Average
#491 of 635 schools in WV
Watson Elementary School
Elementary School · Marion County Schools · Fairmont, WV
A Marion County Schools elementary school where students score 5 points below what's typical for similar communities.
1579 Mary Lou Retton Dr, Fairmont, WV 26554
- Math 40% vs WV 52% (2025)
- Reading 40% vs WV 48% (2025)
- 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Watson Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
2025 WVGSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. WV average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 16 points since 2021, reaching 40% in 2025.
Show all 16 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 37% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 39% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 33 test records from WV state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Watson Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 24Car-Dependent
- Bike 18Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High1,865/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Fairmont), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$69,271
Median home value
$181,800
Median rent
$931/mo
College educated
30.1%
Homeownership
72.6%
Poverty rate
13.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 26554; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayenne Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.1 | PK–4 | 0.9 mi | 312 | Compare → |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 9.3 | PK–4 | 1.2 mi | 185 | Compare → |
| Fairmont Catholic Grade SchoolPrivate · tuition | 5.6private | K–8 | 2.2 mi | 138 | Compare → |
| East Park Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.2 | PK–4 | 2.7 mi | 318 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Marion County Schools
- Schools in district
- 21
- Rank in district
- #18 of 19
- District spending per student
- $14,106NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 15.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
Watson Elementary School is listed in MARION COUNTY SCHOOLS; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Watson Elementary School
Watson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fairmont, WV, part of Marion County Schools, serving approximately 376 students in grades Pre-K-4th with a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #491 of 635 schools in WV. State assessment records show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Watson Elementary School
What grades does Watson Elementary School serve?
Watson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Watson Elementary School?
Watson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Watson Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watson Elementary School rank in WV?
Watson Elementary School ranks #491 of 635 schools in WV.
What is Watson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Watson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Watson Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Watson Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Watson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Watson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Watson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Marion County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.6%
- Phone
- (304) 367-2156
- Area population (ZIP 26554)
- 42,116
- Area average commute
- 23.3 min
- Area median age
- 38.6
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 WVGSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 WVGSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- State assessments · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 26554; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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