Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

James H Watson Elementary School

Public | PK-4 | 648 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
No new ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

6 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted July 24, 2012

I have two young children at this school and am very pleased with the progress my children have made here. The Principle goes above and beyond any I have ever met and always greets everyone with a smile! I wouldnt move my kids to anywhere else. VERY PLEASED PARENT!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 18, 2009

I have had children in this school system from K - 3rd.In my experiences they are great if your child does not need extra help.But if your child is add/ adhd or they think they are then they want them on the drugs and if you are not willing to drug your child than they frown on you. I feel there is too much emphasis on the schools 4 star rating than helping the children who need the help.i am still struggling with this school and am very disappointed in the teacher this year already.All I have to say is a parent knows their child best so do not let a school system bully you because they want all the kids above average so they look good.Some kids learn at a different pace and they will have to accept that !!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 16, 2009

Because the kindergarten teacher inspires the students to learn. She uses songs and music to help in memorizing how to spell words, name days of the week, months in the year, etc. She uses positive reinforcement and the students enjoy learning as a result. This teacher studied in England where they have the best schools with regard to kindergarten and elementary education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 27, 2008

From the Principal on down, everyone is very kind.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 1, 2007

I have 2 kids at this school currently and 1 who just moved on to middle school. All have had wonderful teachers each and every year. I have been extremely pleased with the education they are getting, as well as a proper atmosphere for learning. I feel confident that Watson will prepare them for anything that lies ahead.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 5, 2004

Watson is overall, a great school. My son attended Watson for Kindergarten and 1st grade. His K teacher, Mrs Brokaw,is simply the best there is, she is the epitome of 'kindergarten teacher'. Mr Buckner is a fantastic principal who carries a great rapport with the students. The PTO is great and has a variety of fun activities for the students throughout the school year. We were sad to have to leave the watson school district!
—Submitted by Michelle Chisholm, a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 85% in 2012.

117 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
92%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

118 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
90%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 82% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
93%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
93%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
96%
Science

The state average for Science was 78% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
94%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
94%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

  • In 2011-2012, this school received a grade of "A".
  • In 2010-2011, this school received a grade of "A".
  • In 2009-2010, this school received a grade of "A".

About the tests


Indiana uses the A through F School Grading System to assess the overall performance of a school. For the 2011-2012 school year, schools were graded based on performance and participation levels in state standardized tests and student growth using the Indiana Growth Model. In addition, high schools were graded on four-year (on-time) graduation rates and college and career readiness indicators including Advanced Placment exam results and industry certification exam results.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

GreatSchools Rating

What makes up this rating?

Academic rating
7 / 10
Climate rating
Not available

This school's GreatSchools Rating is based on academics (90%) and climate (10%). The academic rating measures students' test scores, academic growth and college readiness. The climate rating measures safety, cleanliness, parent involvement and more.

Learn more about our methodology

What is the new GreatSchools Rating?

Rating legend
Below
average
Average
Above
average

Our rating (from 1 to 10) reflects a school's overall performance. The higher the rating, the more likely the school will prepare your child for the future, so choose an above-average school (8-10) if possible. For average schools (4-7), do careful research and look for evidence that the school has high-quality programs. For below-average schools (1-3), take caution; a low-performing school may not provide the instruction or environment your child needs to learn, and you may need to supplement classroom lessons at home.

Academic rating

The academic rating is made up of equally-weighted parts: students' test scores, their academic growth (for elementary and middle schools) and their readiness for college (for high schools). The graphs below compare this school's results in each area to other schools in the city and state. Growth and college readiness ratings are coming soon, pending publication of 2012 data.
Overall academic rating

7

Average

Test score rating 2012*
This school
City
State
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Learn more about this school's test scores »

Student growth rating 2012**
This school
City
State
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
This school
Reading growth
Average
Math growth
Average

*Test scores are based on 2012 ISTEP and ECA results from the state of Indiana.

**The academic growth rating measures how schools affect student test score improvement over time in reading and math. Data is from the 2012 school year and is provided by the Indiana Department of Education.

Climate ratings

Climate rating for this school is not yet available.

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 76% 73%
Hispanic 14% 8%
Multiracial 4% 4%
Black 3% 12%
Asian 2% 2%
American Indian 1% 0%
Native Hawaiin or Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 15%N/A47%
Special education 16%N/A15%
English learners 5%N/A5%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 19N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

333 W 77th St
Schererville, IN 46375
Website: Click here
Phone: (219) 322-1365

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare
ADVERTISEMENT