Average
#1347 of 1,823 schools in IN
James R Watson Elementary School
Elementary School · DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist
901 Eckhart Ave, Auburn, IN 46706
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Auburn
#2 of 2
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#788 of 1,047
In district
#4 of 6
DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist
Equity
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About James R Watson Elementary School
James R Watson Elementary School serves 579 students in grades prekindergarten through fifth in Auburn, Indiana. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.3 to 1, providing a manageable classroom environment for young learners. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 341st out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile among Indiana schools.
This solid standing reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence, with an impressive academic score of 9.2 out of 10. In mathematics, 67% of students across all grade levels perform at proficient or above levels, indicating effective instruction in foundational math skills. Located at 901 Eckhart Avenue, James R Watson Elementary sits in the 46706 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $73,165 and the median home value is $172,100.
The community maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 8.4%, with 25% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school serves a population of approximately 20,000 residents in this town setting on the fringe of an urban area, providing students with both small-town community feel and access to broader educational and cultural opportunities.
Score Breakdown
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James R Watson Elementary School — Students at James R Watson Elementary School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IN 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: 5.0/10.
How James R Watson Elementary School Compares
See how James R Watson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 53.82% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 43.27% (2025).
Location
901 Eckhart Ave, Auburn, IN 46706
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James R Watson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riverdale Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Saint Joe), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedarville Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Fort Wayne), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McKenney-Harrison Elementary Sch (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Auburn, see our Auburn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McKenney-Harrison Elementary Sch Auburn | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| DeKalb High School Waterloo | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| DeKalb Middle School Waterloo | 2.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Waterloo Elementary School Waterloo | 4.2 mi | 5.5 |
| J E Ober Elementary School Garrett | 4.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Garrett Middle School Garrett | 4.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Garrett High School Garrett | 4.7 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Garrett | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Country Meadow Elementary School Ashley | 8.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Riverdale Elementary School Saint Joe | 8.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Leo Elementary School Leo | 10.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Leo Junior/Senior High School Leo | 10.6 mi | 4.8 |
| GATEWAY WOODS SCHOOL Leo | 10.8 mi | — |
| OAK FARM SCHOOL Avilla | 8.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Cedar Canyon Elementary School Fort Wayne | 11.3 mi | 6.5 |
| CAMPBELL ROAD SCHOOL Spencerville | 10.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Cedarville Elementary School Fort Wayne | 12.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Butler Elementary School Butler | 9.6 mi | 5.0 |
| CEDAR CREEK AMISH SCHOOL Grabill | 12.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Eastside Junior-Senior High School Butler | 10.2 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,288
Median Home Value
$194,900
Median Rent
$829/mo
Population
20,277
College Educated
26.7%
Homeownership
80.4%
Avg Commute
19.5 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding James R Watson Elementary School has a median household income of $76,288. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $194,900, with a median rent of $829/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Bluffton-Harrison Elementary Sch Bluffton, IN | 5.3 |
| CSA Fodrea Campus Columbus, IN | 5.3 |
| Horizon Elementary School Granger, IN | 5.3 |
| J E Ober Elementary School Garrett, IN | 5.3 |
| Jefferson-Craig Elementary School Vevay, IN | 5.3 |
| Mary Beck Elementary School Elkhart, IN | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James R Watson Elementary School
What grades does James R Watson Elementary School serve?
James R Watson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James R Watson Elementary School?
James R Watson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 579 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James R Watson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at James R Watson Elementary School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James R Watson Elementary School rank in IN?
James R Watson Elementary School is ranked #1347 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is James R Watson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
James R Watson Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 James R Watson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James R Watson Elementary School has 57.5% math proficiency and 47.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James R Watson Elementary School a charter school?
No, James R Watson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James R Watson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, James R Watson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James R Watson Elementary School?
38.7% of students at James R 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
- Average (428/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Auburn). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 579
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- DeKalb County
- Phone
- (260) 920-1014
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist- District Enrollment
- 3,578
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,445
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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