Watkins Early Childhood Center

21 Burns Drive
Newport News, VA 23601
(School attendance zone shown in map)
Watkins Early Childhood Center serves 322 students in grades Prekindergarten. 
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is equal to the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten
  • Enrollment: 322 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 85%
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Watkins Early Childhood Center ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:

School Overview

Watkins Early Childhood Center's student population of 322 students has declined by 33% over five school years.
The teacher population of 23 teachers has declined by 20% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
322 students
This chart displays total students of Watkins Early Childhood Center by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Watkins Early Childhood Center
Total Classroom Teachers
23 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Watkins Early Childhood Center by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

School Rankings

The diversity score of Watkins Early Childhood Center is 0.66, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (VA)
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Watkins Early Childhood Center and the public school average student teacher ratio of Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
2%
n/a
Asian
1%
8%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Watkins Early Childhood Center and the percentage of Asian public school students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
21%
19%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Watkins Early Childhood Center and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
52%
22%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Watkins Early Childhood Center and the percentage of Black public school students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
15%
44%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Watkins Early Childhood Center and the percentage of White public school students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
9%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Watkins Early Childhood Center and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Watkins Early Childhood Center.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Virginia.
0.66
This chart displays the diversity score of Watkins Early Childhood Center and the public school average diversity score of Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Watkins Early Childhood Center and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (15-16)
6%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Watkins Early Childhood Center and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Virginia by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

How many students attend Watkins Early Childhood Center?
322 students attend Watkins Early Childhood Center.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
52% of Watkins Early Childhood Center students are Black, 21% of students are Hispanic, 15% of students are White, 9% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Watkins Early Childhood Center?
Watkins Early Childhood Center has a student ration of 14:1, which is equal to the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Watkins Early Childhood Center offer ?
Watkins Early Childhood Center offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Watkins Early Childhood Center part of?
Watkins Early Childhood Center is part of Newport News City School District.
In what neighborhood is Watkins Early Childhood Center located?
Watkins Early Childhood Center is located in the South Newport News neighborhood of Newport News, VA. There are 14 other public schools located in South Newport News.

School Reviews

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten
  • Enrollment: 322 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 85%
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

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