Watson Technology Center

Watson Technology Center
Address
2601 Dairy Road
Garland, Texas, Dallas County, 75041
United States
Coordinates 32°53′13″N 96°37′21″W / 32.88703°N 96.62249°WCoordinates: 32°53′13″N 96°37′21″W / 32.88703°N 96.62249°W
Information
School type Public elementary school
Opened 1956[1]
School district Garland ISD
Superintendent Bob Morrison, Ed.D.[2]
Principal Jenny Roberson[3]
Vice principal Amber Teamann[3]
Staff 39[4]
Grades K–5
Enrollment 550[4] (2007)
 • Kindergarten 61
 • Grade 1 62
 • Grade 2 109
 • Grade 3 92
 • Grade 4 106
 • Grade 5 120
Student to teacher ratio 17.5 (2007)[4]
Language English
Hours in school day 7 [1]
Mascot Wildcat[5]
Website Garland ISD: Watson Technology Center

Watson Technology Center is an elementary magnet school located in Garland, Texas (USA). Watson Technology Center enrolls students in grades K-5 and is a part of the Garland Independent School District.

In 2009, the school was rated "exemplary" by the Texas Education Agency.[6]

History

Watson Elementary School opened in 1956 under the direction of principal Clayborne Glaze and superintendent Dr. Glen Couch. The land was donated to the school from Walter and Hayward Watson. In 1997, the school was renovated and reopened as Watson Technology Center for Math & Science.[7]

Curriculum

Watson Technology Center is known as a magnet school that hosts the MST (Math, Science, and Technology) program. The program is designed to attract students highly interested in math, science, and technology. Heavy emphasis is placed on the use of technology and hands-on problem solving during classroom instruction. Learning opportunities introduced in class includes: greenhouse, weather forecasting using a weather station, and astronomy in the portable planetarium.[8]

Statistics (per 2006)

The attendance rate for students at the school is 98%, compared with a state average of 96%. 54% of the students at Watson are economically disadvantaged, 5% enroll in special education, 23% enroll in gifted and talent programs, and 31% are considered "limited English proficient."[4]

The ethnic makeup of the school is 49% Hispanic, 26% White, non-Hispanic, 19% African American, 5% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 1% Native American.[4]

The average class sizes at Watson are 20 students for kindergarten, 25 students for first grade, 22 students for second grade, 17 students for third grade, 21 students for fourth grade, and 24 students for fifth grade.[4]

Teachers at the school carry, on average, 9 years of teaching experience and 19% of the teachers on staff are first-year teachers.[4]

Feeder Patterns

Garland ISD is a Free Choice school district, which allows the parent to choose which school his or her children want to attend within the district.[9]

Watson Technology Center and Beaver Technology Center feeds into Jackson Technology Center for students continuing on the MST Program, and ultimately into North Garland High School.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Garland ISD: Quick Facts About Us. Retrieved on 26 October 2008
  2. ↑ GISD - Leadership. Retrieved on 26 October 2008
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Garland ISD: Administration. Retrieved on 26 October 2008
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 2007 TEA AEIS Report. Retrieved on 26 October 2008
  5. ↑ Garland ISD: Watson Technology Center. Retrieved on 26 October 2008
  6. ↑ "2009 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency.
  7. ↑ Garland ISD: School Spirit & History. Retrieved on 26 October 2008
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Garland ISD: MST Magnet Programs. Retrieved on 26 October 2008.
  9. ↑ GISD - Choice of School. Retrieved on 26 October 2008

External links