Average
#523 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 41% in state
J. I. Watson Elementary School
Elementary School · Calcasieu Parish
201 E First St, Iowa, LA 70647
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Iowa
#1 of 2
public schools
Louisiana elementary schools
#288 of 703
In district
#31 of 55
Calcasieu Parish
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About J. I. Watson Elementary School
J. I. Watson Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural setting of Iowa, Louisiana, within Calcasieu Parish.
The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 524 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1. With 42 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, J. I.
Watson Elementary School provides a supportive learning environment where each child receives individualized attention. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, placing it in the 55th percentile among Louisiana schools. On standardized tests, 28% of students are proficient or above across all subjects and grade levels, with higher proficiency rates in ELA/Reading (54%) compared to Math (36%).
While there is room for academic growth, J. I. Watson Elementary School focuses on developing a strong foundation for its young learners.
J. I. Watson Elementary School is situated near the town of Iowa, offering students access to both rural tranquility and community resources.
The school’s setting provides a close-knit environment where families and educators work together to support student development.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, J. I. Watson Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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J. I. Watson Elementary School — Students at J. I. Watson Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from LA 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: 5.9/10.
How J. I. Watson Elementary School Compares
See how J. I. Watson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
201 E First St, Iowa, LA 70647
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J. I. Watson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LeBleu Settlement Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Lake Charles), which scores notably higher. Another option is John J. Johnson II Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Lake Charles), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Combre-Fondel Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Lake Charles), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Iowa, see our Iowa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 70647 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,048
Median Home Value
$251,400
Median Rent
$1,134/mo
Population
12,056
College Educated
22.4%
Homeownership
85.8%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
9%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding J. I. Watson Elementary School has a median household income of $83,048. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,400, with a median rent of $1,134/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Audubon Charter Gentilly New Orleans, LA | 6.7 |
| BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City Baton Rouge, LA | 6.7 |
| Claiborne Fundamental Elementary School Shreveport, LA | 6.7 |
| Eastside Elementary School Denham Springs, LA | 6.7 |
| Fairview Elementary School Lake Charles, LA | 6.7 |
| Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary School Jonesboro, LA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J. I. Watson Elementary School
What grades does J. I. Watson Elementary School serve?
J. I. Watson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend J. I. Watson Elementary School?
J. I. Watson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 524 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J. I. Watson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at J. I. Watson Elementary School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J. I. Watson Elementary School rank in LA?
J. I. Watson Elementary School is ranked #523 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is J. I. Watson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
J. I. Watson Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 J. I. Watson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J. I. Watson Elementary School has 36.0% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J. I. Watson Elementary School a charter school?
No, J. I. Watson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J. I. Watson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, J. I. Watson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J. I. Watson Elementary School?
73.3% of students at J. I. 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
- High (3,323/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Iowa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 524
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Calcasieu Parish
- Phone
- (337) 217-4670
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Calcasieu Parish- District Enrollment
- 29,282
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,724
- District Rank
- #31 of 55
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.
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