Very Good
#40 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 25% of private schools
Ottumwa Christian School
School
438 MCKINLEY AVE, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 9 schools in Ottumwa. Learn more
Enrollment
74
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
74
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Ottumwa
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa schools
#9 of 35
About Ottumwa Christian School
Ottumwa Christian School serves 74 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Ottumwa, Iowa, offering a comprehensive educational experience with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1. With just 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides an intimate learning environment where students receive individualized attention throughout their academic journey. The school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks 96th among Iowa's 157 schools, placing it in the 40th percentile statewide.
This small educational community allows for close relationships between students, teachers, and families, fostering a supportive atmosphere for learning and personal development. Located at 438 McKinley Avenue, the school serves a community where the median household income is $55,801 and median home values are $101,100. The surrounding area has a college education rate of 19% among residents with bachelor's degrees or higher, while 18.2% of the community faces economic challenges.
Despite being categorized as a "regular public school" in the data, the name suggests a faith-based educational approach. The school's small size enables personalized learning experiences that can benefit students across all grade levels. Ottumwa Christian School operates in Iowa's remote town setting, providing education to families seeking a close-knit academic community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 74 students, Ottumwa Christian 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, Ottumwa Christian School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Ottumwa Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $6,689
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $7,774
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.16x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 71%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $260,539
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 74 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Ottumwa Christian School compares to 11 public schools serving similar grades in Ottumwa, IA
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ottumwa Christian School (this school) | 7.1 |
| Evans Middle School | 4.4 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center | 2.9 |
| Liberty Elementary School | 2.8 |
| Douma Elementary School | 5.9 |
| Gateway High School | — |
| Ottumwa High School | 4.3 |
| James Elementary School | 3.9 |
| Wilson Elementary School | 5.4 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School | 5.1 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning | 3.4 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School | 5.9 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in IA
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
438 MCKINLEY AVE, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ottumwa Christian School may also want to explore other schools in the area. SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Eddyville Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Eddyville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fremont Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Fremont), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ottumwa, see our Ottumwa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 0.6 mi | 2.9 |
| Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.0 mi | 2.8 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Gateway High School Ottumwa | 1.5 mi | — |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.1 mi | 3.9 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 2.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg | 10.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Fremont Elementary Fremont | 14.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 11.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Cardinal High School Eldon | 11.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 11.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Jr/Sr High Eddyville | 13.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Eddyville Elementary Eddyville | 14.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 17.5 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 Ottumwa Christian 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 |
|---|---|
| Prairie Edge Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.9 |
| NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City, IA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ottumwa Christian School
What grades does Ottumwa Christian School serve?
Ottumwa Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Ottumwa Christian School?
Ottumwa Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 74 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ottumwa Christian School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ottumwa Christian School is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Ottumwa Christian School rank in IA?
Ottumwa Christian School is ranked #40 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Ottumwa Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ottumwa Christian School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Ottumwa Christian School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ottumwa Christian School has 56.1% math proficiency and 85.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ottumwa Christian School a private school?
Yes, Ottumwa Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Ottumwa Christian School a religious school?
Ottumwa Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 74
- Gender Split
- 47% M / 53% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 172 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- WAPELLO
- Phone
- (641) 683-9119
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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