The top reported proficiency rate is 61% in Math. The lowest is 47% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Mary C Williams Elementary
Mary C Williams Elementary is a neighborhood elementary school in Wilmington that serves kindergarten through fifth grade, enrolling a small student body with a composition that reflects the economic and demographic profile of the lower-income areas of the city. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school's enrollment is split roughly evenly between Hispanic and white students, with smaller shares of Black students and other groups represented. The school sits on Silver Lake Road in the outer neighborhoods of Wilmington, away from the downtown core.
The school's state test results from the most recent year show mixed performance. In math, slightly more than half of students tested in grades three through five scored at proficient level or above. In English language arts, that share drops below half, indicating that reading and writing proficiency lags behind mathematics. In science, about half of students tested reached proficient level. These results place the school below the performance ceiling but reflect the reality of a school serving a predominantly economically disadvantaged population. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, including what supports are available for students not yet meeting proficiency and what homework and after-school resources exist.
State assessment data was not available to measure how performance has trended over time, so it is unclear whether results are improving, stable, or declining. Similarly, data on the school's rate of students identified with disabilities or classified as English learners were not available, which limits a full picture of the school's specialized services. The school's website was not located in the available information, so a parent would need to contact the school directly for details on specific programs, classroom practices, teacher assignments, or parent involvement structures.
The neighborhood context matters here. Wilmington is a mid-sized coastal city anchored by Novant Health and UNCW, with a growing fintech sector, but the city and surrounding region are in a rapid growth phase that has strained housing affordability. Home values have roughly doubled over the past decade, and a recent survey found a substantial share of Wilmington households cost-burdened by housing costs. The school's catchment area appears to be among the less affluent neighborhoods, reflected in the enrollment composition and the very high free-lunch-eligible share.
At the district level, New Hanover County Schools is moving through a significant period of change. A major school facilities bond referendum is scheduled for November 2026 that would fund replacement of two other elementary schools, a new elementary in the rapidly growing Riverlights master-planned community, and upgrades to the high school. The outcome will shape both school infrastructure and property-tax bills across the district for years. The district has also recently voted to add local African American history, including the history of the Seabreeze Resort, into the curriculum, and tightened cell phone policies to address cyberbullying.
For a family considering this school, the key questions center on whether the lower English language arts proficiency aligns with their child's learning needs, what specialized support is available for students not meeting grade-level standards, and how active parent involvement opportunities are. The school is a neighborhood public elementary with no magnet or specialized programming noted, serving a working-class community where economic challenges are pronounced.
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