Skip to main content

Below Average

#899 of 1,036 schools in AR

Watson Chapel Jr. High School

Middle School · WATSON CHAPEL SCHOOL DISTRICT

3900 CAMDEN RD, Pine Bluff, AR 71603

Enrollment

392

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#899 of 1,036

In Pine Bluff

#7 of 11

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

WATSON CHAPEL SCHOOL DISTRICT

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Watson Chapel Jr. High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Watson Chapel Jr. High School

4.5/10

Middle School in Pine Bluff · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Watson Chapel High School

5.7/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Edgewood Elementary School

3.3/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Watson Chapel Jr. High School

Watson Chapel Jr. High School is a public middle school in Pine Bluff, AR, part of WATSON CHAPEL SCHOOL DISTRICT. Watson Chapel Jr.

High School serves approximately 392 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Watson Chapel Jr. High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #899 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Watson Chapel Jr. High School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.4 pts below AR schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • AR avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Watson Chapel Jr. High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.4% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.5% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-29.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21 pts
Overall Proficiency12% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected-11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment6.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,737
Chronic Absenteeism32.9%

Watson Chapel Jr. High School — Students at Watson Chapel Jr. High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.0% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 32.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
33.9% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 37 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
54%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
51%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
53%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
61%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
16%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
25%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
14%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
14%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2025
Math
10.4%
ELA
14.5%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Watson Chapel Jr. High School Compares

See how Watson Chapel Jr. High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
13th percentile in AR
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
6.3/10
Average
Sports
5
3 boys' · 2 girls'
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics5sports offered
3 boys'·2 girls'·5 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3900 CAMDEN RD, Pine Bluff, AR 71603

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watson Chapel Jr. High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. FRIENDSHIP ASPIRE ACADEMY DOWNTOWN PINE BLUFF (rated 8.6/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MATTHEWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Rison), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pine Bluff, see our Pine Bluff schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.7 mi
School Distance Rating
WATSON CHAPEL HIGH SCHOOL Pine Bluff 0.1 mi 5.7
EDGEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pine Bluff 1.3 mi 3.3
COLEMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pine Bluff 1.9 mi 4.5
SOUTHWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pinebluff 2.1 mi 7.2
FRIENDSHIP ASPIRE ACADEMY HAZEL ST PINE BLUFF Pine Bluff 2.5 mi 4.3
FORREST PARK/GREENVILLE PRESCHOOL Pine Bluff 2.6 mi 4.9
MATTHEWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pine Bluff 3.6 mi 8.0
FRIENDSHIP ASPIRE ACADEMY SOUTHEAST PINE BLUFF Pine Bluff 3.8 mi
PINE BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL Pine Bluff 3.7 mi 5.4
FRIENDSHIP ASPIRE ACADEMY DOWNTOWN PINE BLUFF Pine Bluff 4.2 mi 8.6
THIRTY-FOURTH STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pine Bluff 4.1 mi 3.8
GANDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL White Hall 4.8 mi 5.9
TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL White Hall 5.5 mi 6.3
WHITE HALL MIDDLE SCHOOL White Hall 5.9 mi 4.9
BROADMOOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pine Bluff 5.1 mi 3.9
MOODY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL White Hall 6.9 mi 5.3
WHITE HALL HIGH SCHOOL White Hall 7.0 mi 5.1
WOODLAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rison 15.5 mi 6.0
WOODLAWN HIGH SCHOOL Rison 15.5 mi 4.8
RISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rison 17.7 mi 7.6

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
DREW CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Monticello, AR 4.4
CLARKSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Clarksville, AR 4.7
CROSSETT MIDDLE SCHOOL Crossett, AR 4.3
STAR CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Star City, AR 4.2
MONTICELLO MIDDLE SCHOOL Monticello, AR 4.9
CAMDEN FAIRVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Camden, AR 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Watson Chapel Jr. High School

What grades does Watson Chapel Jr. High School serve?

Watson Chapel Jr. High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Watson Chapel Jr. High School?

Watson Chapel Jr. High School has an enrollment of approximately 392 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Watson Chapel Jr. High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Watson Chapel Jr. High School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Watson Chapel Jr. High School rank in AR?

Watson Chapel Jr. High School ranks #899 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Watson Chapel Jr. High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Watson Chapel Jr. High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Watson Chapel Jr. High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Watson Chapel Jr. High School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Watson Chapel Jr. High School a charter school?

No, Watson Chapel Jr. High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Watson Chapel Jr. High School a Title I school?

No, Watson Chapel Jr. High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watson Chapel Jr. High School?

100.0% of students at Watson Chapel Jr. 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

District

WATSON CHAPEL SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,725
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,737
District Rank
#3 of 4

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.