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James H Watson Elementary School

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

James H Watson Elementary School ranks 209 th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-4

209^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 79% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

James H Watson Elementary School is a PK–4 school with 660 students in Schererville, Indiana, part of the Lake Central School Corporation and the largest of the nearby schools compared here. The district is one of Indiana's strongest, ranking 27th of 374 districts statewide — the 93rd percentile with 5 stars. Watson itself ranked 209th of 1,015 Indiana elementary schools in 2025–2026, the 79th percentile with 4 stars: solid statewide, but fifth of six district elementaries, just ahead of Peifer Elementary School and behind Protsman Elementary School, Homan Elementary School, George Bibich Elementary School, and Kolling Elementary School.

In 2025–2026 ILEARN results, Watson's all-grade proficiency was 58.1% in English Language Arts, 62.38% in Math, and 51.4% in Science. ELA and Math beat the district averages of 57.35% and 56.51%, while Science fell below the district's 54.81%. Compared with its own district peers, though, Watson ranks third in ELA and last among the district's six elementaries in both math and science. Grade 4 math is the sharpest gap: 57.94%, 8.93 points below the district's 66.87%, and fourth-grade science (51.4%) trails the district's 57.4%. Third-grade ELA is a clear bright spot at 64.08%, 23.28 points above the state's 40.8%.

Beyond test scores, chronic absenteeism was 9.0% in 2024–2025 — about half the district's 16.2% and the state's 16.7% — though it has roughly doubled over four years. Per-student spending was $10,430 in 2023–2024, the lowest among all compared schools, and the student–teacher ratio of 17.1 is the highest in its district peer group, yet results still exceed district averages. Free/reduced lunch is 23.79%, lower than several district peers and far lower than other-district neighbors such as Beiriger Elementary School, Elsie Wadsworth Elementary School, Allen J Warren Elementary School, and Mildred Merkley Elementary School. Longer term, Watson has slipped from 38th of 1,046 in 2015–2016 (96th percentile, 5 stars) to the 79th percentile with 4 stars.

660

Students ?

17.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,736

Per pupil spending ?

23.8%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

50%

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

333 W 77th St
Schererville, IN 46375

(219) 322-1365

District: Lake Central School Corporation

Students who attend James H Watson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Michael Grimmer Middle School
High:	Lake Central High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

57.7%

Hispanic:

21.1%

African American:

12.4%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare James H Watson Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 96th percentile in 2016 → 79th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranks in the top 21% of Indiana elementary schools

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 17 percentile points since 2016

!Near the bottom of Lake Central School Corporation's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school58%

District avg57%

209^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Top 21%▼ down 17 pts since 2016

From top 4% (2016) to top 21% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 6Elementary Schools in the Lake Central School Corporation

27^th of 374Lake Central School Corporation 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	77.7	209 of 1015	79.4%	★★★★☆
2025	80.5	176 of 1005	82.5%	★★★★☆
2024	77.9	203 of 1011	79.9%	★★★★☆
2023	81.1	169 of 1016	83.4%	★★★★☆
2022	84.1	130 of 1020	87.3%	★★★★☆
2021	87.1	100 of 1016	90.2%	★★★★★
2019	84.0	121 of 1031	88.3%	★★★★☆
2018	76.7	200 of 1027	80.5%	★★★★☆
2017	88.4	63 of 1033	93.9%	★★★★★
2016	89.3	38 of 1046	96.4%	★★★★★
2015	82.9	116 of 1040	88.8%	★★★★☆
2014	75.9	188 of 1036	81.9%	★★★★☆
2013	83.4	86 of 1035	91.7%	★★★★★
2012	83.2	95 of 1015	90.6%	★★★★★
2011	81.8	103 of 1025	90.0%	★★★★★
2010	89.3	32 of 1009	96.8%	★★★★★
2009	91.0	26 of 1003	97.4%	★★★★★
2008	86.2	68 of 996	93.2%	★★★★★
2007	84.4	89 of 985	91.0%	★★★★★
2006	85.8	73 of 961	92.4%	★★★★★
2005	84.8	82 of 959	91.4%	★★★★★

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Math62%

English Language Arts58%

Science51%

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, May 24, 2019

Watson is amazing school. The teachers take the time to help and educate each and every student. They give free tutoring before school twice a week. It's TRUE dedication! The principal is caring and compassionate toward the students and their family.
Truly the best school system. Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, September 29, 2018

Watson School is consistently a good school year after with excellent teaching and a alert focused staff
Thank you for all you do for the children Close Quote

Schools Near James H 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 All Grades	ILEARN Math 3rd Grade	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th 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 H Watson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	333 W 77th St	Schererville	46375	Lake County	Lake Central School Corporation	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 322-1365	660	39	17.1	23.8%	381 (57.7%)	82 (12.4%)	139 (21.1%)	21 (3.2%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (5.3%)	77.7	209^th of 1015 public elementary schools	79.4%		80.5	176^th of 1005 public elementary schools	82.5%	33	64.1	52.3		58.1	67.0	57.9		62.4	51.4	51.4		50%		$10,736	$754	$9,982
Homan Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	210 E Joliet	Schererville	46375	Lake County	Lake Central School Corporation	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 322-4451	472	35	13.4	37.7%	250 (53.0%)	46 (9.7%)	132 (28.0%)	14 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (6.1%)	84.9	140^th of 1015 public elementary schools	86.2%		76.4	217^th of 1005 public elementary schools	78.4%	77	65.8	59.8		62.6	59.2	71.3		65.6	62.1	62.1		75%		$15,601	$1,108	$14,493
Kolling Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	8801 Wicker Ave	Saint John	46373	Lake County	Lake Central School Corporation	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 365-8577	529	36	14.6	14.9%	386 (73.0%)	25 (4.7%)	90 (17.0%)	12 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.0%)	79.4	187^th of 1015 public elementary schools	81.6%		83	151^st of 1005 public elementary schools	85.0%	36	53.7	48.2		50.6	74.1	68.1		70.7	54.6	54.6		87.6%		$12,275	$83	$12,192
Peifer Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1824 S Cline	Schererville	46375	Lake County	Lake Central School Corporation	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 322-5335	420	30	14.0	36.7%	216 (51.4%)	60 (14.3%)	116 (27.6%)	11 (2.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.8%)	77.6	211^th of 1015 public elementary schools	79.2%		66	327^th of 1005 public elementary schools	67.5%	116	58.1	43.8		50.3	74.4	60.0		66.5	59.1	59.1		72.9%		$14,119	$868	$13,251
George Bibich Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	14600 W 81st St	Dyer	46311	Lake County	Lake Central School Corporation	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 322-1185	547	32	17.0	21.8%	348 (63.6%)	32 (5.9%)	134 (24.5%)	17 (3.1%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.6%)	84.2	145^th of 1015 public elementary schools	85.7%		84.6	140^th of 1005 public elementary schools	86.1%	5	59.5	50.6		55.7	68.6	75.8		71.7	61.5	61.5		72.8%		$11,758	$186	$11,573
Protsman Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1121 Harrison	Dyer	46311	Lake County	Lake Central School Corporation	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 322-2040	614	42	14.6	31.3%	329 (53.6%)	54 (8.8%)	167 (27.2%)	32 (5.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (5.0%)	86.8	114^th of 1015 public elementary schools	88.8%		86.1	122^nd of 1005 public elementary schools	87.9%	8	70.3	54.0		61.3	79.2	69.4		73.8	58.1	58.1		70.8%		$14,139	$1,424	$12,716
Beiriger Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	601 N Lillian St	Griffith	46319	Lake County	Griffith Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 924-4030	426	36	12.0	59.9%	177 (41.5%)	76 (17.8%)	153 (35.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.7%)	63.6	360^th of 1015 public elementary schools	64.5%		58.9	419^th of 1005 public elementary schools	58.3%	59	34.6	50.8	46.0	43.8	50.4	63.1	44.0	52.1	51.5	51.5	50.7			$14,016	$1,369	$12,647
Allen J Warren Elementary School	Public	K-5	2901 100th St	Highland	46322	Lake County	School Town of Highland	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 922-5660	308	15	21.2	48.7%	113 (36.7%)	60 (19.5%)	108 (35.1%)	14 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.2%)	57.9	421^st of 1015 public elementary schools	58.5%		59.2	417^th of 1005 public elementary schools	58.5%	4	51.0	39.6	48.2	46.3	72.9	49.1	39.3	52.9	30.2	30.2	44.6	89.6%		$10,224	$343	$9,881
Lincoln Elementary School	Public	K-2	12245 W 109th Ave	Cedar Lake	46303	Lake County	Hanover Community School Corp	No	No	No	No	(219) 374-3600	305	21	14.2	11.8%	235 (77.0%)	16 (5.2%)	30 (9.8%)	5 (1.6%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.6%)								(n/a)												95.7%		$14,112	$67	$14,046
Elsie Wadsworth Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	600 N Jay St	Griffith	46319	Lake County	Griffith Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 923-4488	477	39	12.2	55.1%	167 (35.0%)	111 (23.3%)	168 (35.2%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.7%)								(n/a)												89.9%		$14,158	$1,352	$12,806

Frequently Asked Questions about James H Watson Elementary School

What district is James H Watson Elementary School in?

Lake Central School Corporation

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

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

Middle : Michael Grimmer Middle School
High : Lake Central High School

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

Students at James H Watson Elementary School are 58% White, 21% Hispanic, 12% African American, 5% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

How many students attend James H Watson Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 660 students attended James H Watson Elementary School.

Is James H Watson Elementary School a good school?

James H Watson Elementary School ranks 209^th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate James H 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.