Average
#1006 of 1,280 schools in IA
North Tama High School
High School · North Tama County Comm School District
605 Walnut, Traer, IA 50675
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Traer
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#248 of 334
In district
#2 of 2
North Tama County Comm School District
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About North Tama High School
North Tama High School is a regular public school located in Traer, Iowa, within Tama County. Situated at 605 Walnut Street, the school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade, making it both a middle and high school in one building. With an enrollment of 198 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.4:1, North Tama High School benefits from small class sizes and individualized attention for each student.
The dedicated faculty, consisting of 19 full-time equivalent teachers, works hard to support their diverse group of learners. Academically, the school has room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of 911 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (29th percentile). In terms of standardized test performance, North Tama High School shows proficiency rates of 70% in ELA/reading and 59% in math across all grade levels.
Science proficiency stands at 52%. Despite these numbers indicating areas for growth, the school remains committed to student development and continuous improvement. North Tama High School is set in a rural area, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and staff know each student well and can provide personalized guidance and support.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 198 students, North Tama High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at North Tama High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, North Tama High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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North Tama High School — Students at North Tama High School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How North Tama High School Compares
See how North Tama High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
605 Walnut, Traer, IA 50675
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Tama High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gladbrook-Reinbeck Jr. High & High School (rated 8.1/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Reinbeck), which scores notably higher. Another option is COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union High School (rated 6.1/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby La Porte City), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Traer, see our Traer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Tama Elementary Traer | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Union Middle School Dysart | 7.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart | 8.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck | 11.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Gladbrook-Reinbeck Jr. High & High School Reinbeck | 11.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Hudson High School Hudson | 14.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Hudson Elementary School Hudson | 14.7 mi | 7.2 |
| South Tama County Middle School Toledo | 14.5 mi | 6.8 |
| GMG Secondary School Garwin | 12.5 mi | 5.8 |
| South Tama County High School Tama | 15.8 mi | 5.3 |
| South Tama County Elementary School Tama | 16.0 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 | 7.8 |
| Hoover Middle School Waterloo | 19.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Union High School La Porte City | 16.2 mi | 6.1 |
| La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City | 16.4 mi | 6.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Tama High School has a median household income of $79,514. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,000, with a median rent of $1,015/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Middle School/High School Elkader, IA | 5.3 |
| Easton Valley Junior High / High School Preston, IA | 5.3 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines, IA | 5.3 |
| Iowa Valley Jr-Sr High School Marengo, IA | 5.2 |
| Woodward-Granger High School Woodward, IA | 5.2 |
| Grundy Center High School Grundy Center, IA | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Tama High School
What grades does North Tama High School serve?
North Tama High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend North Tama High School?
North Tama High School has an enrollment of approximately 198 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Tama High School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Tama High School is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Tama High School rank in IA?
North Tama High School is ranked #1006 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is North Tama High School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Tama High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 North Tama High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Tama High School has 58.7% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Tama High School a charter school?
No, North Tama High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Tama High School a Title I school?
No, North Tama High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Tama High School?
40.4% of students at North Tama High 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (218/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 198
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Tama County
- Phone
- (319) 478-2265
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Tama County Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 482
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,443
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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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