Hand Middle School helps scholars develop the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing innovative, transformative, and personalized learning experiences for each student in grades 6–8. We are committed to helping scholars develop the World-Class Skills outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, with a focus on the Four Cs of 21st-Century Learning: Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity. Our goal is to empower scholars to acquire knowledge, apply learning, and work collaboratively to create meaningful and transformative solutions.
The Hand Middle School Leadership Team—including administrators, teachers, staff, and dedicated parent and community partners—is united in serving every scholar, every day. Together, we foster positive relationships, maintain high expectations, educate the whole child, and cultivate character and readiness for high school, college, careers, and citizenship.
Our instructional focus remains aligned with South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Standards, district goals, and performance indicators established by Richland School District One. During the 2025–2026 school year, we intentionally leveraged common planning and Professional Learning Community (PLC) time to engage teachers in ongoing data analysis, instructional planning, and collaborative decision-making. This intentional focus enabled teachers to plan and prepare targeted instruction that met the diverse learning needs of all scholars.
Our scholars continue to demonstrate outstanding achievements:
• Approximately 39% of sixth-grade scholars, 40% of seventh-grade scholars, and 42% of eighth-grade scholars earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the 2025–2026 school year.
• Forty-one eighth-grade scholars were recognized as Richland One Middle School Scholars for sustained academic excellence and community involvement.
• Sixty-five scholars were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.
• Sixteen scholars received awards at the USC Regional Science Fair, including three who earned the Dr. Gary Allen Excellence in Scientific Communications and Honorable Mention Award.
These accomplishments exemplify our school motto: "Science Happens at Hand."
For more than 28 years, Hand Middle School has been designated an Arts in Basic Curriculum School. Our scholars excel in visual arts, chorus, dance, orchestra, and band, earning recognition at the local, district, state, and regional levels.
Under the leadership of Mr. John Duhan, our band program received the South Carolina Band Directors Association Outstanding Performance Award—the highest honor awarded to a band program in the state.
Our scholar-athletes also demonstrated excellence and leadership during the 2025–2026 school year:
• Boys' Football – Richland One District Champions
• Girls' Basketball – District Runner-Up
• Track & Field:
• Sixth-Grade Boys – District Champions
• Sixth-Grade Girls – Second Place
• Seventh- and Eighth-Grade Boys and Girls – Second- and Third-Place Finishes
We are proud of our inclusive school culture that celebrates diversity, promotes equity, and values the unique contributions of every scholar and staff member. Our commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment is reflected in every aspect of school life.
As we look to the future, Hand Middle School remains focused on developing future-ready scholars through excellence in our Five A's: Academics, Arts, Athletics, Attendance, and Attitude. Through strong collaboration, communication, and partnerships with all stakeholders, we continue to rise in excellence and empower every scholar to reach their full potential.
To learn more about Hand Middle School, please visit our website, Home - Hand Middle.
Respectfully,
Patrice T. Green, Ed.D.
Principal
Lilla Toal Mandager
School Improvement Council Chair
