Williams Elementary School, Huntsville AL

Original Research by School Decision on Williams Elementary School

Williams Elementary is a regular public school in Huntsville, serving students from Pre-K through fifth grade as part of the Huntsville City district. It is a neighborhood elementary in a city that has experienced rapid population growth and is anchored by a technology-driven economy. Families considering this school should be aware that the district adopted a balanced calendar starting in the 2023-24 school year, moving the first day of school earlier and redistributing breaks throughout the year, a lasting change that affects summer and holiday planning.

Enrollment at Williams is typical for an elementary of its grade span, with students spread across all grades. The student body is economically diverse: a considerable share of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Racially and ethnically, the largest group of students is Black, followed by white, Hispanic, and smaller shares of multiracial, Asian, and other backgrounds. Data on the proportion of students with disabilities or those learning English were not reported in the available records, so a family with specific needs in these areas should ask the school directly.

On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, results were mixed across grade levels and subjects. In English language arts, a majority of third and fifth graders met the proficiency standard, while fourth-grade reading landed around the midway point. Math performance was weaker across the board, with proficiency rates in all tested grades falling below those in reading. Science results, which are only gathered in fourth grade, were modest. When compared with other school districts in Madison County on an overall measure of proficiency across tested subjects and grades, Williams sits in the bottom quarter. A parent may want to inquire with the school about the specific instructional approaches and intervention programs available for students who need extra support in math and science.

The school is located in Huntsville, a mid-size city that is among the fastest-growing in the country. Its economy is shaped by federal defense and aerospace facilities, including NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal, as well as Cummings Research Park, which is one of the largest research parks in the United States. Major manufacturing employers include automotive and aviation companies, and the city has a notable concentration of aerospace contractors. Home values in the area are above typical national figures, and the rental market reflects a competitive housing environment. The city offers a range of civic and cultural amenities, such as parks, museums, a downtown arena, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Information on special programs, staffing ratios, and discipline was not available in the data provided. The school appears to offer a standard elementary curriculum without a magnet or charter designation. For families considering Williams, it provides a diverse peer setting in a dynamic metro area that is growing and attracting investment. Academic performance, however, is an area where the school lags behind many peers in the county, particularly in math and science, so a family would benefit from discussing the school's academic support structure and enrichment opportunities before enrolling.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 334%

School 34% · District 39% · ▼ 5 pts below district

▼ 9 pts below state median · ▼ 14 pts below county median

Grade 444%

School 44% · District 39% · ▲ 5 pts above district

▲ 6 pts above state median · ▼ 3 pts below county median

Grade 522%

School 22% · District 32% · ▼ 11 pts below district

▼ 12 pts below state median · ▼ 19 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 355%

School 55% · District 58% · ▼ 4 pts below district

▼ 11 pts below state median · ▼ 17 pts below county median

Grade 445%

School 45% · District 55% · ▼ 10 pts below district

▼ 14 pts below state median · ▼ 23 pts below county median

Grade 562%

School 62% · District 64% · ▼ 2 pts below district

▼ 5 pts below state median · ▼ 11 pts below county median

Science

Grade 438%

School 38% · District 40% · ▼ 2 pts below district

even with state median · ▼ 16 pts below county median

This schoolHuntsville City, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 3Lower-income46%Higher-income65%18 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income29%Higher-income63%35 pp gap

Grade 5Lower-income64%Higher-income59%5 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 3Lower-income21%Higher-income50%29 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income31%Higher-income58%27 pp gap

Grade 5Lower-income11%Higher-income37%25 pp gap