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Below Average

#1141 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

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#1,141 of 1,284

In Louisville

#105 of 147

public schools

In district

#108 of 149

Jefferson County

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Watterson Elementary

4.1/10

Elementary School in Louisville · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Nur Islamic School of Louisville

8.9/10

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

Klondike Lane Elementary

4.3/10

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

About Watterson Elementary

Watterson Elementary is a public elementary school in Louisville, KY, part of Jefferson County. Watterson Elementary serves approximately 484 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Watterson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,141 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Watterson Elementary show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Watterson Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.3% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency24% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected-15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,200
Chronic Absenteeism34.7%

Watterson Elementary — Students at Watterson Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

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 KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
54%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
28%
ELA
39%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
44%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
36%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
20%
2025
Math
23.3%
ELA
25%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Watterson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
11th percentile in KY
Academic
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

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

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 Greathouse/Shryock Traditional (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JOHN PAUL II ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 1.8 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 4.3
Newcomer Academy Louisville 1.2 mi 5.6
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 8.2
Goldsmith Elementary Louisville 1.9 mi 5.8
Seneca High Louisville 1.9 mi 3.9
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 8.6
MONTESSORI TORAH ACADEMY Louisville 2.4 mi
ST GABRIEL SCHOOL Louisville 2.3 mi 4.8
Alex R. Kennedy Elementary Louisville 2.5 mi 4.2
Price Elementary Louisville 2.3 mi 4.5
LOUISVILLE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Louisville 2.9 mi
LOUISVILLE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Louisville 2.9 mi
Newburg Middle Louisville 2.3 mi 5.2
Luhr Elementary Louisville 2.9 mi 6.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Foster Heights Elementary School Bardstown, KY 4.1
Mason County Intermediate School Maysville, KY 4.1
Owsley County Elementary School Booneville, KY 4.1
Paris Elementary School Paris, KY 4.1
ST MARGARET MARY SCHOOL Louisville, KY 4.1
Southside Elementary Shelbyville, KY 4.1

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 ranks #1,141 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Watterson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Watterson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Watterson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Watterson Elementary has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

District

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

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