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C−
Schools in Watertown · South Jefferson Central School District, Watertown City School District

Watertown’s public schools score below 81% of New York districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Watertown’s districts is 33%, below the New York average (46%). The grade covers the two public school districts 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 New York, not nationally.

#667of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 90% 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
37%
▼ 12 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▼ 14 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
70%
▼ 17 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$20.2K
▼ 42% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024 · Watertown City
Students per teacher
12.6
NY 11.2 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
5,114 students on the public path
In brief

Watertown’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 90% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

70% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

South Jefferson Central spends $20,041 per student and Watertown City $20,205, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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

C− Test scoresD− Graduation

C−: better than 19% of New York school districts, #667 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 19%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (1113)Better than 16%
Towns in Jefferson County (22)Better than 0%
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,625 test results and a graduating class of 259 could put Watertown anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 90% of Watertown’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,674 in math, 2,577 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–47 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressD− to C
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressD to C−
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressA

Watertown runs its own schools through grade 12 (South Jefferson Central School District). From grade K, students attend the Watertown City School District, shared with Watertown. Its elementary school is in Adams Center. Parts of Watertown (4% of its land) are served by General Brown Central instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Watertown

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

South Jefferson Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,788 students · 12.2 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$20,041NY $34,607 · FY2024
B
Watertown City School DistrictGrades K–12 · 8 schools · 3,940 students, up 1% since 2020–21 · 12.7 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$20,205NY $34,607 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, South Jefferson Central School District42%
State average 48.9% · 855 students tested
Math · PK–12, South Jefferson Central School District36%
State average 46.5% · 899 students tested
Reading · K–12, Watertown City School District34%
State average 48.9% · 1722 students tested
Math · K–12, Watertown City School District31%
State average 46.5% · 1775 students tested

Watertown vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WatertownC−South Jefferson Central PK–12 · Watertown City K–12
Watertown (city)DWatertown City
Glen Park—General Brown Central
BrownvilleB−General Brown Central
RutlandB−Copenhagen Central PK–12 · Carthage Central PK–12
HounsfieldBSackets Harbor Central
Le RayC+Indian River Central
PameliaC+General Brown Central PK–12 · Indian River Central PK–12
RodmanBSouth Jefferson Central

Every school in Watertown

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

Also serving Watertownin other towns
Maynard P Wilson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Adams Center
C
477 students11:1Rate it →
Mannsville Manor Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Mannsville
C−
338 students13:1Rate it →
North Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
C
435 students13:1Rate it →
Knickerbocker School
Elementary · Grades K–4
C−
340 students12:1Rate it →
Sherman School
Elementary · Grades K–4
C
323 students14:1Rate it →
Ohio Street School
Elementary · Grades K–4
C−
308 students13:1Rate it →
Starbuck Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
D−
153 students11:1Rate it →
Clarke Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Adams
C−
399 students11:1Rate it →
Case Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8
D
586 students11:1Rate it →
Watertown Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12
A
1,181 students14:1Rate it →
South Jefferson High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Adams
A
574 students14:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Watertownrun by other districts or the state
Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida Boces
Grades K–12
Special Education
267 students3:1Rate it →

Questions about Watertown’s schools

Are Watertown’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Watertown children attend score below 81% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #667 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 16%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Watertown in?

Two districts: South Jefferson Central School District runs grades PK–12, and Watertown City School District runs grades K–12, shared with Watertown.

Where do Watertown kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Watertown Senior High School and South Jefferson High School.

What is Watertown’s graduation rate?

70% of the class of 2023 in Watertown City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Watertown spend per student?

$20,041 in South Jefferson Central School District and $20,205 in Watertown City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Watertown families are saying about school.

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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 New York. Stars are from neighbors.