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 399-4800	267	13	20.5	92.5%	53 (19.9%)	128 (47.9%)	52 (19.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	33 (12.4%)	9.1	1390^th of 1492 public elementary schools	6.8%		10.9	1339^th of 1488 public elementary schools	10.0%	51	10.5	10.3	26.3	13.2	7.7	7.9	10.5	10.5	95.2%	0%	$16,780	$2,966	$13,814

Frequently Asked Questions about Handley School

What district is Handley School in?

Saginaw School District of the City of

How many students attend Handley School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 370 students attended Handley School.

What is the racial makeup of Handley School?

Students at Handley School are 39% White, 30% African American, 13% Asian, 9% Two or more races, 9% Hispanic.

Is Handley School a good school?

Yes! Handley School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 31^st of 1492 Michigan elementary schools.

Rate Handley School!

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2021–22 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

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.