The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in English language arts. The lowest is 31% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Horace Mann Elem.
Horace Mann Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school within the Springfield R-XII district. The school is located on South Broadway in Springfield, a mid-sized regional hub that functions as the center for healthcare, retail, distribution, and manufacturing for the surrounding area. The city hosts several universities and is the headquarters for Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, and O’Reilly Auto Parts, giving the local economy a mix of corporate, medical, and educational employers. Population growth has been modest in recent years.
The student body at Horace Mann is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population making up the next largest share, followed by smaller groups of students who identify as two or more races, Asian, Black, and American Indian or Alaska Native. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves many families with lower household incomes.
State testing results from the most recent school year provide a window into academic performance. In English language arts, proficiency rates across grades three, four, and five clustered in the low-to-mid forties, with fifth graders posting the highest rate among the three grades tested. In mathematics, proficiency rates were lower overall, with fourth graders performing somewhat better than third and fifth graders, who both landed in the high twenties. Science results for fifth grade were suppressed, so a clear picture for that subject is not available from this data. When placed alongside other schools within the county, Horace Mann’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Greene County. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the specific instructional approaches and supports in place.
Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, which is expected given the grade band and not an indicator of weak outcomes. No data was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing, so those dimensions of school environment cannot be assessed from this data.
The Springfield R-XII district recently approved a major bond issue for facility improvements, including HVAC replacement, roofing, safety upgrades, and classroom renovations across the district. The bond was structured to avoid a tax rate increase. The district also implemented a middle school redesign initiative that restructured bell schedules and expanded elective offerings, though this affects the middle schools and not Horace Mann directly.
Housing values in the area around the school have seen modest appreciation, and rents have increased at a similar pace. The typical monthly mortgage payment for a median-priced home is roughly in line with or slightly above the typical rent, depending on the specific neighborhood. The national mortgage rate environment has been elevated relative to recent years, which may factor into family housing decisions.
Horace Mann is an elementary school where academic performance on state assessments is below the county average, particularly in math. The school serves a population with a high rate of economic disadvantage. For a family considering this school, the key questions are likely to revolve around the specific academic supports and enrichment opportunities the school provides, as well as how the district’s facility investments might affect the building and classrooms.
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