The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in Math. The lowest is 57% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Gray Elem.
Gray Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in the Springfield R-XII school district, located in the southwestern part of the city. Because it is an elementary school that ends at grade four, state testing data are available only for grades three and four, and there is no graduation rate to report. The school’s overall proficiency index – a combined measure across tested subjects and grades – places it in the top quartile relative to other elementary schools in Greene County. In third-grade math, a clear majority of students demonstrated proficiency on the Missouri Assessment Program, and fourth-grade math results were similarly strong. English language arts performance in third grade also showed a majority meeting the proficiency benchmark. Fourth-grade ELA results were not reported, which often happens when the tested group is small or when data are suppressed for privacy reasons; a parent may want to ask the school directly about that subject’s trends.
Enrollment is moderate for a primary grade band. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of students who identify as Asian, Hispanic, Black, two or more races, or American Indian or Alaska Native. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a figure that is below the typical rate for the district and county, suggesting a lower concentration of economic disadvantage than many nearby schools. Data on students with individualized education plans and English learners were not available, so it is not possible to assess the school’s special education or language support services from this record alone.
Gray Elementary sits in an area of Springfield where home values are above the statewide benchmark, though below the national average. The typical home in the school’s ZIP code is priced at a level that puts it above most Missouri communities, and monthly rents follow a similar pattern. Springfield itself is a mid-sized regional hub with a diversified economy anchored by healthcare systems, distribution and logistics, higher education, and corporate headquarters such as Bass Pro Shops and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The city’s population has grown modestly in recent years, and its housing market reflects continued demand.
For families considering this school, the district has recently invested in facility upgrades through a bond issue that did not increase property taxes, and it has also redesigned its middle school programming, though Gray’s students will not encounter those changes for several years. The school’s academic profile is its clearest strength: across the grades and subjects where results are reported, performance is above the county median and among the top quarter of Greene County elementary schools. The combination of comparatively low poverty enrollment, strong test results, and a setting in a part of Springfield with relatively high housing costs suggests a school that serves a predominantly middle-income, academically solid student body. Parents looking for an elementary school with consistent math and reading achievement and a less economically diverse peer environment than many other Springfield publics may find Gray aligns well with their priorities. The gaps in available data – such as missing fourth-grade ELA results and no breakdown of special education or English learner populations – are points worth exploring through a direct visit or conversation with school staff.
See more original research from School Decision →