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Needs Improvement

#804 of 863 schools in MS

A. W. Watson Elementary

Elementary School · CLAIBORNE CO SCHOOL DIST

880 Anthony St., Port Gibson, MS 39150

Enrollment

518

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#804 of 863

In Port Gibson

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

CLAIBORNE CO SCHOOL DIST

School environment

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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A. W. Watson Elementary

3.7/10

Elementary School in Port Gibson · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Port Gibson Middle School

4.6/10

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

Port Gibson High School

6.5/10

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

About A. W. Watson Elementary

A. W. Watson Elementary is a public elementary school in Port Gibson, MS, part of CLAIBORNE CO SCHOOL DIST.

A. W. Watson Elementary serves approximately 518 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio.

A. W. Watson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #804 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for A. W. Watson Elementary show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.9 pts below MS schools
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • MS avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

A. W. Watson Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-2.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.2% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.8% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-33.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,923
Chronic Absenteeism25.3%

A. W. Watson Elementary — Students at A. W. Watson Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.9% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 33.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 35 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
58%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
50%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
59%
2013
Math
54%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
13%
2016
Math
19%
ELA
15%
2017
Math
33%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
11%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
11%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
38%
2025
Math
20.3%
ELA
34.8%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How A. W. Watson Elementary Compares

See how A. W. Watson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
7th percentile in MS
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

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

880 Anthony St., Port Gibson, MS 39150

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering A. W. Watson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BEECHWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 26.8 miles away, in nearby Vicksburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is WARRENTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Vicksburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JEFFERSON CO ELEM SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Fayette), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Port Gibson, see our Port Gibson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.8 mi
School Distance Rating
PORT GIBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Port Gibson 1.3 mi 4.6
PORT GIBSON HIGH SCHOOL Port Gibson 2.7 mi 6.5
Tensas High School St. Joseph 14.8 mi 7.6
JEFFERSON CO HIGH Fayette 17.6 mi 6.4
TENSAS ACADEMY Saint Joseph 15.2 mi 8.4
Tensas Elementary School St. Joseph 15.3 mi 5.8
WARRENTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vicksburg 19.5 mi 7.9
JEFFERSON CO ELEM SCHOOL Fayette 19.5 mi 7.7
VICKSBURG INTERMEDIATE Vicksburg 21.6 mi 5.6
DANA ROAD ELEMENTARY Vicksburg 21.7 mi 2.3
SOUTH PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vicksburg 22.1 mi 4.9
VICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL Vicksburg 25.0 mi 5.4
BOWMAR AVENUE SCHOOL Vicksburg 25.8 mi 6.6
PORTERS CHAPEL ACADEMY Vicksburg 26.5 mi 7.0
VICKSBURG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Vicksburg 26.8 mi 4.5
WARREN CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Vicksburg 26.8 mi 5.9
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH KINDERGARTEN & PRESCHOOL Vicksburg 26.9 mi
UTICA ELEM. / MIDDLE SCHOOL Utica 23.7 mi 7.4
ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEM-VICKSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Vicksburg 27.1 mi 6.5
BEECHWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vicksburg 26.8 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39150 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,343

Median Home Value

$85,300

Median Rent

$629/mo

Population

5,094

College Educated

23%

Homeownership

75.2%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

24.3%

Median Age

40.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
WILKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 3.7
GALLOWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 3.8
OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel, MS 3.8
WALTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 3.8
COLUMBIA PRIMARY SCHOOL Columbia, MS 3.9
PECAN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about A. W. Watson Elementary

What grades does A. W. Watson Elementary serve?

A. W. Watson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend A. W. Watson Elementary?

A. W. Watson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 518 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at A. W. Watson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at A. W. Watson Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does A. W. Watson Elementary rank in MS?

A. W. Watson Elementary ranks #804 of 863 schools in MS.

What is A. W. Watson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

A. W. Watson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 A. W. Watson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, A. W. Watson Elementary has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is A. W. Watson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is A. W. Watson Elementary a Title I school?

No, A. W. Watson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for A. W. Watson Elementary?

100.0% of students at A. W. Watson 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
518
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Claiborne County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

District

CLAIBORNE CO SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
1,156
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,923
District Rank
#3 of 3

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