Average
#993 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
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
228
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#993 of 1,280
In Ottumwa
#4 of 10
public schools
In district
#4 of 10
Ottumwa Comm School District
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James Elementary School
Elementary School in Ottumwa · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gateway High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Horace Mann Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Elementary School
James Elementary School is a public elementary school in Ottumwa, IA, part of Ottumwa Comm School District. James Elementary School serves approximately 228 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. James Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #993 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for James Elementary School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 4.7
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at James Elementary School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
35% of students at James Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James Elementary School — Students at James Elementary School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
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 35 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: 6.3/10.
How James Elementary School Compares
See how James Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.2/10, 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 | 5.3 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 1.5 mi | 1.6 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
| OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 2.6 mi | 2.6 |
| Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Fremont Elementary Fremont | 12.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 10.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Cardinal High School Eldon | 10.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 10.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg | 12.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Jr/Sr High Eddyville | 13.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Eddyville Elementary Eddyville | 14.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 19.2 mi | 5.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Erskine Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 5.0 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA | 5.0 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Manchester, IA | 5.0 |
| Woodward-Granger Early Learning Center Granger, IA | 5.0 |
| Clark Elementary School New London, IA | 5.1 |
| Grant Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 4.9 |
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 ranks #993 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is James Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Elementary School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.6%
- Phone
- (641) 684-5411
Resources & Links
District
Ottumwa Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 5,011
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,391
- District Rank
- #4 of 10
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