Top Rankings
Ottumwa Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 1,526 students in Ottumwa Comm School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Iowa.
Public High Schools in Ottumwa Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Public High School in Ottumwa Comm School District have a Graduation Rate of 79%, which is less than the Iowa average of 88%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Ottumwa High School, with 80% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public high school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
11 Schools
365 Schools
# Students
4,982 Students
171,507 Students
# Teachers
333 Teachers
11,091 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
District Rank
Ottumwa Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has decreased from 88% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#312 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
64%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
63%
Graduation Rate
80%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.45
# American Indian Students
20 Students
796 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
155 Students
3,901 Students
% Asian Students
3%
2%
# Hispanic Students
1,266 Students
21,518 Students
% Hispanic Students
26%
13%
# Black Students
415 Students
10,972 Students
% Black Students
8%
6%
# White Students
2,534 Students
125,591 Students
% White Students
51%
73%
# Hawaiian Students
507 Students
863 Students
% Hawaiian Students
10%
1%
# Two or more races Students
83 Students
7,560 Students
% of Two or more races Students
2%
4%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
428
56
# Students in K Grade:
339
70
# Students in 1st Grade:
351
87
# Students in 2nd Grade:
372
83
# Students in 3rd Grade:
313
82
# Students in 4th Grade:
337
105
# Students in 5th Grade:
309
218
# Students in 6th Grade:
320
1,345
# Students in 7th Grade:
364
5,175
# Students in 8th Grade:
350
7,975
# Students in 9th Grade:
354
39,092
# Students in 10th Grade:
373
39,818
# Students in 11th Grade:
392
38,859
# Students in 12th Grade:
380
38,542
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,732 in this school district is less than the state median of $16,468. The school district revenue/student has declined by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,878 is less than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has declined by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$68 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$64 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,732
$16,468
Spending / Student
$12,878
$16,042
Best Ottumwa Comm School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Ottumwa High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
501 E 2nd
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 683-4444
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 683-4444
Grades: 9-12
| 1,239 students
Rank: #22.
Ottumwa Virtual Learning
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1112 N Van Buren
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Grades: PK-12
| 57 students
Rank: n/an/a
907 Gateway Drive
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Grades: 9-12
| 230 students
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
