James Elementary School

1001 N Benton
Ottumwa, IA 52501
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 229 students in grades Kindergarten-5, James Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Iowa for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 50-54% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 64%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 45-49% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 70%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 28% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 229 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 62%
  • : Bottom 50% in IA
  • : 50-54% (Btm 50%)
  • : 45-49% (Btm 50%)
  • : 30-39% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

James Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:

School Overview

James Elementary School's student population of 229 students has grown by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 17 teachers has grown by 21% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
Total Students
229 students
This chart displays total students of James Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of James Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
17 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of James Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of James Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

James Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,233 schools in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of James Elementary School is 0.75, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.46. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (IA)
#1077 out of 1233 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of James Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
50-54%
64%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of James Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
45-49%
70%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of James Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
30-39%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of James Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of James Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in James Elementary School and percentage of American Indian public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2019-20 school year data.
Asian
2%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in James Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
26%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in James Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
16%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in James Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
38%
72%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in James Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
14%
1%
Two or more races
4%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in James Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Iowa 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 James Elementary School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Iowa.
0.75
This chart displays the diversity score of James Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
61%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in James Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in James Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is James Elementary School's ranking?
James Elementary School is ranked #1077 out of 1,233 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
What schools are James Elementary School often compared to?
James Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Horace Mann Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
50-54% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 64% IA state average), while 45-49% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 70% IA state average).
How many students attend James Elementary School?
229 students attend James Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
38% of James Elementary School students are White, 26% of students are Hispanic, 16% of students are Black, 14% of students are Hawaiian, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of James Elementary School?
James Elementary School has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does James Elementary School offer ?
James Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5
What school district is James Elementary School part of?
James Elementary School is part of Ottumwa Comm School District.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 229 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 62%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 50-54% (Btm 50%)
  • : 45-49% (Btm 50%)
  • : 30-39% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

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