The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in Math. The lowest is 22% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Philip G Coburn
Philip G Coburn is a regular public elementary school in West Springfield, Massachusetts, serving prekindergarten through fifth grade. It is one of several elementary schools in the West Springfield district. The school’s enrollment is moderate for the PK-5 grade band, and its student body reflects the broader diversity of the community. White students make up about half of the enrollment, with a substantial Hispanic population and notable shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. The school is located on Southworth Street in a residential area of the town.
The most direct information about what students are learning comes from the Massachusetts NextGen MCAS assessments, which the state administers in grades three through five. On the most recent results, Coburn’s proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science all fell below the midpoint for elementary schools in Hampden County when calculated as a combined index. In math, roughly a third of students scored proficient or above. In English language arts, about a quarter of students reached that bar. In science, the share was slightly lower. These figures place Coburn behind many of its peers in the county, though the data gives a single-year snapshot and does not capture the full trajectory of individual students over time.
Looking at the trend data available, Coburn’s test results have fluctuated over the past several years. In math, proficiency was higher in years before the pandemic, then dropped sharply before partially recovering. The most recent year shows a level similar to that of a few years prior but still lower than the school’s earlier peak. In English language arts, the pattern has been somewhat down over the same period, with the most recent result returning to about where it was several years ago after a dip in between. Families considering Coburn may want to ask the school how it supports students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks and whether there are targeted interventions in place.
The school’s student support data, such as the share of students with disabilities or those learning English, was not available in the data provided. That information is often relevant to understanding a school’s academic profile and resource allocation, so a parent may wish to request it directly from the school or district. Free or reduced-price lunch data was also missing, which typically serves as a proxy for the level of economic need in the student population.
West Springfield is a suburban community with a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors. It is sometimes described as the “Crossroads of New England” because of its location at the intersection of Interstate 91 and the Massachusetts Turnpike, which gives the town a highway-oriented feel. The town is home to the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds, which hosts the annual Big E fair and other events throughout the year. The population has been relatively stable in recent years. The town’s housing market reflects its location in Hampden County, with home values and rents that are notably lower than the Massachusetts statewide average, an affordability advantage that many families weigh when choosing where to live.
The district’s recent publicly reported changes were sparse, so this narrative does not speak to any specific new initiatives or shifts in policy that are not in the record. For a fuller picture of the school’s approach and environment, speaking with the principal or visiting the school during a regular school day would be valuable steps. Coburn serves the early grades, and the academic patterns visible in the state test data offer a starting point for those conversations rather than a final judgment.
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