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Very Good

#391 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 21% in state

James H Watson Elementary School

Elementary School · Lake Central School Corporation

333 W 77th St, Schererville, IN 46375

Enrollment

655

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#391 of 1,823

In Schererville

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#5 of 10

Lake Central School Corporation

Equity

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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James H Watson Elementary School

7.8/10

Elementary School in Schererville · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Michael Grimmer Middle School

6.3/10

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

St Michael School

6.1/10

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

About James H Watson Elementary School

James H Watson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Schererville, IN, part of Lake Central School Corporation. James H Watson Elementary School serves approximately 655 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. James H Watson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #391 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for James H Watson Elementary School show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 8.3
  • IN avg 6.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.4% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.1% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg+11.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,793
Chronic Absenteeism9.2%

James H Watson Elementary School — Students at James H Watson Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.6% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 74.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.7% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 35 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
94%
ELA
94%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
93%
ELA
94%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
83%
ELA
88%
2016
Math
79%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
67%
2025
Math
63.4%
ELA
55.1%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How James H Watson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
79th percentile in IN
Academic
8.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.2%

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

333 W 77th St, Schererville, IN 46375

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James H Watson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MICHAEL SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is George Bibich Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Dyer), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Homan Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Schererville, see our Schererville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Michael Grimmer Middle School Schererville 0.0 mi 6.3
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Schererville 1.0 mi 6.1
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Schererville 1.0 mi 8.8
ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Schererville 1.0 mi 8.4
Lake Central High School Saint John 1.1 mi 6.6
Homan Elementary School Schererville 1.3 mi 8.5
Kolling Elementary School Saint John 1.4 mi 8.2
Peifer Elementary School Schererville 1.5 mi 7.8
ST JOHN EVANGELIST SCHOOL Saint John 2.1 mi 6.3
Hal E Clark Middle School Saint John 2.2 mi 6.7
2450 CHILDCARE INC DBA HAPPY DAYS CHILDCARE Highland 3.2 mi
George Bibich Elementary School Dyer 2.7 mi 8.7
CROWN POINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Saint John 3.6 mi 6.3
Allen J Warren Elementary School Highland 3.8 mi 6.2
Beiriger Elementary School Griffith 3.8 mi 6.3
Kahler Middle School Dyer 3.1 mi 6.5
FOREST RIDGE ACADEMY Schererville 3.1 mi 8.3
Griffth Jr/Sr High School Griffith 4.0 mi 5.6
PLUM CREEK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dyer 3.4 mi 6.6
ST MARY SCHOOL Griffith 4.0 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46375 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,646

Median Home Value

$295,400

Median Rent

$1,250/mo

Population

24,012

College Educated

35.7%

Homeownership

82.2%

Avg Commute

32.7 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

45.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clinton Central Elementary School Michigantown, IN 7.8
Kankakee Valley Intermediate Sch Wheatfield, IN 7.8
Madison Elementary School Warsaw, IN 7.8
Parkside Elementary School Columbus, IN 7.8
Peifer Elementary School Schererville, IN 7.8
Porter Lakes Elementary School Hebron, IN 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James H Watson Elementary School

What grades does James H Watson Elementary School serve?

James H Watson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend James H Watson Elementary School?

James H Watson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 655 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at James H Watson Elementary School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James H Watson Elementary School rank in IN?

James H Watson Elementary School ranks #391 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is James H Watson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

James H Watson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 James H Watson Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James H Watson Elementary School has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is James H Watson Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is James H Watson Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

23.4% of students at James H 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
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
655
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.2%

District

Lake Central School Corporation
District Enrollment
9,204
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,793
District Rank
#5 of 10

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