- Enrollment
- 2,926
- Students per teacher
- 19.3:1
- Resource Index
- 25/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Schererville, IN
James H Watson Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for James H Watson Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 60/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 180545000981
👥 S:T ratio 30
🌟 Gifted program 70
📋 Attendance 78
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
James H Watson Elementary School earns 60/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 75% of Indiana schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Indiana schools.
- #2 of 3
- schools in Schererville · Resource Index
- 60
- Resource Index · Higher
- 17.4:1
- large classes for Indiana
- 21.5%
- free-lunch eligible
James H Watson Elementary School has class sizes larger than 75% of Indiana schools. Computed live against every Indiana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, James H Watson Elementary School ranks #2 of 3 schools in Schererville, IN.
School address
District: Lake Central School Corporation · Indiana
NCES ID 180545000981 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-1 students YoY
James H Watson Elementary School held near 655 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-1 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 38.8 → 38.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-1 students YoY 180545000981 · Schererville, IN Other · MID · TRAD
660 enr · 17.4:1 · 21.5% lunch · RII 60
Nearest enrollment peer: Lake Central High School (2,926 students)
James H Watson Elementary School held near 655 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-1 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 38.8 → 38.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Indiana schools → · Find another →
James H Watson Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Lake Central H
Lake Central High School
2,926 students
- Hal E Clark Mi 1,032
Hal E Clark Middle School
1,032 students
- Kahler Middle 971
Kahler Middle School
971 students
- Michael Grimme 814
Michael Grimmer Middle School
814 students
- This school 660
James H Watson Elementary School
660 students
- Protsman Eleme 614
Protsman Elementary School
614 students
What this shows James H Watson Elementary School reports 660 students on the CCD universe file.
How James H Watson Elementary School compares
James H Watson Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Indiana and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Indiana | Indiana avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 17.4:1 | ▲ 9% | 15.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 21.5% | ▼ 57% | 49.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 660 | top 21% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
17.4:1
Leaner classes than 28% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
660
Bigger than 78% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
21.5%
free-lunch eligible
- 57% below the Indiana average of 49.5%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
17.4:1
students per teacher
- 9% above state mean
Top 75% in Indiana - lower ratio than 25% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
8.6%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 5-10% range, close to the pre-pandemic national baseline.
Funding equity
$12,793
per pupil, district-wide
- below Indiana avg of $12,921
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
1
in-school suspensions + 12 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.2 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.0 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 57.7%
Hispanic or Latino 21.1%
African American 12.4%
Two or More 5.3%
Asian 3.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%
Largest group: White at 57.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 60.3/100
Simpson diversity index - at 60.3, James H Watson Elementary School is more mixed than the Indiana school average of 39.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Lake Central School Corporation reports $12,793 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How James H Watson Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Central High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Hal E Clark Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Kahler Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Michael Grimmer Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Protsman Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to James H Watson Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,032
- Students per teacher
- 18.4:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
- Enrollment
- 971
- Students per teacher
- 18:1
- Resource Index
- 52/100
- Enrollment
- 814
- Students per teacher
- 17.3:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 614
- Students per teacher
- 13.6:1
- Resource Index
- 61/100
Similar other schools in Schererville
2 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~660 students)
Frequently asked questions about James H Watson Elementary School
How many students attend James H Watson Elementary School?
James H Watson Elementary School has 660 students enrolled. It is a public school in Schererville, IN. CCD year-over-year: 656 (2022-23) → 655 (2023-24), nearly flat (-1).
What is the student-teacher ratio at James H Watson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at James H Watson Elementary School is 17.4:1, which is 9% higher than the Indiana average of 15.9:1 and 11% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at James H Watson Elementary School?
21.5% of students at James H Watson Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Indiana average of 49.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of James H Watson Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at James H Watson Elementary School is White at 57.7% of enrollment, in Schererville, IN. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 60.3/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for James H Watson Elementary School?
James H Watson Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 60/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does James H Watson Elementary School rank among schools in Schererville?
By Resource Investment Index, James H Watson Elementary School ranks #2 of 3 schools in Schererville, IN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking.
What other schools are in Lake Central School Corporation?
Besides James H Watson Elementary School, Lake Central School Corporation also operates Lake Central High School (2,926 students), Hal E Clark Middle School (1,032 students), and Kahler Middle School (971 students). See the Lake Central School Corporation district page for the complete list.