Skip to main content

Average

#712 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 39% in state

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

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#712 of 1,823

In Auburn

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 6

DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around James R Watson Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

James R Watson Elementary School

6.9/10

Elementary School in Auburn · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mckenney-harrison Elementary Sch

6.6/10

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

Dekalb High School

6.5/10

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

About James R Watson Elementary School

James R Watson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Auburn, IN, part of DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist. James R Watson Elementary School serves approximately 579 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. James R Watson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #712 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for James R Watson Elementary School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • 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-2.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.8% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.3% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg+2.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.1 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,445
Chronic Absenteeism10.9%

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 69.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 65.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 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
85%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
88%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
71%
ELA
76%
2015
Math
71%
ELA
73%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
73%
2017
Math
71%
ELA
69%
2018
Math
60%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
60%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
63%
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: 8.1/10.

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
6.9/10
61th percentile in IN
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.9%

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

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. Cedarville Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Fort Wayne), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedar Canyon Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Fort Wayne), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverdale Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Saint Joe), with a very similar rating. 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 6.5
DeKalb Middle School Waterloo 2.6 mi 5.9
Waterloo Elementary School Waterloo 4.2 mi 5.5
J E Ober Elementary School Garrett 4.6 mi 5.0
Garrett Middle School Garrett 4.7 mi 5.2
Garrett High School Garrett 4.7 mi 6.8
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Garrett 5.2 mi 6.3
Country Meadow Elementary School Ashley 8.3 mi 4.1
Riverdale Elementary School Saint Joe 8.3 mi 7.1
Leo Elementary School Leo 10.4 mi 7.1
Leo Junior/Senior High School Leo 10.6 mi 6.7
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 8.0
CAMPBELL ROAD SCHOOL Spencerville 10.5 mi 3.8
Cedarville Elementary School Fort Wayne 12.2 mi 8.7
Butler Elementary School Butler 9.6 mi 4.3
CEDAR CREEK AMISH SCHOOL Grabill 12.4 mi 4.5
Eastside Junior-Senior High School Butler 10.2 mi 8.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cloverdale Elementary School Cloverdale, IN 6.9
Enlace Academy Indianapolis, IN 6.9
KIPP Indy Unite Elementary Indianapolis, IN 6.9
Perry Worth Elementary School Lebanon, IN 6.9
Phalen at Francis Scott Key 103 Indianapolis, IN 6.9
Pleasant Ridge Elementary School Charlestown, IN 6.9

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 ranks #712 of 1,823 schools in IN.

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

James R Watson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 R Watson Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James R Watson Elementary School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.9%

District

DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist
District Enrollment
3,578
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,445
District Rank
#1 of 6

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.