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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41%
Math vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,357

Bill L. Williams Elementary — Students at Bill L. Williams Elementary score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.4%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 43.1%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2024
Math
30.8%
ELA
41.1%

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.

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,028/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Panama-Buena Vista Union
District Enrollment
19,369
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,644
District Rank
#20 of 25

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.

Read our full methodology

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