Watson Elementary School

Summary:

Watson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Little Rock, Arkansas, serving 416 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Little Rock School District, which is ranked 189 out of 252 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Watson Elementary School consistently ranks among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Arkansas, with proficiency rates in core academic subjects significantly lower than the district and state averages. For example, in 2023-2024, only 9.6% of Watson students were proficient or better in ATLAS/English Language Arts, compared to 26.1% in the district and 33.8% statewide. The school's student population is predominantly low-income, with 93.03% to 99.77% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch over the past three years. This high poverty rate is often correlated with lower academic achievement.

When comparing Watson Elementary School to other nearby schools in the Little Rock School District, it is clear that Watson is one of the lowest-performing schools in the area. Schools like Otter Creek Elementary, Wakefield Elementary, and Chicot Elementary have significantly higher proficiency rates in core academic subjects, as well as higher overall rankings within the state. This suggests that factors beyond just poverty, such as school leadership, teaching quality, and resource allocation, may be contributing to the stark differences in academic performance.

Detail:

Public K-5

7000 Valley Dr
Little Rock, AR 72209

(501) 447-6800

District: Little Rock School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
491^st of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,571

Students who attend Watson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Cloverdale Middle School
High:	Little Rock Southwest High School

Student/teacher ratio: 20.3

Number of students: 416

Racial breakdown:

African American:

61.1%

Hispanic:

36.3%

White:

2.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 93%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Watson Elementary School ranks worse than 98.8% of elementary schools in Arkansas. It also ranks 21^st among 23 ranked elementary schools in the Little Rock School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 5.09. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (61.1%), Hispanic (36.3%), White (2.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 93% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Watson Elementary School is 20.3, which is the highest among 23 elementary schools in the Little Rock School District! (See more...)

Compare Watson Elementary School employs 20.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Watson Elementary School is $10,571. 20 elementary schools in the Little Rock School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Watson Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Little Rock School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Little Rock School District 189^th of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Watson Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AR State Percentile
2010	2.65	446^th	457	2.4%
2011	3.75	459^th	471	2.5%
2012	4.68	456^th	468	2.6%
2013	0.99	473^rd	476	0.6%
2014	3.86	464^th	471	1.5%
2015	9.25	454^th	466	2.6%
2016	4.60	493^rd	494	0.2%
2019	1.53	488^th	488	0.0%
2021	3.17	494^th	496	0.4%
2022	2.02	486^th	487	0.2%
2023	3.25	490^th	492	0.4%
2024	5.09	491^st	497	1.2%

See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Enrollment information for Watson Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2008	17	369	0	73	1	n/a	n/a	460
2009	17	344	1	90	1	n/a	n/a	453
2010	18	305	0	91	1	0	0	415
2011	15	278	0	108	2	0	0	403
2012	6	306	0	97	0	0	0	409
2013	8	290	0	122	0	0	0	420
2014	10	246	1	126	0	0	0	383
2015	12	261	0	137	1	0	2	413
2016	17	243	1	147	1	0	6	415
2017	16	292	0	189	1	0	6	504
2018	8	343	1	187	1	0	3	543
2019	10	337	1	142	1	0	3	494
2020	13	310	0	167	2	1	1	494
2021	6	262	0	150	1	0	0	419
2022	13	260	0	167	1	0	1	442
2023	9	254	0	151	1	0	1	416

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Watson Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2008	460	40.0	11.5	96.5
2009	453	32.0	14.2	91.8
2010	415	31.2	14.3	95.7
2011	403	28.0	14.3	95.8
2012	409	22.0	18.5	95.8
2013	420	20.8	20.1	99.3
2014	383	21.1	18.1	73.4
2015	413	26.0	15.8	93.9
2016	415	27.0	15.3	99.3
2017	504	34.2	14.7	40.1
2018	543	32.4	16.7	20.6
2019	494	27.5	17.9	92.5
2020	494	27.5	17.9	100
2021	419	22.3	18.7	99.5
2022	442	22.3	19.7	99.8
2023	416	20.4	20.3	93

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Watson Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2008	460	40.0	11.5	96.5
2009	453	32.0	14.2	91.8
2010	415	31.2	14.3	95.7
2011	403	28.0	14.3	95.8
2012	409	22.0	18.5	95.8
2013	420	20.8	20.1	99.3
2014	383	21.1	18.1	73.4
2015	413	26.0	15.8	93.9
2016	415	27.0	15.3	99.3
2017	504	34.2	14.7	40.1
2018	543	32.4	16.7	20.6
2019	494	27.5	17.9	92.5
2020	494	27.5	17.9	100
2021	419	22.3	18.7	99.5
2022	442	22.3	19.7	99.8
2023	416	20.4	20.3	93

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Watson Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,627 (15.4%)	$8,944 (84.6%)	$10,571

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Watson Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 488^th of 488 Elementary schools	Ranks 490^th of 492 Elementary schools	0.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Watson Elementary School)	27.7	32.5	4.8%
3rd Grade English (Little Rock School District)	61.5	51.9	9.6%
3rd Grade English (Arkansas)	72.4	62.6	9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Watson Elementary School)	11.7	12.2	0.5%
3rd Grade Math (Little Rock School District)	51.3	40.7	10.6%
3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)	62.1	54.4	7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Watson Elementary School)	4.3	6.8	2.5%
3rd Grade Science (Little Rock School District)	30.4	26.9	3.5%
3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)	39.4	35	4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Watson Elementary School)	8.5	9.5	1%
3rd Grade Reading (Little Rock School District)	30.9	26.6	4.3%
3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)	38.3	32.2	6.1%
4th Grade English (Watson Elementary School)	23.3	29.4	6.1%
4th Grade English (Little Rock School District)	57.1	51.8	5.3%
4th Grade English (Arkansas)	69.6	63.3	6.3%
4th Grade Math (Watson Elementary School)	11	10.3	0.7%
4th Grade Math (Little Rock School District)	41.6	35.6	6%
4th Grade Math (Arkansas)	53.8	48.6	5.2%
4th Grade Science (Watson Elementary School)	2.8	7.5	4.7%
4th Grade Science (Little Rock School District)	32.9	30	2.9%
4th Grade Science (Arkansas)	42.3	38.5	3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Watson Elementary School)	6.9	8.8	1.9%
4th Grade Reading (Little Rock School District)	37.7	35.5	2.2%
4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	45.3	42	3.3%
5th Grade English (Watson Elementary School)	37.4	41.6	4.2%
5th Grade English (Little Rock School District)	62.3	59.8	2.5%
5th Grade English (Arkansas)	73.3	70.2	3.1%
5th Grade Math (Watson Elementary School)	17.3	3.6	13.7%
5th Grade Math (Little Rock School District)	38	24.2	13.8%
5th Grade Math (Arkansas)	49.2	40.7	8.5%
5th Grade Science (Watson Elementary School)	9.4	7.1	2.3%
5th Grade Science (Little Rock School District)	31	23.6	7.4%
5th Grade Science (Arkansas)	40.7	34.6	6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Watson Elementary School)	9.3	7.2	2.1%
5th Grade Reading (Little Rock School District)	32.7	28.4	4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	41	36.8	4.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	494	416	15.8%
African American	337	254	24.6%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	1	0	100%
Hispanic	142	151	6.3%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	10	9	10%
Two or More Races	3	1	66.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	92.5%	93%	0.5%

Schools Near Watson Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2024)							ATLAS Reading (2024)							ATLAS Mathematics (2024)							ATLAS Algebra (2024)		ATLAS Science (2024)							ATLAS Biology (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading 7th Grade	ATLAS Reading 8th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 7th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 8th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 8th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science 7th Grade	ATLAS Science 8th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	ATLAS Biology 8th Grade	ATLAS Biology All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Watson Elementary School	Public	K-5	7000 Valley Dr	Little Rock	72209	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-6800	416	20	20.3	93.0%	9 (2.2%)	254 (61.1%)	151 (36.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	5.1	491^st of 497 public elementary schools	1.2%		3.3	490^th of 492 public elementary schools	0.4%	1	17.3	5.0	6.5				9.6	13.4	5.0	6.4				8.2	5.4	3.8	10.3				6.4			10.7	0.0	5.1				5.2			$10,571	$1,627	$8,944
Exalt Academy Of Southwest Little Rock	Public, Charter	K-8	6111 W 83rd St	Little Rock	72209	Pulaski County	Exalt Academy Of Southwest Little Rock	Yes	No	No	Yes	(501) 568-3279	638	64	9.9	96.4%	5 (0.8%)	113 (17.7%)	511 (80.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.4%)	10.9	463^rd of 497 public elementary schools	6.8%		7.7	466^th of 492 public elementary schools	5.3%	3	19.8	11.6	14.0	19.7	14.1	24.6	17.1	19.7	11.5	15.2	19.7	15.5	27.5	18.0	9.9	7.7	17.8	14.1	14.1	5.3	11.7	83.3	83.3	11.1	7.7	12.7	15.5	9.9	19.7	12.4	100.0	100.0	$11,033	$1,412	$9,620
Chicot Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	11100 Chicot Rd	Mabelvale	72103	Saline County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-7000	867	46	18.8	91.1%	43 (5.0%)	479 (55.2%)	340 (39.2%)	2 (0.2%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18.6	431^st of 497 public elementary schools	13.3%		12.7	443^rd of 492 public elementary schools	10.0%	12	26.3	26.3	21.5				24.8	26.3	21.1	20.3				22.7	8.4	19.0	19.1				15.3			12.6	17.9	11.9				14.2			$13,840	$4,351	$9,489
Mabelvale Elementary School	Public	K-5	9401 Mabelvale Cut Off Rd	Mabelvale	72103	Saline County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-5400	520	27	19.2	90.6%	36 (6.9%)	329 (63.3%)	151 (29.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	6.1	483^rd of 497 public elementary schools	2.8%		5.7	476^th of 492 public elementary schools	3.3%	7	12.7	8.2	10.1				10.0	12.5	8.1	11.4				10.5	9.5	10.6	7.6				9.2			14.3	6.0	5.0				8.0			$11,278	$2,425	$8,853
Wakefield Elementary School	Public	K-5	75 Westminister Dr	Little Rock	72209	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-6600	481	27	17.8	97.3%	20 (4.2%)	278 (57.8%)	176 (36.6%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	24.1	401^st of 497 public elementary schools	19.3%		20.1	409^th of 492 public elementary schools	16.9%	8	19.7	14.1	32.8				21.6	18.3	16.5	32.8				21.9	21.1	35.9	29.7				29.1			8.5	18.0	19.1				15.1			$10,526	$1,934	$8,592
Baseline Elementary School	Public	K-5	3623 Baseline Rd	Little Rock	72209	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-3700	281	18	15.8	95.4%	15 (5.3%)	122 (43.4%)	140 (49.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.7%)	5.2	489^th of 497 public elementary schools	1.6%		4.6	483^rd of 492 public elementary schools	1.8%	6	2.4	4.6	4.5				3.9	4.7	6.8	4.4				5.3	11.6	20.5	6.7				12.9			4.7	9.1	4.4				6.1			$15,258	$6,162	$9,096
Western Hills Elementary School	Public	K-5	4901 Western Hills Ave	Little Rock	72204	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-6900	287	16	17.9	89.2%	15 (5.2%)	206 (71.8%)	65 (22.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5.1	490^th of 497 public elementary schools	1.4%		5.4	478^th of 492 public elementary schools	2.8%	12	12.2	4.4	2.6				6.8	14.3	4.4	2.6				7.6	16.3	0.0	5.1				7.5			12.2	0.0	5.1				6.0			$13,214	$2,620	$10,593
Robert L. Davis Elementary School	Public	K-5	12001 County Line Rd	Alexander	72002	Saline County	Bryant School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 455-5672	491	30	16.3	70.3%	219 (44.6%)	141 (28.7%)	93 (18.9%)	6 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (6.3%)	44	289^th of 497 public elementary schools	41.9%		53.3	245^th of 492 public elementary schools	50.2%	44	27.8	28.6	33.3				30.1	31.9	28.6	34.3				31.5	34.7	37.1	39.4				37.4			27.8	34.3	25.3				29.3			$8,052	$1,222	$6,829
Bale Elementary School	Public	K-5	6501 W 32nd St	Little Rock	72204	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-3600	403	24	16.7	93.5%	24 (6.0%)	304 (75.4%)	65 (16.1%)	1 (0.2%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	5.7	488^th of 497 public elementary schools	1.8%		5.2	479^th of 492 public elementary schools	2.6%	9	8.1	5.0	12.7				8.9	10.2	5.0	15.5				10.6	8.1	5.0	9.8				7.8			8.2	3.3	9.9				7.2			$11,812	$2,622	$9,190
Otter Creek Elementary School	Public	K-5	16000 Otter Creek Parkway	Little Rock	72209	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-5800	323	17	18.9	84.8%	27 (8.4%)	195 (60.4%)	94 (29.1%)	2 (0.6%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	16.2	436^th of 497 public elementary schools	12.3%		14.5	431^st of 492 public elementary schools	12.4%	5	22.0	14.1	20.8				18.6	28.0	17.2	20.8				21.6	20.0	12.5	18.9				16.8			18.0	14.0	15.1				15.6			$12,106	$2,402	$9,704

Frequently Asked Questions about Watson Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Watson Elementary School?

Students at Watson Elementary School are 61% African American, 36% Hispanic, 2% White.

What schools do graduates of Watson Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Watson Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Cloverdale Middle School
High : Little Rock Southwest High School

Is Watson Elementary School a good school?

Watson Elementary School ranks in the bottom 1.2% of Arkansas elementary schools.

How many students attend Watson Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 416 students attended Watson Elementary School.

What district is Watson Elementary School in?

Little Rock School District

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.