The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in Science. The lowest is 18% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Williams Elem.
Williams Elementary is a regular public school in the Springfield R-XII district, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. It sits on the western side of Springfield, a mid-sized regional hub that functions as a commercial, medical, and educational center for the Ozarks region. The school’s enrollment is moderate for its grade band, and the student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, Black, and multiracial students, along with a handful of Native American and Asian students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker that many families at the school face economic strain.
The academic picture comes from Missouri’s state assessments, the MAP, which are given in grades three through five. Across all three tested subjects — math, English language arts, and science — the share of students scoring proficient or advanced was low in every grade and subject. In math, proficiency rates were below a quarter of students at every tested grade. In ELA, the figures were modestly higher in fourth and fifth grade but still well under a third. Fifth-grade science results fell in a similar range. When placed alongside other elementary schools across Greene County’s districts, Williams’ overall proficiency index sat in the bottom quartile. That relative position is a meaningful signal: most other schools in the county show stronger academic outcomes. A parent considering Williams may want to look into what supports the school offers for students who are behind grade level and whether those supports are reaching enough children.
The school’s own data does not indicate what special education or English learner resources are available; those enrollment counts were not reported. Program offerings, such as gifted services, arts, or extended learning, were also absent from the data, so a family interested in enrichment options should ask directly. The district brief, however, notes some broader changes. Springfield voters approved a zero-tax-rate-increase bond in 2023 that funds facility improvements across the district — HVAC, roofing, safety upgrades, classroom renovations — which likely affect Williams as well. Separately, the district launched a middle school redesign beginning in 2023 that restructured bell schedules and expanded electives, a change that will reach Williams students when they move up.
The housing market in the school’s ZIP code reflects a mix of affordability relative to national benchmarks. Home values and rents both posted modest year-over-year increases, typical of a stable market. The mortgage rate environment has been elevated, and rent costs consume a noticeable share of local income, but the area remains less expensive than many other parts of the country. Springfield itself has seen modest population growth since the 2020 census. Its economy is anchored by two large hospital systems, a collection of universities, and corporate headquarters for Bass Pro Shops and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Downtown is compact, with a historic square and a traditional grid, and the university campuses are integrated into that core rather than separated. The built environment is generally flat near the center.
For a family, the core consideration at Williams is academic: the test results point to a school where a large portion of students are not reaching grade-level standards in math or reading, and where the surrounding county’s schools tend to show stronger performance on the same measures. The school does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate applies. With limited reported data on special populations, programs, or staffing, a fuller picture would require a visit or a direct conversation with school leadership.
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