The top reported proficiency rate is 22% in Math. The lowest is 19% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Murdock Elementary
Murdock Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Willows, a small agricultural county seat in Glenn County between Redding and Sacramento. The school sits within the city itself rather than on an isolated campus, placing students in a walkable, family-oriented community anchored by downtown shops, the courthouse, and county government offices, with farming—rice, almonds, walnuts—the economic backbone.
The school's academic performance data shows measurable challenge. In the most recent testing, fewer than a quarter of students in tested grades (three and four) met proficiency in math, and fewer still in English language arts. The third-grade ELA proficiency rate was particularly low. Science proficiency in fifth grade, measured in the prior school year, showed a similar pattern. These are figures a parent may want to discuss directly with the school to understand the instructional priorities and support systems in place.
Murdock sits above the midpoint for overall proficiency when compared to other districts in Glenn County, but that comparison reflects a peer group that also scores below state norms overall. State testing data across only two grade levels and one recent year means trend patterns remain unclear, so families cannot yet see whether results are moving or stable.
The student body reflects the region's demography. About three-fifths of enrollment is Hispanic, with a substantial white population and smaller groups of Native American, Asian, and other students. A large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant economic need in the enrollment. The school does not report data on students with disabilities or English learners, though both populations are typically present in schools of this profile; a parent may ask the school directly about the size and services for these groups.
Murdock has undertaken recent physical improvements. The Willows Unified School District, supported by a Measure B bond passed locally, has funded modular classroom buildings at Murdock and upgraded restroom facilities across the campus. A new agricultural facility has been completed at the district's high school as part of the same bond-backed expansion. These investments signal infrastructure renewal, though they speak to facility condition rather than to academic program change.
The school enrolls roughly equal numbers across kindergarten through fifth grade, with enrollment concentrated in fourth and fifth. No data on specific program offerings, staffing ratios, attendance rates, or discipline policies were available, so a parent should ask the school about those directly. The locale is quiet and car-dependent outside downtown; families driving to campus will find the city location accessible.
For families choosing among Glenn County's schools, Murdock offers a regular public elementary with modest recent test results and ongoing capital investment, situated in a small town with low cost of living and a community-centered character. The fit depends on how a family views the academic starting point, the value of the recent facility upgrades, and the appeal of Willows' small-town setting.
See more original research from School Decision →