The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in English language arts. The lowest is 35% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Sherwood Elem.
Sherwood Elementary is a regular public school in Springfield, Missouri, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits on the south side of the city. The school is part of the Springfield R-XII district, the largest public school system in the region. With a moderate enrollment for its grade band, Sherwood draws families from a surrounding residential area where the housing market is mixed and broadly affordable relative to national benchmarks.
The student body is predominantly white, with notable shares of Hispanic, Black, and Asian students, as well as students identifying as two or more races. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. That economic composition suggests a peer environment where a substantial number of families rely on school-based support. The school does not report the share of students receiving special education services or English learner support, so a parent should ask the school directly about those programs and how they are resourced.
On the state’s Missouri Assessment Program tests, Sherwood’s results are modest. In math, across grades three through five, the share of students scoring proficient or above falls below the midpoint of the county’s districts. In English language arts, the picture is a little stronger but still below the county average. Fifth-grade science results are similar. Taken together, the school’s overall proficiency sits in the bottom quarter relative to districts in Greene County. That does not mean the school lacks strengths; it points to a place where a family might want to learn about the specific academic supports available, such as intervention programs, small-group instruction, or curriculum initiatives the school uses to raise achievement.
Because Sherwood covers only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to consider, and state testing data does not extend beyond these years. The school does not offer high school pathways or career programs, which is typical for a K-5 setting.
Springfield itself is a mid-sized regional hub. Its economy centers on health care, manufacturing, retail, and distribution; major employers include two large hospital systems and the corporate headquarters of Bass Pro Shops and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Several universities sit near downtown, giving the city a distinctive college-town overlay. Housing values in the zip code are below the state median, and rents are moderate, making the area accessible to many working families. The city’s population has grown modestly in recent years, and the overall feel is that of a stable, service-oriented metro area.
The Springfield R-XII district has pursued notable changes. Voters recently approved a substantial bond issue for facility improvements across the district, including HVAC upgrades, roofing, safety enhancements, and classroom renovations — all without a tax increase. The district also launched a multi-year redesign of its middle school programming, restructuring bell schedules and expanding elective offerings. While those changes directly affect older students, they signal a district that is investing in its physical plants and rethinking instructional models, which can influence how elementary students eventually transition to the next level.
For a family considering Sherwood Elementary, the takeaway is this: a community with a significant share of students from lower-income households, test results that lag the county average, and a district that is actively funding facility upgrades and middle school reforms. The academic pathway is one where a parent should be prepared to engage with the school on instructional support and monitor their child’s progress. The peer environment is economically diverse. The housing is affordable. The fit will depend on how well the school’s current performance aligns with a family’s expectations and what additional resources the school and district can bring to bear on student learning.
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