John Will Elementary School

John Will Elementary School in Mobile, AL, is a PK-5 school serving 549 students in a high-poverty area, where nearly 9 in 10 students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school currently holds a 1-star rating and ranks in the bottom quarter of Alabama elementary schools, though it has shown meaningful improvement over the past year.

Academically, the school shows a clear split between subjects. English language arts is a relative strength—especially in 5th grade, where 60.2% of students are proficient, nearly matching the district average. Math, however, is a significant challenge, with proficiency rates ranging from just 16.9% to 22.7% across grades—roughly half the district average and well below state benchmarks. Science scores are also low, with only 24.3% of 4th graders proficient compared to 45.8% districtwide. The school's performance for African American students is notably stronger than its overall ranking, suggesting certain strategies are working for this group. However, outcomes for homeless students are a critical concern, ranking in the bottom 17th percentile statewide.

There are encouraging signs of progress. Chronic absenteeism has dropped dramatically from 36% in 2022-2023 to just 13.6% in 2024-2025—a remarkable turnaround that likely contributed to academic gains across most subjects. The school also rebounded from a historic low in 2024-2025, improving from the 6th to the 17th percentile. Compared to nearby schools, John Will performs similarly to peers like Forest Hill Elementary and Orchard Elementary, which serve similar demographics. The contrast with Old Shell Road Magnet School, just 3.5 miles away, is stark—that school ranks in the 99th percentile with 94.8% math proficiency. While John Will still has significant work ahead, particularly in math, the attendance gains and recent academic rebound suggest the school is moving in the right direction within the Mobile County district.