Very Good
#270 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 21% 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
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Louisiana schools
#270 of 1,288
In Iowa
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#21 of 55
Calcasieu Parish
School environment
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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J. I. Watson Elementary School
Elementary School in Iowa · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Iowa High School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lebleu Settlement Elementary School
5.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About J. I. Watson Elementary School
J. I. Watson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Iowa, LA, part of Calcasieu Parish.
J. I. Watson Elementary School serves approximately 524 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio.
J. I. Watson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #270 of 1,288 schools in LA.
Structured state assessment records for J. I. Watson Elementary School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- District avg 7.0
- LA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
J. I. Watson Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
J. I. Watson Elementary School — Students at J. I. Watson Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
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 40 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: 7.3/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.9/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Lake Charles), which scores notably higher. Another option is John J. Johnson II Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Lake Charles), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, T. H. Watkins Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Lake Charles), with a very similar rating. 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chateau Estates School Kenner, LA | 7.7 |
| Cut Off Elementary School Cut Off, LA | 7.7 |
| Jefferson Island Road Elementary New Iberia, LA | 7.7 |
| Loreauville Elementary School Loreauville, LA | 7.7 |
| Ossun Elementary School Lafayette, LA | 7.7 |
| Shenandoah Elementary School Baton Rouge, LA | 7.7 |
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 ranks #270 of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is J. I. Watson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
J. I. Watson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 J. I. Watson Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, J. I. Watson Elementary School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.0%
- Phone
- (337) 217-4670
Resources & Links
District
Calcasieu Parish- District Enrollment
- 29,282
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,724
- District Rank
- #21 of 55
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