Skip to main content

Urbana School District 116

Stronger Together. Leading for the Future.

Dr. Williams Community School

A large group of people, many wearing white t-shirts, stand together in an outdoor covered walkway.

Dr. Williams

A Community School

At Dr. Williams Elementary, the district’s mission is the heartbeat of our school and how we love and support our kids every single day.


Our district promises “to create a supportive community to equip and nurture all learners to achieve success.” By bringing the community school model to Dr. Williams, we are looking out for the whole picture of our kids' lives. We want to make sure they are healthy, happy, well-fed, and safe, because when a child feels completely taken care of, they are truly ready to learn and grow. As a community school, we offer everything from healthcare and counseling, to fun after-school programs and adult classes.

Our Differentiators

A community school is a public school and welcoming neighborhood hub, supporting the whole child by offering students and families wraparound services. These extra resources include healthcare, counseling, and after-school programs. Guided by our district motto, "Stronger Together. Leading for the Future," we live out our four core values every day:

Belonging at DPW

We celebrate the beautiful diversity of our student body. Every child who walks through our doors—no matter their background or learning style—knows they are an important part of the DPW family.

Community at DPW

We don't expect families to do it alone. We are turning our school into a neighborhood anchor, bringing in doctors, counselors, and local organizations to support students and families.

Integrity at DPW

We promise to be open, honest, and accountable with you about our goals, our challenges, and the steps we are taking to improve our attendance and academic performance.

Pride at DPW

We are incredibly proud to be Williams Wildcats. We celebrate every victory, big or small, and loudly cheer on the rich history and achievements of our amazing students.

Community School Commitments

At Urbana School District 116, we want to do more than just build a school where young people thrive—we want to create opportunities that help the entire East Urbana neighborhood thrive. The goal is simple: remove the outside worries so kids can focus on learning. We make this happen through four main commitments:

Wrapping Around Our Students

Connecting families with doctors, counseling, healthy food, and daily essentials so kids can focus on learning.

Extended Learning

Offering exciting after-school and summer programs where kids can solve real-world problems and get extra homework help.

Active Family & Neighborhood Engagement

Turning our school into a neighborhood center with adult classes, workshops, and a seat at the table for parents as equal partners.

Shared Leadership

Building trust by making sure educators, parents, and students all have a voice in shaping our school's future.