Watkins Middle School

Summary:

Watkins Middle School is a public middle school located in Pataskala, Ohio, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 1,065 students. The school is part of the Southwest Licking Local School District, which is ranked 351 out of 839 school districts in Ohio and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Watkins Middle School consistently outperforms the state and district averages in Ohio State Tests across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 79.7% of 8th-grade students were proficient or better in Science, compared to 78.5% for the district and 62.1% for the state. The school also performs exceptionally well for certain student subgroups, ranking 29th out of 429 Ohio middle schools for African American students and 24th out of 123 Ohio middle schools for English Language Learner students. Additionally, Watkins Middle School stands out in advanced math courses, with 100% of students proficient or better in Algebra I and 91.7% proficient or better in Geometry, significantly outpacing the district and state averages.

While Watkins Middle School has seen an increase in chronic absenteeism over the past few years, reaching 25% in 2021-2022, the school has managed to reduce it to 16.3% in the 2023-2024 school year, which is still higher than the state average. Compared to nearby schools, such as Harmon Middle School and Diley Middle School, Watkins Middle School generally outperforms them in academic achievement, particularly in advanced math courses and for certain student subgroups. However, some nearby schools, such as Pickerington Lakeview Junior High and Toll Gate Middle School, also demonstrate strong academic performance and may be worth further investigation.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 8868 Watkins Rd SW
       Etna, OH  43062-9053


(740) 927-5767

District: Southwest Licking Local

SchoolDigger Rank:
274th of 1,046 Ohio Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,034 Help


Students who attend Watkins Middle School usually attend:

High:    Watkins Memorial High School

Feeder schools for Watkins Middle School:

Elementary:    Kirkersville Elementary School
    Pataskala Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  19.7 Help
Number of students:  1,069

Racial breakdown:

White:
76.1%
Asian:
9.5%
Two or more races:
7.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  39.8% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Watkins Middle School ranks better than 73.8% of middle schools in Ohio. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 73.83. (See more...)
Help
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
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (76.1%), Asian (9.5%), two or more races (7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 39.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Watkins Middle School is 19.7. (See more...)
Help
Compare Watkins Middle School employs 54 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Watkins Middle School is $9,034.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Watkins Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Watkins Middle School 274th of 1046 Ohio public middle schools. (See Watkins Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Foster Care students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Southwest Licking Local:

SchoolDigger ranks Southwest Licking Local 351st of 839 Ohio school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Watkins Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 80.40 68th 400 83.0%
2005 65.25 258th 692 62.7%
2006 64.25 308th 732 57.9%
2007 68.84 291st 837 65.2%
2008 61.26 410th 835 50.9%
2009 60.42 443rd 858 48.4%
2010 66.91 390th 895 56.4%
2011 74.54 236th 925 74.5%
2012 74.18 263rd 989 73.4%
2013 71.94 325th 1001 67.5%
2014 68.19 386th 1008 61.7%
2015 59.26 496th 1035 52.1%
2016 68.80 349th 1050 66.8%
2017 76.33 234th 1038 77.5%
2018 72.43 283rd 1010 72.0%
2019 70.54 324th 1050 69.1%
2021 65.06 395th 1037 61.9%
2022 66.50 360th 1017 64.6%
2023 70.28 316th 1048 69.8%
2024 73.83 274th 1046 73.8%
See the entire list of Ohio Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.24 61st 205 70.2%
2019 41.08 131st 206 36.4%
2021 57.51 90th 219 58.9%
2022 49.69 123rd 239 48.5%
2023 70.79 52nd 245 78.8%
2024 60.02 96th 254 62.2%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 56.35 34th 110 69.1%
2023 49.29 54th 113 52.2%
2024 64.79 24th 123 80.5%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 34.97 369th 590 37.5%
2024 42.06 289th 563 48.7%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.54 247th 924 73.3%
2019 57.35 445th 945 52.9%
2021 52.99 442nd 923 52.1%
2022 67.27 263rd 947 72.2%
2023 64.78 329th 974 66.2%
2024 72.78 230th 989 76.7%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.94 3rd 21 85.7%
2019 75.15 6th 23 73.9%
2021 80.18 4th 18 77.8%
2022 75.61 4th 17 76.5%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 71.17 249th 897 72.2%
2019 70.42 304th 917 66.8%
2021 62.71 370th 910 59.3%
2022 64.13 345th 925 62.7%
2023 66.52 338th 943 64.2%
2024 71.53 276th 942 70.7%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.41 492nd 643 23.5%
2019 28.20 514th 658 21.9%
2021 44.13 267th 576 53.6%
2022 53.19 183rd 565 67.6%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.67 460th 521 11.7%
2019 65.87 44th 164 73.2%
2021 55.53 153rd 274 44.2%
2022 45.67 171st 241 29.0%
2024 69.77 39th 196 80.1%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Foster Care students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 60.40 4th 11 63.6%
2023 54.49 4th 8 50.0%
2024 35.20 6th 7 14.3%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Foster Care Students!

Rank History for Male students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.60 285th 916 68.9%
2019 68.89 304th 933 67.4%
2021 59.12 395th 924 57.3%
2022 62.40 349th 946 63.1%
2023 69.60 285th 963 70.4%
2024 72.40 244th 958 74.5%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 29.21 52nd 66 21.2%
2021 15.75 61st 69 11.6%
2022 21.25 59th 67 11.9%
2023 31.42 50th 67 25.4%
2024 38.55 51st 76 32.9%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 90.06 25th 405 93.8%
2021 57.63 118th 385 69.4%
2022 48.66 171st 413 58.6%
2023 87.11 37th 436 91.5%
2024 88.92 29th 429 93.2%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 54.95 93rd 222 58.1%
2021 49.99 115th 228 49.6%
2022 54.72 101st 247 59.1%
2024 71.52 58th 239 75.7%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Watkins Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools OH State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.12 301st 781 61.5%
2019 62.56 305th 796 61.7%
2021 52.50 392nd 781 49.8%
2022 57.10 353rd 809 56.4%
2023 59.92 339th 805 57.9%
2024 64.44 283rd 795 64.4%
See the entire list of Best Ohio Middle Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Watkins Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Ohio Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Watkins Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 631 9 7 0 0 n/a n/a 0 647
1989 622 13 8 0 0 n/a n/a 0 643
1990 639 7 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 649
1991 629 7 2 2 3 n/a n/a 0 643
1992 637 9 3 3 4 n/a n/a 0 656
1993 647 9 1 3 1 n/a n/a 0 661
1994 672 7 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 682
1995 694 2 4 5 2 n/a n/a 0 707
1996 694 2 4 5 2 n/a n/a 0 707
1997 741 5 1 8 3 n/a n/a 0 758
1998 759 3 2 7 3 n/a n/a 0 774
1999 746 4 2 4 1 n/a n/a 0 757
2000 704 3 4 6 0 n/a n/a 0 717
2001 711 12 7 6 0 n/a n/a 0 736
2002 770 12 5 8 4 n/a n/a 8 807
2003 770 12 5 8 4 n/a n/a 8 807
2004 841 16 4 7 2 n/a n/a 9 879
2005 792 18 5 6 5 n/a n/a 13 839
2006 825 19 3 7 4 n/a n/a 17 875
2007 821 15 4 10 6 n/a n/a 25 881
2008 832 28 3 12 6 n/a n/a 28 909
2009 850 25 1 13 3 n/a n/a 26 918
2010 848 32 5 11 1 n/a n/a 28 925
2011 855 26 4 10 4 0 32 0 931
2012 823 30 4 13 4 0 37 0 911
2013 818 19 4 16 6 0 32 0 895
2014 813 22 5 17 2 1 38 0 898
2015 824 28 7 18 2 1 56 0 936
2016 856 28 9 18 1 1 52 0 965
2017 815 33 13 21 3 0 54 0 939
2018 808 29 19 32 4 1 42 0 935
2019 808 28 30 39 5 1 46 0 957
2020 849 35 31 46 2 1 57 0 1021
2021 866 38 41 44 1 0 58 0 1048
2022 861 36 66 41 1 0 59 0 1064
2023 842 52 84 32 0 0 55 0 1065
2024 813 45 102 33 1 0 75 0 1069

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 Watkins Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 647 35.0 18.4 0
1989 643 39.0 16.4 n/a
1990 649 33.0 19.6 n/a
1991 643 35.1 18.3 n/a
1992 656 35.0 18.7 7.3
1993 661 35.0 18.9 7.9
1994 682 35.0 19.5 8.2
1995 707 38.0 18.6 8.9
1996 707 38.0 18.6 8.9
1997 758 40.0 19.0 8.7
1998 774 44.0 17.6 8.4
1999 757 46.0 16.5 13.1
2000 717 46.0 15.6 11
2001 736 45.0 16.4 12.4
2002 807 48.0 16.8 12.1
2003 807 48.0 16.8 12.1
2004 879 50.0 17.6 13.3
2005 839 52.0 16.1 17.3
2006 875 53.4 16.4 20.2
2007 881 55.0 16.0 21.8
2008 909 51.2 17.8 n/a
2009 918 53.0 17.3 29.8
2010 925 57.0 16.2 35.8
2011 931 56.5 16.4 35.4
2012 911 52.0 17.5 37.1
2013 895 49.0 18.2 30.1
2014 898 51.0 17.6 31.3
2015 936 n/a n/a 29.7
2016 965 48.0 20.1 26.1
2017 939 43.0 21.8 23.3
2018 935 48.0 19.4 26
2019 957 49.0 19.5 29.7
2020 1021 55.0 18.5 31.7
2021 1048 54.0 19.4 n/a
2022 1064 52.0 20.4 n/a
2023 1065 56.0 19.0 31.7
2024 1069 54.0 19.7 39.8

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 Watkins Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 647 35.0 18.4 0
1989 643 39.0 16.4 n/a
1990 649 33.0 19.6 n/a
1991 643 35.1 18.3 n/a
1992 656 35.0 18.7 7.3
1993 661 35.0 18.9 7.9
1994 682 35.0 19.5 8.2
1995 707 38.0 18.6 8.9
1996 707 38.0 18.6 8.9
1997 758 40.0 19.0 8.7
1998 774 44.0 17.6 8.4
1999 757 46.0 16.5 13.1
2000 717 46.0 15.6 11
2001 736 45.0 16.4 12.4
2002 807 48.0 16.8 12.1
2003 807 48.0 16.8 12.1
2004 879 50.0 17.6 13.3
2005 839 52.0 16.1 17.3
2006 875 53.4 16.4 20.2
2007 881 55.0 16.0 21.8
2008 909 51.2 17.8 n/a
2009 918 53.0 17.3 29.8
2010 925 57.0 16.2 35.8
2011 931 56.5 16.4 35.4
2012 911 52.0 17.5 37.1
2013 895 49.0 18.2 30.1
2014 898 51.0 17.6 31.3
2015 936 n/a n/a 29.7
2016 965 48.0 20.1 26.1
2017 939 43.0 21.8 23.3
2018 935 48.0 19.4 26
2019 957 49.0 19.5 29.7
2020 1021 55.0 18.5 31.7
2021 1048 54.0 19.4 n/a
2022 1064 52.0 20.4 n/a
2023 1065 56.0 19.0 31.7
2024 1069 54.0 19.7 39.8

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 Watkins Middle School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $7,723
2022 $8,437
2023 $8,608
2024 $9,034

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Watkins Middle 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 324th of 1050 Middle schoolsRanks 316th of 1048 Middle schools
 0.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade Mathematics (Watkins Middle School)7463.1
 10.9%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Licking Local)7462.1
 11.9%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Ohio)60.150
 10.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Watkins Middle School)6155
 6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Licking Local)60.754.6
 6.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Ohio)56.155
 1.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Watkins Middle School)69.852.8
 17%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Licking Local)69.752.1
 17.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Ohio)57.547.6
 9.9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Watkins Middle School)77.973.2
 4.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Licking Local)77.772.3
 5.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Ohio)67.764.8
 2.9%
8th Grade Science (Watkins Middle School)73.378.1
 4.8%
   8th Grade Science (Southwest Licking Local)73.377
 3.7%
   8th Grade Science (Ohio)68.264
 4.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Watkins Middle School)63.756.5
 7.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Licking Local)63.754.4
 9.3%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Ohio)57.346.4
 10.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Watkins Middle School)61.268
 6.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Licking Local)61.266.3
 5.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Ohio)58.357.5
 0.8%
End of Course Algebra I (Watkins Middle School)95.498.6
 3.2%
   End of Course Algebra I (Southwest Licking Local)74.667.7
 6.9%
   End of Course Algebra I (Ohio)61.153
 8.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students9571065
 11.3%
African American2852
 85.7%
American Indian50
 100%
Asian3084
 180%
Hispanic3932
 17.9%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White808842
 4.2%
Two or More Races4655
 19.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients29.7%31.7%
 2.1%


Schools Near Watkins Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Watkins Middle School

Students at Watkins Middle School are 76% White, 10% Asian, 7% Two or more races, 4% African American, 3% Hispanic.

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,069 students attended Watkins Middle School.

Watkins Middle School ranks 274th of 1046 Ohio middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Watkins Middle School usually go on to attend Watkins Memorial 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 Ohio 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.





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