Best Schools in Ottumwa, Iowa
13 schools · 8 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Ottumwa?
Use this page to compare every school in Ottumwa by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Seton Catholic Elementary School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ottumwa Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Eisenhower Elementary School
Elementary · Ottumwa Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Ottumwa for 2026 are Seton Catholic Elementary School (7.9/10), Ottumwa Christian School (7.1/10), and Eisenhower Elementary School (6.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
13
11 public · 2 private
Avg Score
4.8
out of 10
Median Home
$109,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
13
11 public · 2 private
Avg Score
4.8
out of 10
Median Home
$109,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 5.0/10 despite 78% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.7 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Ottumwa schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Ottumwa
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 13). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seton Catholic Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Ottumwa Christian School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Eisenhower Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Horace Mann Elementary School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 5 | James Elementary School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Wilson Elementary School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Evans Middle School | 4.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Ottumwa High School | 3.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Liberty Elementary School | 3.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Ottumwa Virtual Learning | 1.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 4.8/10
- Median household income
- $59,091
- Median home value
- $109,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ottumwa compares
Iowa rank
#161 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.5
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$59k
78% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
12
About Schools in Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa, Iowa is home to 13 schools, including 11 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 4.8 out of 10, schools in Ottumwa show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Ottumwa is Seton Catholic Elementary School with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Ottumwa is served by 1 school district: Ottumwa Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 5,011 students.
Ottumwa's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $59,091. The poverty rate in the area is 17.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 243 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 251 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.3 | ||
| 3 | 345 students · 1st–2nd | 5.3 | ||
| 4 | 228 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.0 | ||
| 5 | 343 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.8 | ||
| 6 | 764 students · 3rd–6th | 3.2 | ||
| 7 | 593 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 2.6 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Seton Catholic Elementary School
Private
59 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 689 students · 7th–8th | 4.0 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,239 students · 9th–12th | 3.7 |
| 2 | 230 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 57 students · Pre-K–12th | 1.6 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Ottumwa Christian School
Private
74 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.1 | ||
Schools in Ottumwa
Ottumwa, Iowa · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$59,091
Median Home Value
$109,600
Median Rent
$955/mo
Population
30,341
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Community Profile
Ottumwa has a median household income of $59,091. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,600, with a median rent of $955/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 8
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Ottumwa, Iowa
How many schools are in Ottumwa, Iowa?
Ottumwa has 13 schools, including 11 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ottumwa, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ottumwa is 4.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Ottumwa, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Ottumwa on MySchoolScout is Seton Catholic Elementary School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ottumwa, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ottumwa on MySchoolScout is Seton Catholic Elementary School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Ottumwa, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Ottumwa on MySchoolScout is Evans Middle School with a composite score of 4.0/10.
What is the best high school in Ottumwa, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Ottumwa on MySchoolScout is Ottumwa High School with a composite score of 3.7/10.
How many school districts serve Ottumwa, Iowa?
Ottumwa is served by 1 school district: Ottumwa Comm School District.
What is the education level in Ottumwa, Iowa?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Ottumwa have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ottumwa, Iowa?
The median household income in Ottumwa is approximately $59,091 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ottumwa, Iowa?
Yes, Ottumwa has 2 private schools alongside 11 public schools. The top-rated private school is Seton Catholic Elementary School with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ottumwa, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ottumwa is 15.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ottumwa, Iowa?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.