Top Rankings
Watson Chapel School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arkansas for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public elementary schools serving 959 students in Watson Chapel School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Arkansas.
Public Elementary Schools in Watson Chapel School District have an average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the Arkansas public elementary school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 14% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Arkansas public elementary school average of 43% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (AR)
# Schools
4 Schools
706 Schools
# Students
1,552 Students
305,192 Students
# Teachers
144 Teachers
19,830 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Watson Chapel School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 256 school districts in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 92% has increased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#232 out of 258 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
19%
39%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
14%
36%
Graduation Rate
92%
88%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.22
0.62
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
2%
15%
% Black
88%
19%
% White
8%
57%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
1%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,914 is higher than the state median of $12,975. The school district revenue/student has grown by 50% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,990 is higher than the state median of $12,887. The school district spending/student has grown by 40% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$26 MM
$6,371 MM
Spending
$23 MM
$6,327 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,914
$12,975
Spending / Student
$14,990
$12,887
Best Watson Chapel School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Coleman Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4600 West 13th
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
(870) 879-3697
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
(870) 879-3697
Gr: 2-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #22.
Watson Chapel Junior High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3900 Camden Road
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
(870) 879-4420
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
(870) 879-4420
Gr: 6-8 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: n/an/a
4100 West 32nd
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
(870) 879-1252
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
(870) 879-1252
Gr: K-1 | 199 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
