Very Good
#1485 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 31% in state
Watson School
Elementary School · ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
277 N CENTRE AVE, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rockville Centre
#5 of 6
public schools
New York elementary schools
#909 of 2,549
In district
#6 of 7
ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Watson School
Watson School serves 229 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Rockville Centre, offering an exceptional elementary education with a remarkable 9.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. This regular public school ranks #45 out of 4,758 schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile of New York elementary schools. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, Watson School maintains an impressive 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and small class environments.
The school's academic performance is outstanding, earning a 9.7 out of 10 academic score. Students excel particularly in mathematics, with 93% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 80% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. These strong academic outcomes reflect both the school's quality instruction and the supportive community environment.
The school serves a well-educated neighborhood where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $149,420. The low poverty rate of just 4.2% indicates a stable, resource-rich community that values education. Watson School is situated in Nassau County's large suburban setting, where families enjoy the benefits of a well-established educational community with median home values of $753,300, reflecting the area's commitment to maintaining excellent schools and neighborhoods.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Watson School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Watson School — Students at Watson School score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 test records from NY 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: 5.1/10.
How Watson School Compares
See how Watson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 92% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 97.5% (2019) to 82% (2021).
Location
277 N CENTRE AVE, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HEWITT SCHOOL (rated 9.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is RIVERSIDE SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WILSON SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rockville Centre, see our Rockville Centre schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ROSA LEE YOUNG CHILDHOOD CENTER Rockville Centre | 0.2 mi | — |
| SOUTH SIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| MALVERNE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Malverne | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| HOWARD T HERBER MIDDLE SCHOOL Malverne | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 1.0 mi | 8.9 |
| HEWITT SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 0.9 mi | 9.4 |
| DAVISON AVENUE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Lynbrook | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Malverne | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Malverne | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| EAST ROCKAWAY JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL East Rockaway | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| SCHOOL 5 Oceanside | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| SCHOOL 2 Oceanside | 1.5 mi | 8.3 |
| CENTRE AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL East Rockaway | 1.4 mi | 8.7 |
| CORNWELL AVENUE SCHOOL West Hempstead | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| MAURICE W DOWNING PRIMARY SCHOOL Malverne | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| SCHOOL 6-KINDERGARTEN CENTER Oceanside | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| CASTLETON ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL OF OCEANSIDE Oceanside | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| KINDERGARTEN CENTER Lynbrook | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| WILSON SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 1.4 mi | 8.8 |
| LYNBROOK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lynbrook | 1.5 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11570 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$147,784
Median Home Value
$786,600
Median Rent
$1,804/mo
Population
28,162
College Educated
61.5%
Homeownership
75.7%
Avg Commute
37.8 min
Poverty Rate
5%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watson School has a median household income of $147,784. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $786,600, with a median rent of $1,804/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BEDFORD VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bedford, NY | 7.2 |
| BRIARWOOD SCHOOL Rochester, NY | 7.2 |
| EDWARD R ANDREWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Morrisville, NY | 7.2 |
| GARRISON SCHOOL Garrison, NY | 7.2 |
| GORHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Stanley, NY | 7.2 |
| NASSAU SCHOOL Poughkeepsie, NY | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watson School
What grades does Watson School serve?
Watson School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Watson School?
Watson School has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watson School?
The student-teacher ratio at Watson School is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watson School rank in NY?
Watson School is ranked #1485 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Watson School's MySchoolScout rating?
Watson School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Watson School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watson School has 91.6% math proficiency and 83.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Watson School a charter school?
No, Watson School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watson School a Title I school?
No, Watson School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watson School?
15.3% of students at Watson 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 229
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Nassau County
- Phone
- (516) 255-8904
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 3,326
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $36,755
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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