Needs Improvement
#1168 of 1,280 schools in IA
Ottumwa High School
High School · Ottumwa Comm School District
501 E 2nd, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Enrollment
1,239
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,239
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,168 of 1,280
In Ottumwa
#7 of 10
public schools
In district
#7 of 10
Ottumwa Comm School District
Shortlisting around Ottumwa High School?
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Ottumwa High School
High School in Ottumwa · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Seton Catholic Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wilson Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ottumwa High School
Ottumwa High School is a public high school in Ottumwa, IA, part of Ottumwa Comm School District. Ottumwa High School serves approximately 1,239 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Ottumwa High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,168 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Ottumwa High School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
39% of students at Ottumwa High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Ottumwa High School — Students at Ottumwa High School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 33 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.4/10.
How Ottumwa High School Compares
See how Ottumwa High 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
501 E 2nd, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ottumwa High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cardinal High School (rated 7.0/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Eldon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Jr/Sr High (rated 4.7/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Eddyville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ottumwa, see our Ottumwa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 0.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 0.9 mi | 1.6 |
| Gateway High School Ottumwa | 1.1 mi | — |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 2.2 mi | 2.6 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 9.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Cardinal High School Eldon | 9.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 9.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Fremont Elementary Fremont | 13.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg | 12.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Jr/Sr High Eddyville | 14.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 18.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Davis County Middle School Bloomfield | 18.0 mi | 4.7 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Hempstead High School Dubuque, IA | 3.7 |
| Marshalltown High School Marshalltown, IA | 3.7 |
| Mason City High School Mason City, IA | 3.7 |
| Abraham Lincoln High School Council Bluffs, IA | 3.8 |
| North High School Des Moines, IA | 3.8 |
| Clinton High School Clinton, IA | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ottumwa High School
What grades does Ottumwa High School serve?
Ottumwa High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Ottumwa High School?
Ottumwa High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,239 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ottumwa High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ottumwa High School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ottumwa High School rank in IA?
Ottumwa High School ranks #1,168 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ottumwa High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ottumwa High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Ottumwa High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ottumwa High School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Ottumwa High School a charter school?
No, Ottumwa High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ottumwa High School a Title I school?
No, Ottumwa High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ottumwa High School?
45.0% of students at Ottumwa 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,239
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 81
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Wapello County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.9%
- Phone
- (641) 683-4444
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
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
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