Watson Chapel Junior High School

Summary:

Watson Chapel Junior High School is a public middle school in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 463 students. The school is part of the Watson Chapel School District, which is ranked 239 out of 252 school districts in Arkansas and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Watson Chapel Junior High School consistently ranks in the bottom 10-15% of Arkansas middle schools, with significantly below-average performance on standardized tests across all subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the percentage of students proficient or better in English Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, and Science ranged from 9.1% to 14.2%, compared to the state averages of 32.1% to 36.4%. The school's 100% free and reduced-price lunch rate indicates that all students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which may contribute to the academic underperformance.

In comparison, the nearby White Hall Middle School, which is part of the White Hall School District, performs significantly better than Watson Chapel Junior High School on standardized tests, with proficiency rates ranging from 23.6% to 53.1% across different subjects and grade levels. The White Hall School District is also ranked higher than the Watson Chapel School District, with a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 3900 Camden Rd
       Pine Bluff, AR  71603


(870) 879-4420

District: Watson Chapel School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
313th of 335 Arkansas Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,389 Help


Students who attend Watson Chapel Junior High School usually attend:

High:    Watson Chapel High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.1 Help
Number of students:  463

Racial breakdown:

African American:
87.9%
White:
6.3%
Hispanic:
3.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Watson Chapel Junior High School ranks worse than 93.4% of middle schools in Arkansas. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 10.29. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (87.9%), White (6.3%), Hispanic (3.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Watson Chapel Junior High School is 12.1. (See more...)
Help
Compare Watson Chapel Junior High School employs 38 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Watson Chapel Junior High School is $9,389.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Watson Chapel Junior High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Watson Chapel Junior High School 313th of 335 Arkansas public middle schools. (See Watson Chapel Junior High School in the ranking list.)

Watson Chapel School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Watson Chapel School District 239th of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Watson Chapel Junior High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 16.51 191st 208 8.2%
2006 10.49 193rd 206 6.3%
2007 25.08 197th 225 12.4%
2008 19.74 197th 223 11.7%
2009 22.76 208th 240 13.3%
2010 18.79 226th 254 11.0%
2011 10.66 245th 264 7.2%
2012 13.69 242nd 265 8.7%
2013 9.77 261st 278 6.1%
2014 12.68 258th 280 7.9%
2015 11.87 268th 275 2.5%
2016 9.47 302nd 312 3.2%
2017 15.77 284th 315 9.8%
2018 10.67 293rd 318 7.9%
2019 9.01 300th 319 6.0%
2021 7.62 308th 330 6.7%
2022 6.46 301st 318 5.3%
2023 8.07 310th 330 6.1%
2024 10.29 313th 335 6.6%
See the entire list of Arkansas Middle School Rankings!

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

Watson Chapel Junior High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Enrollment information for Watson Chapel Junior High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 483 409 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 897
1989 473 398 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 871
1990 456 391 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 847
1991 485 412 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 897
1992 449 405 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 856
1993 458 417 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 878
1994 461 439 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 903
1995 440 469 4 0 0 n/a n/a 0 913
1996 440 469 4 0 0 n/a n/a 0 913
1997 414 447 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 863
1998 382 444 6 0 0 n/a n/a 0 832
1999 407 434 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 841
2000 396 466 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 862
2001 364 471 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 837
2002 367 480 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 847
2003 367 480 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 847
2004 383 472 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 858
2005 334 531 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 868
2006 312 548 1 4 0 n/a n/a 0 865
2007 284 513 2 4 0 n/a n/a 0 803
2008 284 488 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 780
2009 263 495 1 6 0 n/a n/a 0 765
2010 239 512 3 7 0 0 1 0 762
2011 223 566 3 6 0 0 0 0 798
2012 207 572 5 7 1 0 2 0 794
2013 176 576 5 11 0 0 1 0 769
2014 188 527 5 12 0 0 2 0 734
2015 166 527 5 15 0 0 1 0 714
2016 143 482 3 15 0 0 0 0 643
2017 131 481 2 14 2 0 1 0 631
2018 101 461 7 15 0 0 2 0 586
2019 91 498 11 12 0 0 3 0 615
2020 76 493 9 7 0 0 5 0 590
2021 56 495 9 10 0 0 2 0 572
2022 37 454 6 13 0 0 7 0 517
2023 29 407 4 17 0 0 6 0 463

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 Chapel Junior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 897 48.7 18.4 n/a
1989 871 52.0 16.7 n/a
1990 847 51.0 16.6 29.4
1991 897 46.3 19.3 24
1992 856 46.4 18.4 31.8
1993 878 46.6 18.8 37.2
1994 903 46.5 19.4 36.4
1995 913 48.2 18.9 36.8
1996 913 48.2 18.9 36.8
1997 863 46.1 18.7 36.4
1998 832 46.1 18.0 40.7
1999 841 31.8 26.4 28.4
2000 862 51.0 16.9 49.9
2001 837 56.0 14.9 50.2
2002 847 50.0 16.9 50.1
2003 847 50.0 16.9 50.1
2004 858 51.0 16.8 49.7
2005 868 50.0 17.4 54.4
2006 865 55.0 15.7 56.2
2007 803 70.0 11.5 72.1
2008 780 57.0 13.7 56.8
2009 765 53.0 14.4 56.9
2010 762 54.8 14.1 65.2
2011 798 49.6 16.0 67.5
2012 794 50.0 15.8 71.7
2013 769 50.5 15.2 70.5
2014 734 48.8 15.0 70.4
2015 714 48.0 14.8 70.3
2016 643 52.0 12.3 71.9
2017 631 53.2 11.8 27.9
2018 586 53.7 10.9 29.9
2019 615 43.5 14.1 79.3
2020 590 44.8 13.1 100
2021 572 38.8 14.7 100
2022 517 36.7 14.0 100
2023 463 38.0 12.1 100

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 Chapel Junior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 897 48.7 18.4 n/a
1989 871 52.0 16.7 n/a
1990 847 51.0 16.6 29.4
1991 897 46.3 19.3 24
1992 856 46.4 18.4 31.8
1993 878 46.6 18.8 37.2
1994 903 46.5 19.4 36.4
1995 913 48.2 18.9 36.8
1996 913 48.2 18.9 36.8
1997 863 46.1 18.7 36.4
1998 832 46.1 18.0 40.7
1999 841 31.8 26.4 28.4
2000 862 51.0 16.9 49.9
2001 837 56.0 14.9 50.2
2002 847 50.0 16.9 50.1
2003 847 50.0 16.9 50.1
2004 858 51.0 16.8 49.7
2005 868 50.0 17.4 54.4
2006 865 55.0 15.7 56.2
2007 803 70.0 11.5 72.1
2008 780 57.0 13.7 56.8
2009 765 53.0 14.4 56.9
2010 762 54.8 14.1 65.2
2011 798 49.6 16.0 67.5
2012 794 50.0 15.8 71.7
2013 769 50.5 15.2 70.5
2014 734 48.8 15.0 70.4
2015 714 48.0 14.8 70.3
2016 643 52.0 12.3 71.9
2017 631 53.2 11.8 27.9
2018 586 53.7 10.9 29.9
2019 615 43.5 14.1 79.3
2020 590 44.8 13.1 100
2021 572 38.8 14.7 100
2022 517 36.7 14.0 100
2023 463 38.0 12.1 100

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 Chapel Junior High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,101 (11.7%) $8,288 (88.3%) $9,389

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Watson Chapel Junior High 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 300th of 319 Middle schoolsRanks 310th of 330 Middle schools
 0.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English (Watson Chapel Junior High School)61.961.3
 0.6%
   7th Grade English (Watson Chapel School District)61.961.3
 0.6%
   7th Grade English (Arkansas)78.375.1
 3.2%
7th Grade Math (Watson Chapel Junior High School)27.212.9
 14.3%
   7th Grade Math (Watson Chapel School District)27.212.9
 14.3%
   7th Grade Math (Arkansas)47.739.6
 8.1%
7th Grade Science (Watson Chapel Junior High School)19.315.3
 4%
   7th Grade Science (Watson Chapel School District)19.315.3
 4%
   7th Grade Science (Arkansas)4338.5
 4.5%
7th Grade Reading (Watson Chapel Junior High School)1618.5
 2.5%
   7th Grade Reading (Watson Chapel School District)1618.5
 2.5%
   7th Grade Reading (Arkansas)39.234.2
 5%
8th Grade English (Watson Chapel Junior High School)52.349.7
 2.6%
   8th Grade English (Watson Chapel School District)52.349.7
 2.6%
   8th Grade English (Arkansas)74.169.2
 4.9%
8th Grade Math (Watson Chapel Junior High School)19.79.6
 10.1%
   8th Grade Math (Watson Chapel School District)19.79.6
 10.1%
   8th Grade Math (Arkansas)47.737.9
 9.8%
8th Grade Science (Watson Chapel Junior High School)21.16.4
 14.7%
   8th Grade Science (Watson Chapel School District)21.16.4
 14.7%
   8th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.536.1
 6.4%
8th Grade Reading (Watson Chapel Junior High School)32.422.2
 10.2%
   8th Grade Reading (Watson Chapel School District)32.422.2
 10.2%
   8th Grade Reading (Arkansas)53.150.8
 2.3%
9th Grade English (Watson Chapel Junior High School)4237.7
 4.3%
   9th Grade English (Watson Chapel School District)4237.7
 4.3%
   9th Grade English (Arkansas)58.653.4
 5.2%
9th Grade Math (Watson Chapel Junior High School)126.6
 5.4%
   9th Grade Math (Watson Chapel School District)126.6
 5.4%
   9th Grade Math (Arkansas)35.826.6
 9.2%
9th Grade Science (Watson Chapel Junior High School)17.311.4
 5.9%
   9th Grade Science (Watson Chapel School District)17.311.4
 5.9%
   9th Grade Science (Arkansas)3531.9
 3.1%
9th Grade Reading (Watson Chapel Junior High School)19.818.6
 1.2%
   9th Grade Reading (Watson Chapel School District)19.818.6
 1.2%
   9th Grade Reading (Arkansas)37.440.6
 3.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students615463
 24.7%
African American498407
 18.3%
American Indian00
Asian114
 63.6%
Hispanic1217
 41.7%
Pacific Islander00
White9129
 68.1%
Two or More Races36
 100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients79.3%100%
 20.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Watson Chapel Junior High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 463 students attended Watson Chapel Junior High School.

Watson Chapel Junior High School ranks in the bottom 6.6% of Arkansas middle schools.

Students at Watson Chapel Junior High School are 88% African American, 6% White, 4% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races.

Students who attend Watson Chapel Junior High School usually go on to attend Watson Chapel High School


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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.





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