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Watkins Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1472^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,560 Ohio Elementary Schools

Better than 6% of Ohio elementary schools

Summary

Watkins Elementary School is a PK–5 neighborhood school at 1520 Watkins Rd on Columbus’s southeast side, serving 278 students as part of Columbus City Schools District. For the past decade, Watkins has ranked near the bottom of Ohio schools, with a state percentile between 2 and 10 every year and zero stars in all but one year. In 2025–26, it ranked 1,472nd of 1,560 (6th percentile). On state tests that year, Watkins averaged about 23.8% proficient across grades 3–5 math, ELA, and science, compared with 38.5% for its district and 63.8% statewide. Every tested subject was below the district average.

Compared with nearby schools, Watkins is not the weakest option in its own district cluster, but it trails most others. It ranks fifth of seven nearby district elementaries, ahead of Southwood Elementary School and Moler Elementary School. Its biggest struggles are in grade 5, where proficiency was 23.1% in ELA, 12.8% in science, and 7.7% in math—far below district norms. Chronic absenteeism is 69.9%, the highest among the nearby district schools and 16.1 points above the district rate. Special education students ranked in the 1st percentile statewide. Watkins also spends the most per student among nearby district schools ($12,078), yet has the weakest results in that group—a striking resource-to-outcome mismatch.

There are some encouraging signs. Watkins’ grade 3–5 proficiency average rose to 23.8% in 2025–26 from 16.7% in each of the two prior years, and grade 3 ELA improved for a third straight year. The nearest school, South Columbus Preparatory Academy at Southfield, is just 0.54 miles away and ranked in the 63rd percentile with 76.5% proficiency, showing that proximity does not determine outcomes. Same-district peers like Cedarwood Alternative Elementary School and Berwick Alternative K-8 School also outperform Watkins with lower absenteeism and similar spending. Families should weigh these local alternatives carefully; Watkins has a decade-long pattern of low performance, especially in grade 5, special education, and attendance, though the 2025–26 uptick is worth watching.

278

Students ?

18.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,937

Per pupil spending ?

80.2%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

1520 Watkins Rd
Columbus, OH 43207-3320

(614) 365-6411

District: Columbus City Schools District

Students who attend Watkins Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Buckeye Middle School
High:	Marion-Franklin High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

62.6%

Two or more races:

14.4%

White:

12.2%

See top rated Ohio elementary schools

Compare Watkins Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 8th percentile in 2016 → 6th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Ohio average (24% vs 64% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (6th percentile)

!Science scores 50 pts below the Ohio average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school24%

District avg39%

Ohio avg64%

1,472^nd of 1,560

Ohio public elementary schools ?

Bottom 6%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Ohio Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

57^th of 70Elementary Schools in the Columbus City Schools District

683^rd of 773Columbus City Schools District among Ohio 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	Ohio percentile	Rating
2026	6.5	1472 of 1560	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	3.5	1529 of 1558	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	3.9	1529 of 1577	3.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	7.3	1466 of 1596	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	5.1	1528 of 1588	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	4.9	1577 of 1610	2.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	7.3	1554 of 1676	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	10.1	1471 of 1636	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	5.1	1580 of 1651	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	7.9	1550 of 1678	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	13.5	1477 of 1684	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	4.2	1611 of 1687	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	7.6	1570 of 1701	7.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	5.6	1610 of 1709	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	6.7	1583 of 1686	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	2.6	1616 of 1662	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	2.7	1564 of 1610	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	8.9	1466 of 1582	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	12.0	1457 of 1609	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	8.0	1404 of 1504	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	6.0	1423 of 1501	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2004	0.5	1462 of 1471	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Ohio percentile	Rating
2026	21.3	535 of 631	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	14.9	571 of 615	7.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	15.6	549 of 603	9.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	21.0	506 of 610	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	14.7	548 of 601	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	14.5	520 of 533	2.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	20.5	517 of 605	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	20.8	524 of 598	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Ohio percentile	Rating
2022	14.8	792 of 824	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	9.4	764 of 765	0.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	12.7	907 of 956	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Ohio percentile	Rating
2026	6.4	1368 of 1452	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	2.7	1435 of 1452	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	2.6	1444 of 1466	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	6.6	1377 of 1483	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	2.9	1467 of 1488	1.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	2.5	1461 of 1467	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	9.9	1365 of 1502	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	13.1	1335 of 1518	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Ohio percentile	Rating
2026	7.5	1382 of 1467	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	3.6	1446 of 1473	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	3.9	1445 of 1484	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	10.3	1312 of 1447	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	5.5	1370 of 1419	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	4.7	1390 of 1404	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	10.0	1355 of 1465	7.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	14.0	1321 of 1465	9.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Ohio percentile	Rating
2026	6.3	1380 of 1467	5.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	3.5	1430 of 1466	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	3.6	1443 of 1485	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	7.4	1376 of 1498	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	3.9	1465 of 1518	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	3.5	1485 of 1499	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	4.1	1486 of 1535	3.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	8.5	1412 of 1536	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Ohio percentile	Rating
2026	9.5	909 of 914	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2026)15th percentile+10 vs school

Male (2026)6th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)6th percentile~ school

Female (2026)6th percentile~ school

Disabled (2022)4th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)1st percentile-5 vs school

By subject vs Ohio (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts30%-36 vs state

Mathematics22%-41 vs state

Science13%-50 vs state

★

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Schools Near Watkins 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 Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				Ohio State Tests Science (2026)		Ohio State Tests Mathematics (2026)						Ohio State Tests English Language Arts (2026)						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	Directly certified (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	Ohio State Tests Science 5th Grade	Ohio State Tests Science 8th Grade	Ohio State Tests Mathematics 3rd Grade	Ohio State Tests Mathematics 4th Grade	Ohio State Tests Mathematics 5th Grade	Ohio State Tests Mathematics 6th Grade	Ohio State Tests Mathematics 7th Grade	Ohio State Tests Mathematics 8th Grade	Ohio State Tests English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Ohio State Tests English Language Arts 4th Grade	Ohio State Tests English Language Arts 5th Grade	Ohio State Tests English Language Arts 6th Grade	Ohio State Tests English Language Arts 7th Grade	Ohio State Tests English Language Arts 8th Grade	Total
Watkins Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1520 Watkins Rd	Columbus	43207	Franklin County	Columbus City Schools District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(614) 365-6411	278	15	18.5	80.2%	34 (12.2%)	174 (62.6%)	28 (10.1%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (14.4%)	6.5	1472^nd of 1560 public elementary schools	5.6%		3.5	1529^th of 1558 public elementary schools	1.9%	57	12.8		21.7	35.8	7.7				34.0	31.5	23.1				$14,937
South Columbus Preparatory Academy at Southfield	Public, Charter	K-8	3220 Groveport Rd	Columbus	43207	Franklin County	South Columbus Preparatory Academy at Southfield	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(614) 986-0116	249	15	16.6	62.7%	30 (12.0%)	149 (59.8%)	29 (11.6%)	5 (2.0%)	2 (0.8%)	1 (0.4%)	33 (13.3%)	67.5	579^th of 1560 public elementary schools	62.9%		63.7	649^th of 1558 public elementary schools	58.3%	70	83.3	20.0	82.4	78.6	83.3	36.0	27.8	20.0	70.6	42.9	94.4	64.0	72.2	30.0	$11,575
South Scioto Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	2200 Winslow Dr	Columbus	43207	Franklin County	South Scioto Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(614) 445-7684	224	13	17.2	74.6%	6 (2.7%)	182 (81.3%)	14 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (9.8%)	52	858^th of 1560 public elementary schools	45.0%		57.7	764^th of 1558 public elementary schools	51.0%	94	84.2	64.0	55.0	88.2	42.1	52.9	76.2	60.0	65.0	64.7	52.6	41.2	33.3	24.0	$12,042
Moler Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1201 Moler Rd	Columbus	43207	Franklin County	Columbus City Schools District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(614) 365-5529	287	17	16.8	88.5%	37 (12.9%)	175 (61.0%)	37 (12.9%)	3 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (11.8%)	4	1514^th of 1560 public elementary schools	2.9%		3.6	1527^th of 1558 public elementary schools	2.0%	13	5.0		19.4	21.6	0.0	16.7			16.1	32.4	15.0	4.2			$18,351
Cedarwood Alternative Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	775 Bartfield Dr	Columbus	43207	Franklin County	Columbus City Schools District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(614) 365-5421	326	19	17.1	69.3%	123 (37.7%)	114 (35.0%)	34 (10.4%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	52 (16.0%)	24.1	1207^th of 1560 public elementary schools	22.6%		25.3	1175^th of 1558 public elementary schools	24.6%	32	52.2		43.8	34.6	19.6				50.0	45.1	55.3				$14,492
Parsons Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3231 Lee Ellen Pl	Columbus	43207	Franklin County	Columbus City Schools District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(614) 365-5099	365	21	17.3	84.7%	195 (53.4%)	100 (27.4%)	37 (10.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (8.8%)	17.6	1293^rd of 1560 public elementary schools	17.1%		10.4	1399^th of 1558 public elementary schools	10.2%	106	48.6		30.4	21.3	29.7				25.5	22.9	64.9				$14,108
Lincoln Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	579 E Markison Ave	Columbus	43207	Franklin County	Columbus City Schools District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(614) 365-5524	232	12	19.3	89.7%	64 (27.6%)	120 (51.7%)	21 (9.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	26 (11.2%)	8.2	1442^nd of 1560 public elementary schools	7.6%		5.6	1487^th of 1558 public elementary schools	4.6%	45	28.6		18.2	9.8	33.3	11.4			27.3	21.4	42.9	20.0			$19,832
Ohio Achievement Charter Schools Inc. dba Millennium Commun	Public, Charter	K-8	3500 Refugee Rd	Columbus	43232	Franklin County	Ohio Achievement Charter Schools Inc. dba Millennium Commun	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(614) 255-5585	489	10	48.9	90.6%	1 (0.2%)	472 (96.5%)	7 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.8%)	16.8	1302^nd of 1560 public elementary schools	16.5%		24.2	1196^th of 1558 public elementary schools	23.2%	106	12.0	34.7	28.1	58.5	14.0	17.8	12.0	12.2	39.0	22.0	50.0	46.7	26.0	42.9	$10,848
Southwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1500 S 4th St	Columbus	43207	Franklin County	Columbus City Schools District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(614) 365-5553	309	16	19.3	77.3%	113 (36.6%)	136 (44.0%)	24 (7.8%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (11.0%)	10.7	1400^th of 1560 public elementary schools	10.3%		9.5	1420^th of 1558 public elementary schools	8.9%	20	19.2		22.5	25.7	0.0	38.1			29.3	19.4	23.1	41.5			$14,003
A+ Children's Academy	Public, Charter	K-6	2633 Maybury Rd	Columbus	43232	Franklin County	A+ Children's Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(614) 491-8502	107	4	26.7	65.4%	36 (33.6%)	49 (45.8%)	7 (6.5%)	2 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (12.1%)	17.6	1292^nd of 1560 public elementary schools	17.2%		18	1283^rd of 1558 public elementary schools	17.7%	9				45.5		10.0			40.0	45.5		30.0			$13,236

Frequently Asked Questions about Watkins Elementary School

What district is Watkins Elementary School in?

Columbus City Schools District

How many students attend Watkins Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 278 students attended Watkins Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Watkins Elementary School?

Students at Watkins Elementary School are 63% African American, 14% Two or more races, 12% White, 10% Hispanic.

Is Watkins Elementary School a good school?

Watkins Elementary School ranks in the bottom 5.6% of Ohio elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Watkins Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Watkins Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Buckeye Middle School
High : Marion-Franklin High School

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Latest Ohio data All new data »

2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 15, 2026

2025–26 Ohio State Tests scoresSep 15, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 17, 2025

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