Average
#321 of 635 schools in WV
Watson Elementary School
Elementary School · MARION COUNTY SCHOOLS
1579 Mary Lou Retton Dr, Fairmont, WV 26554
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fairmont
#5 of 8
public schools
West Virginia elementary schools
#238 of 407
In district
#12 of 19
MARION COUNTY SCHOOLS
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Watson Elementary School
Watson Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Fairmont, West Virginia. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and has an enrollment of 376 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1. Watson Elementary has 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Watson Elementary scores a 5.3 out of 10 overall and is ranked as the 342nd best school in West Virginia among 641 schools. In terms of academic performance, students at Watson Elementary have shown proficiency rates of 30% for ELA/Reading and 32% for Math across all grades. Watson Elementary School is situated in a town setting within Marion County.
The school focuses on student development with room for academic growth and improvement. Fairmont offers a supportive community environment for students to thrive outside the classroom as well.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Watson Elementary School — Students at Watson Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from WV 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: 7.1/10.
How Watson Elementary School Compares
See how Watson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2021) to 32% (2022).
Location
1579 Mary Lou Retton Dr, Fairmont, WV 26554
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jayenne Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Barrackville Elementary/Middle School (rated 8.9/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Barrackville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, White Hall Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby White Hall), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fairmont, see our Fairmont schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 26554 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,271
Median Home Value
$181,800
Median Rent
$931/mo
Population
42,116
College Educated
30.1%
Homeownership
72.6%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
38.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watson Elementary School has a median household income of $69,271. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,800, with a median rent of $931/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Dale Elementary School Fairmont, WV | 6.3 |
| Peterson-Central Elementary School Weston, WV | 6.3 |
| Princeton Primary School Princeton, WV | 6.3 |
| Athens Elementary School Athens, WV | 6.2 |
| Belmont Elementary School Belmont, WV | 6.2 |
| Montcalm Elementary School Rock, WV | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #321 out of 635 schools in WV.
What is Watson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Watson Elementary School 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.
What are the test scores at Watson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watson Elementary School has 32.0% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,865/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fairmont). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (304) 367-2156
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MARION COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 7,291
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,106
- District Rank
- #12 of 19
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.
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