The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 25% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on William Holliday Elem School
William Holliday Elementary is a public school serving early grades through fifth in the Pontiac-W Holliday SD 105 district in Fairview Heights, a retail-centered suburb east of St. Louis. The school enrolls a small-to-mid-sized population of students across prekindergarten through fifth grade, with a student body that is racially diverse: a plurality are Black students, with substantial White and Hispanic populations and smaller Asian and multiracial groups.
On Illinois state assessments, the school's proficiency rates in math and reading show consistent challenge across the tested grades. In math, proficiency ranges from roughly 17 percent to 31 percent across grades three through five. In reading, proficiency is somewhat higher, ranging from 29 percent to over 42 percent in fourth grade, the strongest result on record. A science assessment in fifth grade showed proficiency near 36 percent. These results place the school in the bottom quartile on a proficiency index compared to other districts in St. Clair County. A parent evaluating the school's academic standing should understand that performance is below county medians and may want to discuss with school leadership what supports and interventions are in place to address this gap.
State testing data for grades six through eight does not appear, which reflects that the school serves only early grades. The school reached full participation on the state assessments where tested.
Fairview Heights itself is a highway-oriented retail hub about 12 to 15 miles east of St. Louis, anchored by St. Clair Square mall and numerous shopping centers. The built environment is car-dependent, organized around major commercial corridors and I-64 rather than a traditional walkable downtown. The local economy centers on retail and service employment; median home values in the area are modest and have edged up slightly, while rental costs remain moderate relative to incomes. A MetroLink transit station opened in the city in 2022, and a regional shared-use trail system connects through the area, though day-to-day activity revolves around suburban strip retail and residential neighborhoods of ranches, split-levels, and newer subdivisions.
The district is currently pursuing a facilities initiative called "Achieving New Heights." Both William Holliday Elementary and Pontiac Junior High were built decades ago and face challenges including crowded classrooms, inadequate cafeteria space, and lack of secure entry points. The district has placed a bond referendum on the 2026 ballot to fund building improvements. A bond referendum involves a property tax increase and will determine the physical learning environment for years ahead, so families considering a move to the area may want to track the referendum outcome and understand how the district plans to address aging infrastructure.
The school's racial composition and modest academic performance are its defining characteristics. Families with students requiring intensive academic support or with specific program needs should speak directly with school administrators about available interventions, differentiation, and resources. For families drawn to the area by Fairview Heights' retail and service employment base or by the affordability of the housing market, William Holliday Elementary represents the early-elementary option within this small district.
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