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Businesses on Lewis Avenue, Watertown, MinnesotaPhoto: Myotus · CC BY 4.0
A−
Schools in Watertown · Watertown-Mayer Public School District

Watertown’s public schools outscore 76% of Minnesota districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Watertown, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Minnesota, not nationally.

#109of 274 Minnesota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
56%
▲ 5 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
49%
▲ 4 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 7–11 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.4K
▼ 21% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.0
MN 14.8 · larger classes
Schools in town
5
1,440 students on the public path
In brief

Watertown’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 56% and math 49% in spring 2022, against 51% and 45% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,431 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is Watertown-Mayer Middle, then Watertown Mayer High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Christ Community Lutheran School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Watertown’s grade

A− Test scoresB Graduation

A−: better than 76% of Minnesota school districts, #109 of 274 Minnesota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Minnesota average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 76%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (1494)Better than 74%
B+AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 753 test results and a graduating class of 144 could put Watertown anywhere from B+ to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Watertown’s students in the tested grades sat them (754 in math, 752 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Watertown, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–4Watertown-Mayer Elementary SchoolWatertown-Mayer Public School DistrictB
5–8Watertown-Mayer MiddleWatertown-Mayer Public School DistrictB−
9–12Watertown Mayer HighWatertown-Mayer Public School DistrictA−

Watertown’s public schools are run by Watertown-Mayer Public School District, which also serves Hollywood, Mayer, Minnetrista and Watertown and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Watertown-Mayer Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,440 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 16.0 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$13,431MN $17,091 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading56%
State average 51.1% · 752 students tested
Math49%
State average 44.8% · 754 students tested

Watertown vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Watertown’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WatertownA−Watertown-Mayer Public

Every school in Watertown

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Minnesota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Watertownby address
Watertown-Mayer Cmty Learning Cntr
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
24 students5:1Rate it →
Watertown-Mayer Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
B
482 students16:1Rate it →
Watertown-Mayer Middle
Middle · Grades 5–8
B−
418 students16:1Rate it →
Watertown Mayer High
High · Grades 9–12
A−
516 students19:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Christ Community Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
173 students22:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (WM - Connections).

Questions about Watertown’s schools

Are Watertown’s schools good?

By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Watertown children attend outscore 76% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #109 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 74%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Watertown in?

Watertown-Mayer Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,440 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Watertown kids go to high school?

Watertown Mayer High, with 516 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Watertown’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Watertown-Mayer Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Watertown spend per student?

$13,431 in Watertown-Mayer Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Watertown?

Yes: Christ Community Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 173 students).

Parents talk

What Watertown families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Watertown → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Minnesota. Stars are from neighbors.