Needs Improvement
#1228 of 1,280 schools in IA
James Elementary School
Elementary School · Ottumwa Comm School District
1001 N Benton, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Enrollment
228
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
228
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ottumwa
#7 of 10
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#633 of 662
In district
#7 of 10
Ottumwa Comm School District
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About James Elementary School
James Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Ottumwa, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 228 pupils and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.7:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is in a remote town, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where everyone knows each other.
James Elementary School’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.5 out of 10, placing it in the 14th percentile among Iowa schools. Academically, the school has room for improvement, with an academic score of 2.0/10 and state rankings reflecting its current challenges. In recent assessments, 47% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 51% in Math, and 34% in Science.
Despite these statistics, James Elementary School continues to focus on student development and strives to provide a supportive learning environment for all its pupils. The school is situated within a community that values education and works together to support the growth of its young learners.
Score Breakdown
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James Elementary School — Students at James Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.
How James Elementary School Compares
See how James Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
1001 N Benton, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eddyville Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Eddyville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fremont Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Fremont), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ottumwa, see our Ottumwa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway High School Ottumwa | 0.5 mi | — |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 1.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 2.1 mi | 4.4 |
| OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 2.6 mi | 2.9 |
| Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.8 mi | 2.8 |
| Fremont Elementary Fremont | 12.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 10.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Cardinal High School Eldon | 10.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 10.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg | 12.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Jr/Sr High Eddyville | 13.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Eddyville Elementary Eddyville | 14.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 19.2 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,091
Median Home Value
$109,600
Median Rent
$955/mo
Population
30,341
College Educated
20.1%
Homeownership
65.5%
Avg Commute
18.6 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Elementary School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer, IA | 3.9 |
| James Wilson Grimes School Burlington, IA | 3.9 |
| Murray Elementary School Murray, IA | 3.9 |
| Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 4.0 |
| Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City, IA | 4.0 |
| Grant Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Elementary School
What grades does James Elementary School serve?
James Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend James Elementary School?
James Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 228 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Elementary School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Elementary School rank in IA?
James Elementary School is ranked #1228 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is James Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Elementary School has 50.6% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Elementary School a charter school?
No, James Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Elementary School a Title I school?
No, James Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Elementary School?
77.6% of students at James Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ottumwa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 228
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Wapello County
- Phone
- (641) 684-5411
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ottumwa Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 5,011
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,391
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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