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Needs Improvement

#1225 of 1,284 schools in KY

Watterson Elementary

Elementary School · Jefferson County

3900 Breckenridge Lane, Louisville, KY 40218

Enrollment

484

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Louisville

#136 of 147

public schools

Kentucky elementary schools

#668 of 708

In district

#138 of 149

Jefferson County

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Watterson Elementary

Watterson Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Louisville, Kentucky. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 484 students and boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, ensuring a supportive learning environment with 34 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Despite its strong teacher support system, Watterson Elementary currently faces challenges in academic performance.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranking at #1049 among Kentucky's 1288 schools (19th percentile), the school is focusing on student development rather than solely on test scores. In terms of proficiency, only 26% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading, while 17% demonstrate proficiency in Math across all grades. Watterson Elementary is situated within a large city setting and serves as an integral part of the local community.

While specific neighborhood details are not available, it plays a key role in providing quality education to its diverse student population.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20%
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-18.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,376

Watterson Elementary — Students at Watterson Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
20%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Watterson Elementary Compares

See how Watterson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
5th percentile in KY
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

3900 Breckenridge Lane, Louisville, KY 40218

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watterson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NUR ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF LOUISVILLE (rated 8.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is JOHN PAUL II ACADEMY (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MEREDITH-DUNN SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Louisville, see our Louisville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
NUR ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF LOUISVILLE Louisville 0.5 mi 8.9
Klondike Lane Elementary Louisville 1.3 mi 6.6
Newcomer Academy Louisville 1.2 mi 6.7
MEREDITH-DUNN SCHOOL Louisville 1.9 mi 7.5
MERCY ACADEMY Louisville 1.8 mi 5.4
JOHN PAUL II ACADEMY Louisville 1.8 mi 8.1
Goldsmith Elementary Louisville 1.9 mi 5.3
Seneca High Louisville 1.9 mi 5.7
EVANGEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Louisville 2.2 mi 6.5
EVANGEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Louisville 2.2 mi 6.0
Binet School Louisville 1.9 mi
Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Louisville 2.4 mi 7.1
MONTESSORI TORAH ACADEMY Louisville 2.4 mi
ST GABRIEL SCHOOL Louisville 2.3 mi 4.8
Alex R. Kennedy Elementary Louisville 2.5 mi 4.5
Price Elementary Louisville 2.3 mi 7.0
LOUISVILLE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Louisville 2.9 mi
LOUISVILLE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Louisville 2.9 mi
Newburg Middle Louisville 2.3 mi 6.3
Luhr Elementary Louisville 2.9 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40218 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,191

Median Home Value

$195,600

Median Rent

$1,059/mo

Population

33,292

College Educated

28.6%

Homeownership

51.2%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

33.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Watterson Elementary has a median household income of $56,191. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,600, with a median rent of $1,059/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Clear Creek Elementary Shelbyville, KY 3.8
Cochran Elementary Louisville, KY 3.8
North Butler Elementary Morgantown, KY 3.8
Sanders Elementary Louisville, KY 3.8
Blake Elementary Louisville, KY 3.7
Campbellsville Elementary School Campbellsville, KY 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Watterson Elementary

What grades does Watterson Elementary serve?

Watterson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Watterson Elementary?

Watterson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 484 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Watterson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Watterson Elementary is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Watterson Elementary rank in KY?

Watterson Elementary is ranked #1225 out of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Watterson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Watterson Elementary has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Watterson Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watterson Elementary has 17.2% math proficiency and 26.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Watterson Elementary a charter school?

No, Watterson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Watterson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Watterson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watterson Elementary?

70.5% of students at Watterson Elementary 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

County Safety
Low (0/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Jefferson County
District Enrollment
94,793
Schools in District
171
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,200
District Rank
#138 of 149

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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