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Average

#1852 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Chaplain Charles Watters School

Elementary School · Jersey City Public Schools

220 VIRGINIA AVE, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Enrollment

552

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,852 of 2,466

In Jersey City

#38 of 52

public schools

In district

#28 of 39

Jersey City Public Schools

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Chaplain Charles Watters School

5.3/10

Elementary School in Jersey City · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Empowerment Academy Charter School

5.6/10

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

Dr. Paul Rafalides School

8.1/10

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

About Chaplain Charles Watters School

Chaplain Charles Watters School is a public elementary school in Jersey City, NJ, part of Jersey City Public Schools. Chaplain Charles Watters School serves approximately 552 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Chaplain Charles Watters School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,852 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Chaplain Charles Watters School show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Chaplain Charles Watters School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

46% of students at Chaplain Charles Watters School 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 Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+3.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-33.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.9 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-15.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,525
Chronic Absenteeism46.2%

Chaplain Charles Watters School — Students at Chaplain Charles Watters School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 16.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.0% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 23.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 53 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
37%
ELA
34%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
36%
2011
Math
46%
ELA
35%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
39%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
11%
ELA
24%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
11%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
11%
ELA
28%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
24%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
24%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
17%
2024
Math
8%
ELA
17.8%
2025
Math
14%
ELA
18%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Chaplain Charles Watters School Compares

See how Chaplain Charles Watters School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
25th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.2%

Location

220 VIRGINIA AVE, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chaplain Charles Watters School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Julia A. Barnes School (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr. Paul Rafalides School (rated 8.1/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ALOYSIUS ELEMENTARY ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jersey City, see our Jersey City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Empowerment Academy Charter School Jersey City 0.1 mi 5.6
Dr. Paul Rafalides School Jersey City 0.2 mi 8.1
Henry Snyder High School Jersey City 0.4 mi 4.5
Innovation High School Jersey City 0.4 mi 5.3
Academy I Jersey City 0.5 mi 8.0
Ollie Culbreth Jr. School Jersey City 0.4 mi 3.5
PHILLIPS GLOBAL INSTITUTE Jersey City 0.6 mi
Gladys Nunery School Jersey City 0.6 mi 4.2
University Academy Charter High School Jersey City 0.5 mi 5.0
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Jersey City 0.6 mi 4.0
ST ALOYSIUS ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Jersey City 0.7 mi 7.4
James F. Murray School Jersey City 0.6 mi 6.2
Learning Community Charter School Jersey City 0.6 mi 6.3
Dr Lena Edwards Academic Charter School Jersey City 0.6 mi 4.8
Whitney M. Young Jr. School Jersey City 0.9 mi 3.3
Martin Center for the Arts Jersey City 0.8 mi 3.8
Joseph H. Brensinger School Jersey City 0.7 mi 5.9
ST DOMINIC ACADEMY Jersey City 0.8 mi 7.4
Lincoln High School Jersey City 0.7 mi 3.7
Julia A. Barnes School Jersey City 0.7 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,432

Median Home Value

$489,400

Median Rent

$1,572/mo

Population

49,260

College Educated

39.7%

Homeownership

26%

Avg Commute

35.5 min

Poverty Rate

20%

Median Age

34.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Barley Sheaf Elementary School Flemington, NJ 5.3
Benjamin Banneker Academy East Orange, NJ 5.3
Bradley Elementary School Asbury Park, NJ 5.3
Cedar Creek Elementary School Lanoka Harbor, NJ 5.3
Constable Elementary School Kendall Park, NJ 5.3
Delia Bolden Elementary School Maplewood, NJ 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chaplain Charles Watters School

What grades does Chaplain Charles Watters School serve?

Chaplain Charles Watters School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Chaplain Charles Watters School?

Chaplain Charles Watters School has an enrollment of approximately 552 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chaplain Charles Watters School?

The student-teacher ratio at Chaplain Charles Watters School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chaplain Charles Watters School rank in NJ?

Chaplain Charles Watters School ranks #1,852 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Chaplain Charles Watters School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chaplain Charles Watters School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Chaplain Charles Watters School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chaplain Charles Watters School has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Chaplain Charles Watters School a charter school?

No, Chaplain Charles Watters School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chaplain Charles Watters School a Title I school?

No, Chaplain Charles Watters School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chaplain Charles Watters School?

65.8% of students at Chaplain Charles Watters 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

Walk Score
79 Very Walkable
Transit Score
76 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
552
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hudson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.2%

District

Jersey City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,293
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,525
District Rank
#28 of 39

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