Average
#991 of 1,850 schools in VA
Watkins Early Childhood Center
School · Newport News City Public Schools
21 Burns Drive, Newport News, VA 23601
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 36 schools in Newport News. Learn more
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – Pre-K
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – Pre-K
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newport News
#16 of 39
public schools
In district
#16 of 40
Newport News City Public Schools
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Watkins Early Childhood Center
Watkins Early Childhood Center is a public school located in Newport News, Virginia. The school serves pre-kindergarten students with an enrollment of 322 kids and offers a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, ensuring individual attention for each child. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the staff-to-student ratio supports a nurturing environment that focuses on early childhood development.
Watkins Early Childhood Center has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and is ranked 34th percentile among Virginia schools. Though specific test scores are not available, the school remains committed to supporting academic growth through its dedicated teaching staff and personalized learning opportunities for young learners. Located in a mid-size city, Watkins Early Childhood Center benefits from being part of a vibrant community that offers resources and support for families with young children.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Watkins Early Childhood Center Compares
See how Watkins Early Childhood Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
21 Burns Drive, Newport News, VA 23601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watkins Early Childhood Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. Mary W. Jackson Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Hampton), which scores notably higher. Another option is PENINSULA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, George P. Phenix Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Hampton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PENINSULA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport News | 0.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Joseph H. Saunders Elementary Newport News | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Deer Park Elementary Newport News | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| EAST END ACADEMY Newport News | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| HAMPTON ROADS INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newport News | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| SUMMIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport News | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL Newport News | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Warwick High Newport News | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Homer L. Hines Middle Newport News | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| George P. Phenix Elementary Hampton | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Sedgefield Elementary Newport News | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Coventry Elementary Yorktown | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Bethel High Hampton | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| HAMPTON ROADS ACADEMY Newport News | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| FIRST FRIENDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hampton | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Bethel Manor Elementary Langley A F B | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle Newport News | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| L.F. Palmer Elementary Newport News | 2.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Riverside Elementary Newport News | 2.5 mi | 2.9 |
| Mary W. Jackson Elementary Hampton | 3.0 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,345
Median Home Value
$235,600
Median Rent
$1,231/mo
Population
26,557
College Educated
27.6%
Homeownership
56.2%
Avg Commute
21.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watkins Early Childhood Center has a median household income of $71,345. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,600, with a median rent of $1,231/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watkins Early Childhood Center
What grades does Watkins Early Childhood Center serve?
Watkins Early Childhood Center serves students in grades Pre-K through Pre-K.
How many students attend Watkins Early Childhood Center?
Watkins Early Childhood Center has an enrollment of approximately 322 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watkins Early Childhood Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Watkins Early Childhood Center is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watkins Early Childhood Center rank in VA?
Watkins Early Childhood Center is ranked #991 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Watkins Early Childhood Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Watkins Early Childhood Center 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.
Is Watkins Early Childhood Center a charter school?
No, Watkins Early Childhood Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watkins Early Childhood Center a Title I school?
No, Watkins Early Childhood Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watkins Early Childhood Center?
100.9% of students at Watkins Early Childhood Center 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
- City Safety
- High (3,173/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newport News). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – Pre-K
- Enrollment
- 322
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Newport News city
- Phone
- (757) 591-4815
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport News City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,183
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,082
- District Rank
- #16 of 40
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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