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#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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.3%
Math vs. State Avg+2.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.1 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,502

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.5%
School
State
46.1%
ELA Proficiency 47.7%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
60%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
67%
2025
Math
53.1%
ELA
43.6%

* 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: 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.

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in IN
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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