Below Average
#8662 of 9,533 schools in CA
Bill L. Williams Elementary
Elementary School · Panama-Buena Vista Union
5601 Harris Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93313
Enrollment
962
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
962
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#126 of 145
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,165 of 5,817
In district
#20 of 25
Panama-Buena Vista Union
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Bill L. Williams Elementary
Bill L. Williams Elementary serves 962 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Bakersfield, California. With 37 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26:1, providing education for a substantial student body in this large city setting.
The school currently ranks in the 42nd percentile among California elementary schools, holding the #5522 position out of 9566 schools statewide. Academic performance shows room for growth, with 41% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 31% reaching proficiency in mathematics across grade levels. These results reflect opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic support.
Located on Harris Road in the 93313 zip code area, Bill L. Williams Elementary sits within a community where the median household income reaches $96,149 and median home values are $320,200. The surrounding neighborhood of nearly 60,000 residents maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.5%, though with 20% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher, there's diversity in educational backgrounds among families.
The school serves as an important educational anchor in this established Bakersfield community, providing elementary education in a setting that reflects both the opportunities and challenges of California's Central Valley region.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Bill L. Williams Elementary is 26:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Bill L. Williams Elementary — Students at Bill L. Williams Elementary score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.9/10.
How Bill L. Williams Elementary Compares
See how Bill L. Williams Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 30.34% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 41.05% (2024).
Location
5601 Harris Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93313
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bill L. Williams Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. W. A. Kendrick Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Louise Sandrini Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Panama Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas J. Miller Elementary Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Roy W. Loudon Elementary Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Donald E. Suburu Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 2.6 |
| Louise Sandrini Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Berkshire Elementary Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Ridgeview High Bakersfield | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Charles H. Castle Elementary Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Stonecreek Junior High Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Fred L. Thompson Junior High Bakersfield | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| O. J. Actis Junior High Bakersfield | 2.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Granite Pointe Elementary Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Stine Elementary Bakersfield | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Panama Elementary Bakersfield | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Connections Academy By Pearson Bakersfield | 2.3 mi | — |
| Laurelglen Elementary Bakersfield | 2.4 mi | 4.1 |
| W. A. Kendrick Elementary Bakersfield | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Tevis Junior High Bakersfield | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Kern Workforce 2000 Academy Bakersfield | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Valley Achievement Center Bakersfield | 2.7 mi | — |
| VALLEY ACHIEVEMENT CENTER Bakersfield | 2.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93313 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,396
Median Home Value
$349,800
Median Rent
$1,857/mo
Population
60,331
College Educated
21.5%
Homeownership
77.7%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
31.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bill L. Williams Elementary has a median household income of $93,396. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $349,800, with a median rent of $1,857/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| American Elementary Bakersfield, CA | 4.2 |
| Andrew Jackson Elementary Indio, CA | 4.2 |
| Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs, CA | 4.2 |
| Fairmont Charter Elementary Vacaville, CA | 4.2 |
| Freedom Elementary Modesto, CA | 4.2 |
| Grant Elementary Long Beach, CA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bill L. Williams Elementary
What grades does Bill L. Williams Elementary serve?
Bill L. Williams Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Bill L. Williams Elementary?
Bill L. Williams Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 962 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bill L. Williams Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bill L. Williams Elementary is 26:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bill L. Williams Elementary rank in CA?
Bill L. Williams Elementary is ranked #8662 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Bill L. Williams Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bill L. Williams Elementary has a composite rating of 4.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bill L. Williams Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bill L. Williams Elementary has 33.4% math proficiency and 43.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bill L. Williams Elementary a charter school?
No, Bill L. Williams Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bill L. Williams Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bill L. Williams Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bill L. Williams Elementary?
78.8% of students at Bill L. Williams Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 962
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 837-8070
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Panama-Buena Vista Union- District Enrollment
- 19,369
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,644
- District Rank
- #20 of 25
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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