Summary:
ZIP code 37184 in Watertown, Tennessee is served by three public schools—Watertown Elementary School (PK–8), Watertown Middle School (6–8), and Watertown High School (9–12)—all part of Wilson County Schools, a district ranked 22nd out of 141 in Tennessee with a 4-star rating.
Across the three schools, Watertown Middle School stands out academically with a 84th-percentile state ranking and exceptional Algebra I proficiency of 94.7%, far above the state’s 32.3% and even the district’s 44.6%. Watertown Elementary School is the most improved, jumping from the 61st to the 75th percentile in one year with double-digit gains in math and ELA, and it also has the lowest chronic absenteeism (13.3%). Watertown High School shines in graduation outcomes with a 98.7% rate and a dropout rate of just 1.8%, plus strong Biology and English II scores. However, its Algebra I proficiency is only 28.5%, and chronic absenteeism reaches 21.0%—the highest of the three schools and above both district and state averages.
A striking pattern emerges in math: middle schoolers excel in Algebra I, but the same subject at the high school level lags badly, likely because only accelerated students take it in 8th grade while the rest struggle later. All three schools generally beat state averages in tested subjects, yet trail their own district averages, indicating they are solid schools within a high-performing district. Spending per student does not clearly align with outcomes—the high school spends most at $13,597 but ranks lowest, while the elementary school spends least at $12,021 and posted the biggest improvement. For parents, the takeaway is that this small, cohesive district offers a strong middle school experience and an improving elementary school, but the high school’s math performance and attendance issues are worth watching closely.
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