The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Rebecca M Johnson
Rebecca M Johnson is a regular public elementary school in Springfield, Massachusetts, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Springfield school district, the largest district in western Massachusetts, and sits in a residential neighborhood of the city.
Springfield is the urban and economic center of the Pioneer Valley, a city known for its Victorian residential architecture, as the birthplace of basketball, and for innovations like the first American dictionary. The city has a mix of manufacturing, banking, healthcare, and entertainment sectors, with major employers including MassMutual and Baystate Health. Recent revitalization efforts include a large casino development and the redevelopment of Union Station, but the city has also experienced long-term economic challenges. For a family considering this school, the broader context is a mid-sized post-industrial city that is home to several colleges and cultural institutions.
The student body is heavily diverse, with a clear majority of students identifying as Hispanic, a substantial share identifying as Black, and a small number of White students or students of two or more races. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, on students with disabilities, and on English learners was not available in the source material. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these supports, as they often shape the daily experience.
On state assessments, the school’s proficiency rates are low across all tested subjects. In the most recent year, a small share of students met proficiency standards in math, and a similarly small share did so in English language arts and in science. The trend over the past several years shows a decline from earlier levels. Before the pandemic, proficiency in ELA and math was higher, though still below the state average. In the most recent years, rates have hovered at roughly the same low level. Compared to other districts in Hampden County, the school’s overall proficiency index falls in the bottom quarter. This is a straightforward indicator that academic attainment, as measured by these tests, is a soft spot, and a parent should look into what interventions and supports the school offers.
No data was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing, and because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The school’s website was not included in the source material, so specific programs or enrichment offerings are not described here.
The housing market in the area is relatively affordable compared to the state as a whole. Home values in the zip code are below the national median, and the county’s median listing price has risen modestly over the past year. The market shows strong demand, with homes selling quickly. For a family looking to buy in Springfield, the school sits in a part of the city where housing costs are lower than in many neighboring communities.
Rebecca M Johnson is a neighborhood elementary school in a large, diverse city district. Its academic picture is one of a school where most students are not yet reaching proficiency benchmarks, and that challenge has persisted over several years. The school’s demographic composition reflects the city’s population, and its location in Springfield means families have access to the city’s museums, parks, and higher education institutions. A parent considering this school should weigh the academic data against the school’s specific supports and programs, which were not available in the source material.
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