Average
#785 of 1,035 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
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
417
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Little Rock
#45 of 70
public schools
Arkansas elementary schools
#326 of 509
In district
#22 of 38
LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Watson Elementary School
Watson Elementary School is a regular public school located in Little Rock, Arkansas. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 417 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. Watson Elementary focuses on providing foundational education to its young learners.
The academic performance at Watson Elementary currently ranks in the lower tier among Arkansas schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.1 out of 10. The school's proficiency rates in ELA/Reading and Math are significantly below state averages, standing at 5% proficient or above for reading and 7% proficient or above for math across all grades. Despite the challenges reflected in these numbers, Watson Elementary is committed to student development and continually works on improving its educational programs.
The school is situated in a mid-size city setting within Pulaski County, where it plays an important role as part of the local community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Watson Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Watson Elementary School — Students at Watson Elementary School score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.3%
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: 7.2/10.
How Watson Elementary School Compares
See how Watson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 13% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 7% (2019) to 4% (2022).
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 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHICOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 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 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watson Elementary School has a median household income of $40,267. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $99,100, with a median rent of $982/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| DARDANELLE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Dardanelle, AR | 5.2 |
| HAPPY HOLLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fayetteville, AR | 5.2 |
| JOE MATHIAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers, AR | 5.2 |
| KENSETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kensett, AR | 5.2 |
| MORRILTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Morrilton, AR | 5.2 |
| OSAGE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bentonville, AR | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #785 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Watson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Watson Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watson Elementary School has 7.3% math proficiency and 4.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (6,916/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Little Rock). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (501) 447-6800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 21,105
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,959
- District Rank
- #22 of 38
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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