Willard Elementary School

370 West Spring Street

School District

U-46
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

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 parent on November 14, 2023

My son has been bullied here on numerous occasions and the principal will not communicate until the end of the day or if at all. My son is in 2nd grade and was stabbed in the chest with a pencil in the bathroom by a student who has behavior disorders. The principals “helper” said it was a minor injury, however it is not minor to my son or how he is now feeling towards this school. The student magically got a pencil but according to the teacher he is not allowed to have pencils for this reason. When asking what steps we can take to help these children the only answered received was separating them during recess and lunch. No mom wants to have a call at 3pm stating their son was stabbed with a pencil around 1130am or noon! Why are we waiting to reach out to parents? It totally feels unsafe. The principal is too worried about being friends with the students then disciplinary actions.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2019

The leadership is good, however communication is lacking with teachers. If you are an involved parent and than you will have no problems at this school
Submitted by teacher on December 08, 2015

Willard School is a great neighborhood school! The community is full of caring families. The staff works hard to meet the needs of each student and to plan engaging learning experiences!
Submitted by teacher on June 15, 2015

I love teaching at Willard! We have had a lot of staff and admin changes the past couple of years, and the new principal is amazing. She's responsive and kind, and she already has developed a great rapport with students and staff in the few months that she's been there. The grade level teams all work really well together, and we have been so fortunate to receive grants to incorporate technology into student learning. As far as splits, there's only been one in three years. This is not a school decision, but a district decision based on enrollment, and the funding has nothing to do with technology spending. The PTO does a great job of planning events and keeping everyone informed. It's a great place to work and learn!
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2014

We are new to the area. I found it a little odd that there aren't more options for things like open enrollment in the district and that you have no choice but to go to the school you're assigned by address. At Willard, however, I have been pleased by each of my daughter's teachers, amounts of homework (not too much, but not so little that I wonder about what they are learning), the comments they come home with, and the chances we get to connect with other activities like after school open gym and karate. They are making friends and enjoying their new school!
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2014

I have one major problem with this school. They are constantly combining grades in classrooms like 4/5 grade and 5/6 grade classes. I just don't think this is fair to the students especially the kids in the older grade. You can't really complain to anyone because it is not the teacher's decision and the superintendents never care. I just wish they would hire more teachers instead of buying computer equipment like I Pads that the kids barely use. No more split classes please, if I had the money I would move or enroll my kids in private schools.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2013

We are new to this area and school. I'm not sure how I feel about this school, or the district. I don't feel the teacher cares at all. Playing favorites, is not my idea of a good teacher. I hope that its just this teacher, and things will improve. Hopefully the 5 th grade teachers are better than the 4th.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2011

I an amazed at the reviews for Willard as well! I have 3 children that go there and I am scared every day of what may happen while they are there. My oldest son has had to go to the ER from school 4 times over the past 5 years do to no supervision while in recess, and I have had to replace my daughters glasses twice for the same reason! The women that are suppose to be watching them stand around in a big circle yapping letting the kids do whatever they want. I'm also very disappointed with the quality of education they are receiving. My oldest has ADHD and it seems as though they just pass on by him ever since he started there when he needed help, and now he is way behind in math because of it! I can't wait to move out of this area so I can get my kids out of that school.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2011

I can not believe the outstanding reviews I have read.. I have 3 children who have attended this school and I CAN NOT wait for my youngest who is 8 to be switching schools this fall. The poor secretary is the only person at that school with even remotely a nice personality. The faculty at this school could care less about ANY of these children, or maybe I just missed the "in crowd". When a teacher at this school put her hands on my child, I was told by the principal that they had to dismiss the offense because my daughter used the word "hit" opposed to what actually happened was she was "shoved" Principals words, not mine.