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Average

#643 of 1,288 schools in LA

Top 50% in state

T. H. Watkins Elementary School

Elementary School · Calcasieu Parish

2501 Seventh Avenue, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Enrollment

186

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lake Charles

#26 of 34

public schools

Louisiana elementary schools

#350 of 703

In district

#37 of 55

Calcasieu Parish

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About T. H. Watkins Elementary School

T. H. Watkins Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, within Calcasieu Parish.

The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 186 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, T. H.

Watkins provides a supportive learning environment where each child receives individual attention. The academic performance at T. H.

Watkins Elementary is rated at 5.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 748th out of 1290 schools in Louisiana, placing it around the 42nd percentile statewide. The school’s combined proficiency rate for all subjects across grades K-5 stands at 21%, with a higher percentage proficient in ELA/Reading (44%) compared to Math (39%). While there is room for academic growth, the school continues to focus on developing its students’ skills and knowledge.

T. H. Watkins Elementary School is situated in a small city setting within Lake Charles, providing a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong connections between families and educators.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 186 students, T. H. Watkins Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-5.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-14 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,543

T. H. Watkins Elementary School — Students at T. H. Watkins Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.8%
School
State
35.9%
ELA Proficiency 39.3%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 18 test records from LA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
25%
ELA
35%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How T. H. Watkins Elementary School Compares

See how T. H. Watkins Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in LA
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

2501 Seventh Avenue, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering T. H. Watkins Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School (rated 8.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARGARET CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John J. Johnson II Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake Charles, see our Lake Charles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Oak Park Middle School Lake Charles 0.4 mi 9.7
Oak Park Elementary School Lake Charles 0.5 mi 6.9
ST MARGARET CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lake Charles 1.2 mi 8.1
Lake Charles College Prep Lake Charles 1.4 mi 4.9
Pearl Watson Elementary School Lake Charles 1.4 mi 6.5
Fairview Elementary School Lake Charles 1.6 mi 6.7
Lake Charles Charter Academy Lake Charles 1.7 mi 6.8
Brentwood Elementary School Lake Charles 1.6 mi 5.9
John J. Johnson II Elementary School Lake Charles 1.7 mi 8.0
LaGrange High School Lake Charles 1.6 mi 4.7
ST LOUIS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lake Charles 1.6 mi 5.6
Henry Heights Elementary School Lake Charles 1.7 mi 5.2
T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School Lake Charles 1.7 mi 8.8
BISHOP NOLAND EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Lake Charles 2.2 mi 8.1
Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy Lake Charles 2.3 mi 6.5
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Lake Charles 2.2 mi 5.7
Ralph F. Wilson Elementary School Lake Charles 2.5 mi 6.6
F. K. White Middle School Lake Charles 2.6 mi 9.7
Barbe Elementary School Lake Charles 2.5 mi 6.4
College Oaks Elementary School Lake Charles 2.6 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 70601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,545

Median Home Value

$164,300

Median Rent

$938/mo

Population

31,843

College Educated

24.9%

Homeownership

60.4%

Poverty Rate

27.4%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding T. H. Watkins Elementary School has a median household income of $49,545. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,300, with a median rent of $938/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Montegut Elementary School Montegut, LA 6.3
ST JAMES EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Baton Rouge, LA 6.3
ST STEPHEN CATHOLIC SCHOOL New Orleans, LA 6.3
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Marrero, LA 6.2
Colfax Elementary School Colfax, LA 6.2
Krotz Springs Elementary School Krotz Springs, LA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about T. H. Watkins Elementary School

What grades does T. H. Watkins Elementary School serve?

T. H. Watkins Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend T. H. Watkins Elementary School?

T. H. Watkins Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 186 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at T. H. Watkins Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at T. H. Watkins Elementary School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does T. H. Watkins Elementary School rank in LA?

T. H. Watkins Elementary School is ranked #643 out of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is T. H. Watkins Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

T. H. Watkins Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 T. H. Watkins Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, T. H. Watkins Elementary School has 31.8% math proficiency and 39.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is T. H. Watkins Elementary School a charter school?

No, T. H. Watkins Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is T. H. Watkins Elementary School a Title I school?

No, T. H. Watkins Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for T. H. Watkins Elementary School?

88.7% of students at T. H. Watkins 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

City Safety
High (3,083/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake Charles). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Calcasieu Parish
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Calcasieu Parish
District Enrollment
29,282
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,724
District Rank
#37 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.

Read our full methodology

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