Needs Improvement
#1168 of 1,280 schools in IA
Ottumwa High School
High School · Ottumwa Comm School District · Ottumwa, IA
An Ottumwa Comm School District high school where students score 8 points below what's typical for similar communities.
501 E 2nd, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Math 56% vs IA 68% (2025)
- Reading 68% vs IA 73% (2025)
- 87.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Ottumwa High School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
2025 ISASP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 7 points since 2020, reaching 62% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 65% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 66% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 33 test records from IA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
45%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Ottumwa High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 73Very Walkable
- Bike 31Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,030/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Ottumwa), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$59,091
Median home value
$109,600
Median rent
$955/mo
College educated
20.1%
Homeownership
65.5%
Poverty rate
17.6%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 52501; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
3 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottumwa Virtual LearningEnrollment path unverified | 1.6 | PK–12 | 0.9 mi | 57 | Compare → |
| Gateway High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | 9–12 | 1.1 mi | 230 | Compare → |
| Ottumwa Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.1private | PK–12 | 2.0 mi | 74 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Ottumwa Comm School District
- Schools in district
- 11
- Rank in district
- #7 of 10
- District spending per student
- $12,391NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 19.9%Census SAIPE · 2024
Ottumwa High School is listed in Ottumwa Comm School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Ottumwa High School
Ottumwa High School is a public high school in Ottumwa, IA, part of Ottumwa Comm School District, serving approximately 1,239 students in grades 9th-12th with a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,168 of 1,280 schools in IA. State assessment records show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,239
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 81
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Wapello County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.9%
- Phone
- (641) 683-4444
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
- Area population (ZIP 52501)
- 30,341
- Area average commute
- 18.6 min
- Area median age
- 39.4
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 52501; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.