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James R Watson Elementary School

Q: Is James R Watson Elementary School a good school?

James R Watson Elementary School ranks 304 th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

304^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 70% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

James R Watson Elementary School is a PK–5 school at 901 Eckhart Ave in Auburn, Indiana, serving 590 students as one of three elementary schools in the DeKalb County Ctl United School District in northeastern Indiana.

Watson is currently ranked #304 of 1,015 Indiana elementary schools — the 70th percentile with 4 stars — making it the highest-ranked school in its own district. It outperforms its district neighbors across the board: McKenney-Harrison Elementary School (1.1 miles away) ranks at the 61st percentile, Country Meadow Elementary School at the 45th, and Waterloo Elementary School (just 4.2 miles away) at the 29th. Watson's ELA proficiency is more than 13 points above the average of the district's three elementaries. Perhaps its most striking strength is attendance: chronic absenteeism is 6.3%, less than half the district rate and about a third of the state rate, and it has stayed low even in years when the district's rate spiked.

In the classroom, Watson beats the state in 7 of 8 tested subjects. Fourth grade is the standout: 70.73% proficiency in math and 56.10% in science, both well above state averages. Math and science are the school's engine, while ELA is comparatively its laggard, though still above the state line. Two areas to watch: third-grade math (48.86%) is the only subject below the state, and social studies has slid over four years. Watson achieves its results efficiently — $9,898 per student (fourth-lowest among nearby schools) with the largest classes in the comparison group at 19.3:1.

590

Students ?

19.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,569

Per pupil spending ?

40.2%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

77.9%

Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (2025-26)

901 Eckhart Ave
Auburn, IN 46706

(260) 920-1014

District: DeKalb County Ctl United School District

Students who attend James R Watson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	DeKalb Middle School
High:	DeKalb High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.2%

Hispanic:

7.6%

Two or more races:

2.0%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare James R Watson Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 69th percentile in 2016 → 70th in 2026

Strengths

✓Among the top-ranked schools in DeKalb County Ctl United School District

✓Above the Indiana median (70th percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg41%

Indiana avg47%

304^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Top 30%▲ up 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 4Elementary Schools in the DeKalb County Ctl United School District

181^st of 374DeKalb County Ctl United School District among Indiana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2026	68.6	304 of 1015	70.0%	★★★★☆
2025	63.1	364 of 1005	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.9	272 of 1011	73.1%	★★★★☆
2023	77.8	202 of 1016	80.1%	★★★★☆
2022	87.6	95 of 1020	90.7%	★★★★★
2021	84.3	131 of 1016	87.1%	★★★★☆
2019	73.2	255 of 1031	75.3%	★★★★☆
2018	68.1	337 of 1027	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	73.1	266 of 1033	74.2%	★★★★☆
2016	68.5	329 of 1046	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2015	69.7	298 of 1040	71.3%	★★★★☆
2014	69.9	308 of 1036	70.3%	★★★★☆
2013	68.2	334 of 1035	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	55.0	537 of 1015	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2011	68.6	318 of 1025	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	64.0	391 of 1009	61.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	70.4	294 of 1003	70.7%	★★★★☆
2008	62.1	395 of 996	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2007	51.9	561 of 985	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2006	58.2	436 of 961	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2005	59.7	417 of 959	56.5%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Science56%

Math54%

Social Studies49%~ state avg

English Language Arts48%

★

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Schools Near James R Watson Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2026)					ILEARN Math (2026)					ILEARN Science (2026)			ILEARN Social Studies (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ILEARN English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 4th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 5th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 6th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts All Grades	ILEARN Math 3rd Grade	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math 6th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th Grade	ILEARN Science 6th Grade	ILEARN Science All Grades	ILEARN Social Studies 5th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
James R Watson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	901 Eckhart Ave	Auburn	46706	DeKalb County	DeKalb County Ctl United School District	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 920-1014	590	30	19.3	40.2%	526 (89.2%)	3 (0.5%)	45 (7.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.7%)	12 (2.0%)	68.6	304^th of 1015 public elementary schools	70.0%		63.1	364^th of 1005 public elementary schools	63.8%	60	45.5	48.8	50.5		48.4	48.9	70.7	46.2		54.4	56.1		56.1	49.0	77.9%		$9,569	$278	$9,291
McKenney-Harrison Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	400 South Indiana Ave	Auburn	46706	DeKalb County	DeKalb County Ctl United School District	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 920-1015	620	33	18.5	57.1%	556 (89.7%)	2 (0.3%)	35 (5.6%)	9 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.6%)	14 (2.3%)	60	393^rd of 1015 public elementary schools	61.3%		61.3	379^th of 1005 public elementary schools	62.3%	14	20.7	52.9	42.9		39.6	35.6	57.8	57.1		50.6	46.1		46.1	61.9	85.3%		$9,460	$377	$9,083
Waterloo Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	300 E Douglas St	Waterloo	46793	DeKalb County	DeKalb County Ctl United School District	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 920-1011	247	14	17.7	63.6%	226 (91.5%)	2 (0.8%)	9 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.0%)	30.1	719^th of 1015 public elementary schools	29.2%		29.5	734^th of 1005 public elementary schools	27.0%	15	14.3	28.6	20.0		20.3	39.3	57.1	30.0		40.5	42.9		42.9	20.0	84.8%		$12,072	$908	$11,164
J E Ober Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	801 E Houston St	Garrett	46738	DeKalb County	Garrett-Keyser-Butler Com School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 357-3112	704	51	13.9	59.5%	634 (90.1%)	2 (0.3%)	33 (4.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.7%)	30 (4.3%)	30.8	712^th of 1015 public elementary schools	29.9%		26.8	758^th of 1005 public elementary schools	24.6%	46	28.4	37.0	17.1		27.4	43.0	34.5	20.3		32.7	40.3		40.3	30.1	88.5%		$11,003	$667	$10,336
Country Meadow Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2410 Cr 10	Ashley	46705	DeKalb County	DeKalb County Ctl United School District	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 920-1017	314	19	16.5	48.1%	287 (91.4%)	3 (1.0%)	14 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.2%)	46.7	555^th of 1015 public elementary schools	45.3%		37.4	647^th of 1005 public elementary schools	35.6%	92	27.8	46.4	31.0		36.6	41.7	57.1	35.7		46.3	37.5		37.5	35.7	92.3%		$10,753	$650	$10,103
Riverdale Elementary School	Public	K-6	6127 Sr 1	Saint Joe	46785	DeKalb County	DeKalb County Eastern Com School District	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 337-5464	300	17	17.8	41.7%	277 (92.3%)	2 (0.7%)	12 (4.0%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.3%)	73.6	251^st of 1015 public elementary schools	75.3%		71.6	270^th of 1005 public elementary schools	73.1%	19	42.9	50.0	47.7	42.2	45.3	38.1	66.7	68.2	48.9	54.7	56.7	60.0	58.7	77.3	85.7%		$10,893	$546	$10,347
Butler Elementary School	Public	K-6	1025 S Broadway	Butler	46721	DeKalb County	DeKalb County Eastern Com School District	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 868-2123	366	27	13.6	68.3%	332 (90.7%)	4 (1.1%)	22 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.6%)	19.5	828^th of 1015 public elementary schools	18.4%		15.7	853^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	15.1%	25	24.6	20.9	13.0	18.2	19.8	41.5	29.9	6.5	13.6	25.2	23.9	29.6	26.1	23.9	85.7%		$12,640	$535	$12,105
Avilla Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	200 W Washington St	Avilla	46710	Noble County	East Noble School Corporation	No	No	No	No	(260) 897-2301	422	28	14.8	29.6%	395 (93.6%)	2 (0.5%)	18 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.7%)	49.9	527^th of 1015 public elementary schools	48.1%		55.4	455^th of 1005 public elementary schools	54.7%	72	34.7	42.1	32.9		36.3	46.9	56.1	38.2		46.2	47.4		47.4	38.2	93.6%		$11,405	$550	$10,855
Cedar Canyon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	15011 Coldwater Rd	Fort Wayne	46845	Allen County	Northwest Allen County Schools	No	No	No	No	(260) 637-6101	508	34	15.0	9.6%	421 (82.9%)	5 (1.0%)	23 (4.5%)	31 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	27 (5.3%)	86.9	112^th of 1015 public elementary schools	89.0%		84.7	137^th of 1005 public elementary schools	86.4%	25	49.4	60.5	56.6		55.5	75.3	79.0	59.0		70.8	68.4		68.4	72.3	94.8%		$10,655	$354	$10,301
South Side Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1350 S Sherman St	Kendallville	46755	Noble County	East Noble School Corporation	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 349-2200	300	23	13.1	48.3%	247 (82.3%)	5 (1.7%)	39 (13.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.7%)	29.2	728^th of 1015 public elementary schools	28.3%		30.2	727^th of 1005 public elementary schools	27.7%	1	20.0	18.0	27.7		21.9	42.5	40.0	27.7		36.5	34.0		34.0	36.2	100%		$12,388	$1,051	$11,337

Frequently Asked Questions about James R Watson Elementary School

How many students attend James R Watson Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 590 students attended James R Watson Elementary School.

Is James R Watson Elementary School a good school?

James R Watson Elementary School ranks 304^th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is James R Watson Elementary School in?

DeKalb County Ctl United School District

What schools do graduates of James R Watson Elementary School attend?

Students who attend James R Watson Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : DeKalb Middle School
High : DeKalb High School

What is the racial makeup of James R Watson Elementary School?

Students at James R Watson Elementary School are 89% White, 8% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

Rate James R Watson Elementary School!

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Latest Indiana data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 28, 2026

2025–26 attendance dataNewOct 28, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 20, 2026

2023–24 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Indiana Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.