The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Williams El
Williams Elementary is a small elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the southeast Austin zip code. The enrollment is around that size for a primary school, with a majority of students coming from Hispanic backgrounds and a substantial share qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school's demographic profile reflects Austin's broader diversity and economic mix.
The most recent state test data shows Williams is working with students who face significant academic headwinds. In reading, third-grade proficiency sits around half, and it rises modestly in the upper grades. In math, proficiency drops below that baseline across third and fourth grade before edging up slightly by fifth grade. Science results in fifth grade are notably lower. These numbers place Williams below the midpoint of proficiency when compared against other districts in Travis County. The school also shows a meaningful gap between reading and math results; families should understand that Williams' math instruction is an area where a parent may want to look into further with the school about support strategies and how the school plans to address it.
The school is not Title I designated based on the available data, though the enrollment does carry a heavy concentration of economically disadvantaged students. Special education and English learner enrollment data were not available, so parents seeking specifics about those services should ask the school directly.
Williams recently underwent significant physical renewal. It is among the elementary campuses that received a complete modernization under Austin ISD's large bond package approved in 2022, giving it new facilities and updated building systems. The campus at Mairo Street is now substantially rebuilt, which matters for day-to-day school experience and signals the district's commitment to infrastructure in this corner of the city.
The broader context matters here. Austin ISD is navigating considerable change. In late 2024, voters approved a property tax increase to help close a budget deficit and fund staff raises, directly affecting household costs for families in the area. More significantly, the district approved a school consolidation plan in November 2025 that will close ten schools before the 2026-27 school year. Williams is not on the closure list, but the consolidation reshapes attendance boundaries and program placements across the district, so families should confirm how it may affect their assignment or school choice options going forward.
Austin itself continues rapid growth. The area has seen sustained housing demand, with home values in the 78748 zip code tracking moderately above state average and rents following suit. The neighborhood sits within reach of downtown and the tech corridor, though the school sits in a more residential section of the city. The broader metro is adding housing and residents at some of the fastest rates in the country, bringing both infrastructure investment and school capacity pressures that the district consolidation plan is now attempting to address.
For families looking at Williams, the key questions center on the reading and math performance gaps, the school's support structures for students working below grade level, and how the ongoing district changes may reshape school assignments or program access over the next few years. The new facility is an asset. But the test results signal that Williams serves a student population that will benefit from strong targeted instruction and that parents should have candid conversations with the school about its academic strategy and how it supports students who enter below grade level.
See more original research from School Decision →