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Average

#852 of 1,280 schools in IA

North Tama Elementary

Elementary School · North Tama County Comm School District

605 Walnut, Traer, IA 50675

Enrollment

284

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#852 of 1,280

In Traer

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

North Tama County Comm School District

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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North Tama Elementary

5.7/10

Elementary School in Traer · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

North Tama High School

5.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Union Middle School

8.6/10

7.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About North Tama Elementary

North Tama Elementary is a public elementary school in Traer, IA, part of North Tama County Comm School District. North Tama Elementary serves approximately 284 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. North Tama Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #852 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for North Tama Elementary show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below IA schools
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

North Tama Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.8% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+1.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)73% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,443
Chronic Absenteeism10.6%

North Tama Elementary — Students at North Tama Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 72.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.6% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
78.6%
ELA
70.8%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How North Tama Elementary Compares

See how North Tama Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
34th percentile in IA
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

605 Walnut, Traer, IA 50675

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Tama Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. La Porte City Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby La Porte City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Dysart), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Reinbeck), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Traer, see our Traer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
North Tama High School Traer 0.0 mi 5.1
Union Middle School Dysart 7.9 mi 8.6
Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart 8.0 mi 9.2
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck 11.1 mi 8.1
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Jr. High & High School Reinbeck 11.3 mi 8.0
Hudson High School Hudson 14.6 mi 7.1
Hudson Elementary School Hudson 14.7 mi 7.6
South Tama County Middle School Toledo 14.5 mi 6.8
GMG Secondary School Garwin 12.5 mi 6.2
South Tama County High School Tama 15.8 mi 5.1
South Tama County Elementary School Tama 16.0 mi 5.9
Meskwaki Settlement School Tama 16.4 mi
Orange Elementary School Waterloo 17.7 mi 7.9
WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo 19.9 mi 5.8
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo 19.7 mi 5.4
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 19.8 mi 7.2
Union High School La Porte City 16.2 mi 6.9
La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City 16.4 mi 9.4
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo 20.1 mi 6.5
BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo 20.1 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50675 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,514

Median Home Value

$148,000

Median Rent

$1,015/mo

Population

2,323

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

75.8%

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

44.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Edison Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA 5.7
HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point, IA 5.7
Harlan Primary Harlan, IA 5.7
Janesville Elementary School Janesville, IA 5.7
Nashua-Plainfield Elementary School Nashua, IA 5.7
Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Tama Elementary

What grades does North Tama Elementary serve?

North Tama Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend North Tama Elementary?

North Tama Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Tama Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at North Tama Elementary is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Tama Elementary rank in IA?

North Tama Elementary ranks #852 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is North Tama Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

North Tama Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 North Tama Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Tama Elementary has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is North Tama Elementary a charter school?

No, North Tama Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is North Tama Elementary a Title I school?

No, North Tama Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Tama Elementary?

39.1% of students at North Tama Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Tama County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.6%

District

North Tama County Comm School District
District Enrollment
482
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,443
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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