Williams Elementary School

1150 Rajkovich Way

School District

San Jose Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
Type

public

School Map for San Jose Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on December 10, 2024

Williams gave me the best experience and foundation I could have asked for. Every single teacher was amazing and the school administration and yard duties really cared for the students. Teachers spent a lot of time making sure no kid was left behind and administrators were constantly interacting with students and teachers. Yes the facilities weren't the best, yes they frequently ask for donations, but it does not go to waste. SJUSD dedicates up to 70% more money per student to lower-performing schools but the parents really make all the difference. It takes a village and the Williams community is the best elementary school for your kids.
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2023

My children previously attended the nearby elementary school, we now love Williams Elementary. This school offers a lot of engaging activities and numerous field trips for the kids. Additionally, the overall school atmosphere is more focused and conducive to learning.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2023

We love Williams. The teachers put in a lot of effort into making learning fun. They plan activities that extend learning outside of textbooks. The PTA has been revamped and does a great job supporting students, parents, and teachers.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2023

Very good school and a lot of fun activities. My daughter used to be at private school but now she loves this school more. I am happy and surprised the teacher are with mater degrees. Yes donation is asked but it is tax credit. We are happy to do it.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2022

First year at this school. This school asks for donation for every signal thing and unlike other bay area public elementaryAlso teacher we interact is not responding to parents any concern. Plus lots of homework are given but with no instructions how to do it. These are elementary kids, they need some directions. Plus yard duty is poor, kids get hurt and some bullying are there. No body to check on kids
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2020

Teachers and parents are so well cooperating together. And kids are educated well blananced.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2018

There are some super nice families here but there are also a lot of very clique arrogant parents. It is weighted too much toward the clique parents. If you belong to an ethnic group that is large enough and your child is very academic, then you will be fine. You may even love it. But if you don't, you and your child may really get the cold shoulder. The school staff will try some to improve the situation but their effort is way too little. We are now in a different environment. Our new school home is amazing. A very inclusive loving environment can be achieved. Our new principal simply doesn't put up with abusive teachers. One of the staff members at our new school said the principal is brilliant and she really challenges the staff's thinking. William's principal and the school district are just too lazy, complacent, and arrogant. They think they already know it all. They think they have achieved it all. But they haven't. In certain respects, this school is a real hell hole.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

I had several negative experience from this school from principal and teachers. I felt heavy discrimination based on who you are where are you from they classify the parents and behave accordingly. They do welcome very warmly some "parents" and they ignore the others. last year one of the teacher classified my child as immigrant based on my appearance even though my child born in here, I am US citizen disappointing very disappointing. School looks like academically strong but parents are doing all the work it is not schools success it is parents success.I tried to reach principle several times with some concerns but unfortunately he did not respond my email final one day I went to see him simply he walked away he said he is busy. Over all very disappointing school, staff and the principal.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2016

We had a real culture shock when we started school.Our previous school never asked for donations like this school and its parent groups.Minimum donation of hundreds of dollars per child per year was very strongly requested at the beginning of school. There were also other multiple donation requests that go over a hundred per student...for teachers to buy classroom supplies, for room parents to buy crafts and party supplies etc. There are at least 4 parties planned per year! These monetary donations do not include food and some items.Apparently for some reasons, the school does not get enough funding from the substantial property taxes..to fund PE, music, art, science etc. So, the school turn to parents for money naturally.Parents and students are pressurized to donate. The pressure also depends on the group of parents and teachers. A parent was "shamed" by other parents and teacher, because he did not donate as much as requested (to buy supplies not related to academics use), through emails and teacher talking to parent about it in front of other parents and the whole class of students. Of course, the affected child overheard the loud conversation and asked the parent about it at home. This is quite a shame this could happen in a public school. This neighborhood and vicinity are made up of mostly millions dollar and old homes, but not all parents are high income earners or have innate wealth. This public school, leadership, and some parents fail to realize and respect that some families simply may not agree with certain things; do not grow money on trees and cannot give several golden eggs at the drop of a hat. This is quite a culture to experience.So, I am saying this to prepare any parents who are thinking of moving to this neighborhood based on school etc....and think very carefully, if the school, culture and leadership is a good fit for the family.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2015

My kid is going to Williams from last 3 years and i would call it an average school. The high APIs are probably due the efforts parents put into their kids education. I have no complaint about teachers as such as some are really good but few don't meet your expectations. This school might thrive academically as they are more Asians living and moving into these area who have same attitude as parents in cupertino. I am rating this school low as i haven't seen anything especial to call it great school. Every other month they keep asking huge donation by means of different activities. I would be happy to see overall growth of kids and not just academics.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2014

My son has been going to Williams since Kindergarten. He is now in 3rd grade. I cannot say enough great things about Williams. The current principal is fantastic. Last year my son's 2nd grade teacher hosted an event "Flashlight Reading". She invited all the parents to bring a flashlight to class on a Friday, and read to their child under the flashlight. At the beginning of the event, the teacher has all the parents in one room talking to them about how important it is to read to the kids, while the students are in another room adjacent and the principal was playing guitar for the kids. This is just one of the many events I have seen the principal being involved in and genuinely enjoyed spending time w the students. The teachers my son has had the last few years are genuinely interested and cared for the students. Even though there are 30 students in class, but the teachers are very experienced and they all managed to know my son as an individual and work w us the parents as a team to help my son grow in the areas where he needs encouragement. The Wins foundation organized by the parents is amazing. They provide excellent support for the school.
Submitted by other on August 16, 2014

Continuing from last review. and they all seem to consider the Williams kids the "smart" ones. So basically, the academics focus works. As long as your kid has friends, hobbies, and some extra-curricular activities [Try Drama or Yearbook], you should be fine. -Teachers Generally good or great. Some bad and some awesome, like any other school. They try their best to teach kids while still doing fun things. -Food This is the worst part of Williams. Seriously. Everything with a bun is soggy [like, falling apart soggy], meat's burnt, snacks are stale, everything's tasteless [and if not, it tastes like cardboard, glue, or various other non-food substances] and whole grain. The fruits and vegetables are okay, if only because they are hard to mess up. Nothing sugary whatsoever. The focus on "healthy" has ruined hot lunch. If you can, pack lunch. Seriously. -Overall: Good, but not great. Horrible food. Lots of academics [and Common Core doesn't help, eurgh]. Don't sign your kid up for math camp. 4/5. -Former student
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2014

The families at Williams are very serious about their children's education. There are high expectations on these kids and because of that the Williams students are going to do well and be successful. Sounds good, right? Well, they aren't learning it in their classrooms at Williams. Instead, parents are spending hours after school teaching what should be taught in the classroom, but class size is so huge it isn't possible. Parents are also hiring private tutors, and sending their kids to academic summer schools & camps. The teachers are as good and bad as at any school. Thanks to Williams Wins Foundation there is loads of fundraising to help support extra curriculum activities, but anything other than strong academics is really an after thought. I am disappointed that Williams kids are already under immense pressure & an intense academic culture. Aren't there plenty of years for that? There is no love for learning going on at Williams, no creativity and no passion at this school. I was drawn to the high API score but I wish I had explored other options too. I have heard great things about Graystone, Simonds, & Los Alamitos, which all have high APIs but more focus on the whole child.