Average
#707 of 1,035 schools in AR
Watson Chapel High School
High School · WATSON CHAPEL SCHOOL DISTRICT
4000 CAMDEN RD, Pine Bluff, AR 71603
Enrollment
639
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
639
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pine Bluff
#4 of 11
public schools
Arkansas high schools
#238 of 277
In district
#1 of 4
WATSON CHAPEL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Watson Chapel High School
Watson Chapel High School is a public high school in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 639 and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, with 47 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Watson Chapel High School is currently in need of improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and state ranking of #957 among the 1044 schools in Arkansas.
Students are scoring around 14% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 6% proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and growth. Watson Chapel High School is situated in a town setting within Jefferson County, providing a supportive community environment for its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Watson Chapel High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Watson Chapel High School — Students at Watson Chapel High School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.
How Watson Chapel High School Compares
See how Watson Chapel High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12% (2022).
Location
4000 CAMDEN RD, Pine Bluff, AR 71603
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watson Chapel High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WOODLAWN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Rison), which scores notably higher. Another option is PINE BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, WHITE HALL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby White Hall), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Pine Bluff, see our Pine Bluff schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 71603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,019
Median Home Value
$116,000
Median Rent
$859/mo
Population
29,274
College Educated
23.8%
Homeownership
65.3%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
15.8%
Median Age
41
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watson Chapel High School has a median household income of $51,019. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,000, with a median rent of $859/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.8%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| HEBER SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Heber Springs, AR | 5.6 |
| HUNTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Huntsville, AR | 5.6 |
| SALEM HIGH SCHOOL Salem, AR | 5.6 |
| CROSSETT HIGH SCHOOL Crossett, AR | 5.5 |
| GOSNELL HIGH SCHOOL Blytheville, AR | 5.4 |
| BERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Berryville, AR | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watson Chapel High School
What grades does Watson Chapel High School serve?
Watson Chapel High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Watson Chapel High School?
Watson Chapel High School has an enrollment of approximately 639 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watson Chapel High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Watson Chapel High School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watson Chapel High School rank in AR?
Watson Chapel High School is ranked #707 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Watson Chapel High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Watson Chapel High School has a composite rating of 5.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Watson Chapel High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watson Chapel High School has 5.8% math proficiency and 13.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Watson Chapel High School a charter school?
No, Watson Chapel High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watson Chapel High School a Title I school?
No, Watson Chapel High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watson Chapel High School?
100.0% of students at Watson Chapel High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (6,152/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pine Bluff). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 639
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (870) 879-3230
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WATSON CHAPEL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,725
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,737
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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