Wendell Watson Elementary School

Q: Is Wendell Watson Elementary School a good school?

Wendell Watson Elementary School ranks 1331 st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Wendell Watson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 875 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating.

Wendell Watson Elementary has a diverse student population, with 53.14% White, 13.94% African American, and 28% Hispanic students. However, the school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Florida elementary schools, with a 2 or 3-star rating from SchoolDigger. Notably, the school has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 13.6% in 2019-2020 to 40.9% in 2021-2022, which is notably higher than the state and district averages. Academically, the school's proficiency rates on state assessments are generally below the state and district averages across grade levels and subject areas, such as 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency at 53%, compared to 55% for the state and 49% for the district.

Compared to nearby schools, Wendell Watson Elementary's chronic absenteeism rate is significantly higher than some, such as Lakeland Montessori School House at 1.8%, but lower than Achievement Academy at 69.5%. The school's racial makeup is more balanced compared to some nearby schools, like Lakeland Montessori, which has a much higher percentage of White students. Wendell Watson's spending per student has increased from $7,888 in 2019-2020 to $9,926 in 2022-2023, which is higher than the state average but lower than some nearby schools. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 14.8, which may indicate a focus on smaller class sizes.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

6800 Walt Williams Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809

(863) 853-6060

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1331^st of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,926

Students who attend Wendell Watson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Lake Gibson Middle School
High:	Lake Gibson Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.8

Number of students: 875

Racial breakdown:

White:

53.1%

Hispanic:

28.0%

African American:

13.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 40.1%

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Compare Wendell Watson Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Wendell Watson Elementary School ranks worse than 59% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 33^rd among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 40.51. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Wendell Watson Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (53.1%), Hispanic (28%), African American (13.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 40.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Wendell Watson Elementary School is 14.8, which is the 20^th best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Wendell Watson Elementary School employs 59 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Wendell Watson Elementary School is $9,926. 56 elementary schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Polk:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk 57^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Wendell Watson Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	71.87	482^nd	1688	71.4%
2007	70.55	527^th	1786	70.5%
2008	59.43	754^th	1789	57.9%
2009	69.51	547^th	1847	70.4%
2010	56.91	894^th	1919	53.4%
2011	65.28	724^th	1985	63.5%
2012	66.24	663^rd	1984	66.6%
2013	70.84	553^rd	2029	72.7%
2014	63.47	730^th	2064	64.6%
2016	64.97	716^th	2087	65.7%
2017	62.22	784^th	2112	62.9%
2018	52.55	987^th	2118	53.4%
2019	50.78	1060^th	2182	51.4%
2021	48.53	1111^th	2247	50.6%
2022	40.98	1292^nd	2219	41.8%
2023	48.22	1134^th	2240	49.4%
2024	40.51	1331^st	2256	41.0%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Wendell Watson Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1992	679	16	7	27	0	n/a	n/a	0	729
1993	626	132	11	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	791
1994	600	141	9	17	0	n/a	n/a	0	767
1995	651	139	11	28	1	n/a	n/a	0	830
1996	651	139	11	28	1	n/a	n/a	0	830
1997	618	153	6	28	1	n/a	n/a	0	806
1998	640	134	7	27	2	n/a	n/a	0	810
1999	651	133	6	23	4	n/a	n/a	0	817
2000	666	133	8	21	5	n/a	n/a	0	833
2001	650	111	9	25	4	n/a	n/a	0	799
2002	629	107	5	32	0	n/a	n/a	0	773
2003	629	107	5	32	0	n/a	n/a	0	773
2004	617	106	10	27	0	n/a	n/a	0	760
2005	597	148	6	37	0	n/a	n/a	0	788
2006	635	154	5	48	0	n/a	n/a	0	842
2007	592	161	7	81	0	n/a	n/a	38	879
2008	582	138	11	89	0	n/a	n/a	40	860
2009	549	150	11	88	0	n/a	n/a	45	843
2010	522	152	13	100	0	n/a	n/a	40	827
2011	512	127	18	120	5	2	20	0	804
2012	535	118	19	138	3	2	27	0	842
2013	482	122	18	126	3	2	26	0	779
2014	477	125	10	130	2	2	27	0	773
2015	462	110	10	127	2	1	29	0	741
2016	472	123	12	139	1	1	23	0	771
2017	452	139	13	152	2	1	19	0	778
2018	489	118	9	187	2	1	35	0	841
2019	446	104	10	206	2	1	32	0	801
2020	466	101	9	224	3	1	22	0	826
2021	443	90	8	221	0	1	22	0	785
2022	478	107	10	216	6	0	25	0	842
2023	465	122	8	245	9	0	26	0	875

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 Wendell Watson Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1992	729	33.0	22.0	15.4
1993	791	38.0	20.8	24.9
1994	767	41.0	18.7	22.4
1995	830	41.0	20.2	23.6
1996	830	41.0	20.2	23.6
1997	806	41.0	19.7	28.7
1998	810	43.0	18.8	25.8
1999	817	45.0	18.2	30.7
2000	833	40.0	20.8	33.1
2001	799	43.0	18.6	33.8
2002	773	38.0	20.3	37.1
2003	773	38.0	20.3	37.1
2004	760	42.0	18.1	37.5
2005	788	45.0	17.5	37.2
2006	842	52.0	16.2	39.9
2007	879	58.0	15.2	44.6
2008	860	59.0	14.6	15.6
2009	843	70.5	14.1	45.9
2010	827	57.0	14.5	51
2011	804	55.0	14.6	53.9
2012	842	56.0	15.0	55.3
2013	779	52.0	14.9	52.1
2014	773	50.0	15.4	55.5
2015	741	47.0	15.7	55.9
2016	771	48.0	16.0	57.5
2017	778	49.0	15.8	43.6
2018	841	51.0	16.4	44.5
2019	801	49.0	16.3	41.7
2020	826	51.0	16.1	44.6
2021	785	51.0	15.3	45.4
2022	842	55.0	15.3	47.5
2023	875	59.0	14.8	40.1

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 Wendell Watson Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1992	729	33.0	22.0	15.4
1993	791	38.0	20.8	24.9
1994	767	41.0	18.7	22.4
1995	830	41.0	20.2	23.6
1996	830	41.0	20.2	23.6
1997	806	41.0	19.7	28.7
1998	810	43.0	18.8	25.8
1999	817	45.0	18.2	30.7
2000	833	40.0	20.8	33.1
2001	799	43.0	18.6	33.8
2002	773	38.0	20.3	37.1
2003	773	38.0	20.3	37.1
2004	760	42.0	18.1	37.5
2005	788	45.0	17.5	37.2
2006	842	52.0	16.2	39.9
2007	879	58.0	15.2	44.6
2008	860	59.0	14.6	15.6
2009	843	70.5	14.1	45.9
2010	827	57.0	14.5	51
2011	804	55.0	14.6	53.9
2012	842	56.0	15.0	55.3
2013	779	52.0	14.9	52.1
2014	773	50.0	15.4	55.5
2015	741	47.0	15.7	55.9
2016	771	48.0	16.0	57.5
2017	778	49.0	15.8	43.6
2018	841	51.0	16.4	44.5
2019	801	49.0	16.3	41.7
2020	826	51.0	16.1	44.6
2021	785	51.0	15.3	45.4
2022	842	55.0	15.3	47.5
2023	875	59.0	14.8	40.1

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 Wendell Watson Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$453 (6.5%)	$6,491 (93.5%)	$6,944
2019	$463 (6.2%)	$7,063 (93.8%)	$7,526
2020	$810 (10.3%)	$7,078 (89.7%)	$7,888
2021	$1,105 (13.4%)	$7,169 (86.7%)	$8,273
2022	$2,038 (21.4%)	$7,467 (78.6%)	$9,504
2023	$1,507 (15.2%)	$8,419 (84.8%)	$9,926

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Wendell 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 1060^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1134^th of 2240 Elementary schools	2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wendell Watson Elementary School)	59	58	1%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Wendell Watson Elementary School)	47	54	7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Wendell Watson Elementary School)	51	50	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Wendell Watson Elementary School)	50	53	3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Wendell Watson Elementary School)	60	39	21%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Wendell Watson Elementary School)	64	38	26%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Wendell Watson Elementary School)	65	47	18%
5th Grade Science (Polk)	45	37	8%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	48	5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	801	875	9.2%
African American	104	122	17.3%
American Indian	2	9	350%
Asian	10	8	20%
Hispanic	206	245	18.9%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	446	465	4.3%
Two or More Races	32	26	18.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	41.7%	40.1%	1.6%

Schools Near Wendell Watson Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
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	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Wendell Watson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6800 Walt Williams Rd	Lakeland	33809	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 853-6060	875	59	14.8	40.1%	465 (53.1%)	122 (13.9%)	245 (28.0%)	8 (0.9%)	9 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (3.0%)	40.5	1331^st of 2256 public elementary schools	41.0%		48.2	1134^th of 2240 public elementary schools	49.4%	197	53.0	50.0	47.0				55.0	50.0	46.0				43.0					$9,926	$1,507	$8,419
Edgar L. Padgett Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	110 Leelon Rd	Lakeland	33809	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 853-6044	529	32	16.5	57.3%	195 (36.9%)	125 (23.6%)	188 (35.5%)	8 (1.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.3%)	32.9	1538^th of 2256 public elementary schools	31.8%		28.9	1640^th of 2240 public elementary schools	26.8%	102	42.0	33.0	41.0				46.0	55.0	58.0				44.0					$10,445	$1,843	$8,602
Dr. NE Roberts Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6600 Green Rd	Lakeland	33810	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 815-6633	691	43	16.0	53.7%	303 (43.8%)	128 (18.5%)	237 (34.3%)	6 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (2.3%)	34.5	1502^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	33.4%		32.5	1541^st of 2240 public elementary schools	31.2%	39	48.0	46.0	42.0				58.0	49.0	32.0				44.0					$10,915	$2,038	$8,877
North Lakeland Elementary School Of Choice	Public	PK, KG-5	410 Robson St W	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2850	644	46	14.0	60.9%	159 (24.7%)	193 (30.0%)	273 (42.4%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (2.2%)	13.2	2081^st of 2256 public elementary schools	7.8%		12.8	2087^th of 2240 public elementary schools	6.8%	6	34.0	32.0	30.0				36.0	40.0	30.0				28.0					$11,099	$1,987	$9,111
R. Clem Churchwell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8201 Park Byrd Rd	Lakeland	33810	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 853-6011	708	43	16.4	52.7%	292 (41.2%)	102 (14.4%)	277 (39.1%)	9 (1.3%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.6%)	23 (3.2%)	27.1	1707^th of 2256 public elementary schools	24.3%		26.3	1708^th of 2240 public elementary schools	23.8%	1	64.0	26.0	41.0				59.0	30.0	33.0				32.0					$10,095	$1,596	$8,499
Combee Academy Of Design And Engineering	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	2805 Morgan Combee Rd	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2960	551	42	13.1	59.9%	253 (45.9%)	71 (12.9%)	205 (37.2%)	6 (1.1%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	11 (2.0%)	50.2	1088^th of 2256 public elementary schools	51.8%		38	1385^th of 2240 public elementary schools	38.2%	297	58.0	50.0	53.0				55.0	41.0	68.0				60.0					$11,979	$1,916	$10,064
Sleepy Hill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2285 Sleepy Hill Rd	Lakeland	33810	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 815-6768	739	51	14.4	66.2%	205 (27.7%)	175 (23.7%)	332 (44.9%)	10 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (2.3%)	35.2	1485^th of 2256 public elementary schools	34.2%		46.9	1163^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	48.1%	322	44.0	33.0	50.0				45.0	39.0	62.0				57.0					$11,167	$1,993	$9,173
Rochelle School Of The Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	1501 Martin L King Jr Ave	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2810	803	51	15.7	45.2%	276 (34.4%)	300 (37.4%)	186 (23.2%)	5 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	34 (4.2%)	50.4	1083^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	52.0%		45.3	1204^th of 2240 public elementary schools	46.3%	121	57.0	56.0	45.0	71.0	70.0	71.0	58.0	60.0	45.0	61.0	61.0	65.0	35.0	51.0	100.0	94.0	90.0	$11,296	$1,484	$9,813
Lakeland Montessori School House	Public, Charter	K-6	1124 Lake Parker Ave N	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 413-0003	110	8	13.7	3.6%	74 (67.3%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (24.5%)	5 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.6%)	82.9	342^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	84.8%		94.2	58^th of 2240 public elementary schools	97.4%	284	81.0	85.0		83.0			63.0	69.0		83.0								$11,131	$1,420	$9,712
Griffin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3315 Kathleen Rd	Lakeland	33810	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 853-6020	379	23	16.4	64.9%	95 (25.1%)	126 (33.2%)	142 (37.5%)	7 (1.8%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.8%)	29	1649^th of 2256 public elementary schools	26.9%		20	1894^th of 2240 public elementary schools	15.4%	245	37.0	33.0	41.0				46.0	37.0	50.0				61.0					$11,521	$2,345	$9,177

Frequently Asked Questions about Wendell Watson Elementary School

Is Wendell Watson Elementary School a good school?

Wendell Watson Elementary School ranks 1331^st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Wendell Watson Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Lake Gibson Middle School
High : Lake Gibson Senior High School

How many students attend Wendell Watson Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 875 students attended Wendell Watson Elementary School.

What district is Wendell Watson Elementary School in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of Wendell Watson Elementary School?

Students at Wendell Watson Elementary School are 53% White, 28% Hispanic, 14% African American, 3% Two or more races, 1% American Indian.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of 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.