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Needs Improvement

#1019 of 1,036 schools in AR

Watson Elementary School

Elementary School · LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

7000 VALLEY DR, Little Rock, AR 72209

Enrollment

417

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#1,019 of 1,036

In Little Rock

#65 of 70

public schools

In district

#32 of 38

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Watson Elementary School

3.1/10

Elementary School in Little Rock · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Theresa Catholic School

4.9/10

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

Cloverdale Middle School

4.3/10

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

About Watson Elementary School

Watson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Little Rock, AR, part of LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT. Watson Elementary School serves approximately 417 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Watson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,019 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Watson Elementary School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.2
  • AR avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Watson Elementary 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 Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.6% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency9.6% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-28.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.4 pts
Overall Proficiency11% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected-15.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,959
Chronic Absenteeism48%

Watson Elementary School — Students at Watson Elementary School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 24.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.1% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 21.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.3% (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
55%
ELA
40%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
50%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
51%
ELA
55%
2013
Math
54%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
9%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
18%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
13%
ELA
7%
2019
Math
13%
ELA
7%
2020*
Math
4%
ELA
3%
2021*
Math
4%
ELA
3%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
4%
2025
Math
11.6%
ELA
9.6%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Watson Elementary School Compares

See how Watson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
2th percentile in AR
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

Programs & Offerings

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

7000 VALLEY DR, Little Rock, AR 72209

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE HUDA ACADEMY (rated 8.7/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is EXALT ACADEMY OF SOUTHWEST LITTLE ROCK (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHICOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Mabelvale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Little Rock, see our Little Rock schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Little Rock 0.6 mi 4.9
CLOVERDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock 0.9 mi 4.3
CHICOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mabelvale 1.0 mi 7.0
EXALT ACADEMY OF SOUTHWEST LITTLE ROCK Little Rock 1.0 mi 7.9
SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Little Rock 1.2 mi 7.1
LITTLE ROCK SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Mabelvale 1.5 mi 4.5
MABELVALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mabelvale 1.7 mi 2.4
WAKEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 2.0 mi 5.5
BASELINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 2.1 mi 2.7
THE EXCEL CENTER Little Rock 2.4 mi
BASELINE BILINGUAL SCHOOL Little Rock 2.3 mi 3.6
GRADUATE ARKANSAS CHARTER HIGH Little Rock 2.6 mi 4.3
GEYER SPRINGS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Little Rock 2.9 mi 2.9
MABELVALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Mabelvale 2.5 mi 3.7
WESTERN HILLS ELEM. SCHOOL Little Rock 3.2 mi 3.1
ESTEM HIGH SCHOOL Little Rock 4.1 mi 6.9
BALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 4.2 mi 3.4
THE HUDA ACADEMY Little Rock 4.3 mi 8.7
ROMINE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Little Rock 4.5 mi 3.9
ROBERT L. DAVIS ELEM. SCHOOL Bryant 4.1 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,267

Median Home Value

$99,100

Median Rent

$982/mo

Population

33,200

College Educated

11.9%

Homeownership

43%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

25.1%

Median Age

29

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ANGIE GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Benton, AR 3.1
WESTERN HILLS ELEM. SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 3.1
ELLEN SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Conway, AR 3.2
BRADY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 3.3
MEADOW PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Little Rock, AR 3.3
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Corning, AR 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Watson Elementary School

What grades does Watson Elementary School serve?

Watson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Watson Elementary School?

Watson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 417 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Watson Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Watson Elementary School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Watson Elementary School rank in AR?

Watson Elementary School ranks #1,019 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Watson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Watson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Watson Elementary School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Watson Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Watson Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Watson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watson Elementary School?

92.3% of students at Watson Elementary 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
38 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
417
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pulaski County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

District

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
21,105
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,959
District Rank
#32 of 38

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