At a glance
Reported students
660
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
38.5
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
17.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–04
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Indiana elementary enrollment
89th percentile
Compared with 1,053 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
637
James H Watson Elementary School: 660 reported students.
State peer staffing position
81st percentile
17.1:1 reported; state peer median 15:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 496
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31.24
- Student–teacher ratio
- 15.9:1
What the reported data says about James H Watson Elementary School
James H Watson Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–04 in Schererville. It is one of 10 current school records connected to Lake Central School Corporation. NCES reports 660 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,053 elementary schools in Indiana with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 434 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 89th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 17.1:1, above the Indiana median of 15:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (57.7%) and Hispanic or Latino (21.1%). English learners represent 14.1% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 16.9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking James H Watson Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 17.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 38.5 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 14.1%
- Students with disabilities
- 16.9%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 23.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White57.7%
- Hispanic21.1%
- Black12.4%
- Asian3.2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial5.3%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Lake Central School Corporation
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Protsman Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–04
614 reported students
George Bibich Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–04
547 reported students
Kolling Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–04
529 reported students
Homan Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–04
472 reported students
Peifer Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–04
420 reported students
Michael Grimmer Middle School
Middle · Grades 05–08
814 reported students
Public schools near James H Watson Elementary School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homan Elementary School Elementary · Lake Central School Corporation | PK–04 | 472 | 1.3 mi |
| Kolling Elementary School Elementary · Lake Central School Corporation | PK–04 | 529 | 1.4 mi |
| Peifer Elementary School Elementary · Lake Central School Corporation | PK–04 | 420 | 1.5 mi |
| George Bibich Elementary School Elementary · Lake Central School Corporation | PK–04 | 547 | 2.7 mi |
| Protsman Elementary School Elementary · Lake Central School Corporation | PK–04 | 614 | 3.7 mi |
| Beiriger Elementary School Elementary · Griffith Public Schools | PK–05 | 426 | 3.8 mi |
Frequently asked questions about James H Watson Elementary School
What grades does James H Watson Elementary School serve?
James H Watson Elementary School reports grades PK–04 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Lake Central School Corporation.
How many students attend James H Watson Elementary School?
James H Watson Elementary School reported 660 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 89th percentile among 1,053 Indiana elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 496 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at James H Watson Elementary School?
The calculated ratio is 17.1:1, based on 660 students and 38.5 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Indiana median for the same school level is 15:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is James H Watson Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?
James H Watson Elementary School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Lake Central School Corporation attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of James H Watson Elementary School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
23.8% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is James H Watson Elementary School in?
James H Watson Elementary School is part of Lake Central School Corporation, based in Saint John, IN, which operates 10 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near James H Watson Elementary School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Homan Elementary School (1.3 mi), Kolling Elementary School (1.4 mi), Peifer Elementary School (1.5 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.