Average
#1860 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 49% in state
Wendell Watson Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
6800 WALT WILLIAMS RD, Lakeland, FL 33809
Enrollment
835
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
835
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakeland
#27 of 58
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#1,457 of 2,196
In district
#65 of 155
POLK
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Wendell Watson Elementary School
Wendell Watson Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Lakeland, Florida, with an enrollment of 835 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, supported by 53 full-time equivalent teachers who work to support student learning across grade levels. Academically, the school is working to strengthen its performance.
In English language arts, approximately 52% of students are meeting proficiency benchmarks, while math proficiency sits at around 51%. The school's academic score of 5.9/10 reflects areas with room for growth, and it ranks in the middle range statewide at the 56th percentile among Florida schools. Located on Walt Williams Road in a large suburban area of Lakeland, Wendell Watson Elementary provides an accessible educational setting for families in the community.
The school's size—with nearly 850 students—offers a balance between the resources of a larger institution and the opportunity for students to build connections with peers and staff across the elementary grades.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Wendell Watson Elementary School — Students at Wendell Watson Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL 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: 5.8/10.
How Wendell Watson Elementary School Compares
See how Wendell Watson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 48% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 51% (2021).
Location
6800 WALT WILLIAMS RD, Lakeland, FL 33809
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wendell Watson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COMBEE ACADEMY OF DESIGN AND ENGINEERING (rated 8.4/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (rated 8.1/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33809 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,112
Median Home Value
$248,700
Median Rent
$1,492/mo
Population
30,498
College Educated
26.9%
Homeownership
63.8%
Avg Commute
27.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
42.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wendell Watson Elementary School has a median household income of $67,112. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,700, with a median rent of $1,492/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| BAY HAVEN CHARTER ACADEMY Panama City, FL | 6.5 |
| BENNETT C RUSSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Milton, FL | 6.5 |
| BUCK LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL | 6.5 |
| CALLAHAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Callahan, FL | 6.5 |
| CORR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gibsonton, FL | 6.5 |
| CRAWFORDVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Crawfordville, FL | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wendell Watson Elementary School
What grades does Wendell Watson Elementary School serve?
Wendell Watson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Wendell Watson Elementary School?
Wendell Watson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 835 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wendell Watson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Wendell Watson Elementary School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wendell Watson Elementary School rank in FL?
Wendell Watson Elementary School is ranked #1860 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Wendell Watson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Wendell Watson Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Wendell Watson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wendell Watson Elementary School has 51.2% math proficiency and 51.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wendell Watson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Wendell Watson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wendell Watson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Wendell Watson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wendell Watson Elementary School?
53.2% of students at Wendell 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
- County Safety
- Average (575/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 835
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 853-6060
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #65 of 155
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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