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Average

#790 of 1,280 schools in IA

South Tama County Elementary School

Elementary School · South Tama County

1611 Country Club Dr, Tama, IA 52339

Enrollment

543

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#790 of 1,280

In Tama

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

South Tama County

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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South Tama County Elementary School

5.9/10

Elementary School in Tama · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Tama County High School

5.1/10

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

South Tama County Middle School

6.8/10

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

About South Tama County Elementary School

South Tama County Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tama, IA, part of South Tama County. South Tama County Elementary School serves approximately 543 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. South Tama County Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #790 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for South Tama County Elementary School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below IA schools
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.7% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.4 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,294
Chronic Absenteeism17.5%

South Tama County Elementary School — Students at South Tama County Elementary School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 61.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 32 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
78%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
74%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
70%
2015
Math
78%
ELA
71%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
60%
2017
Math
69%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
70%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
70%
ELA
61%
2020*
Math
41%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
55%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
71.7%
ELA
66.7%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How South Tama County Elementary School Compares

See how South Tama County Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
38th percentile in IA
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.5%

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

1611 Country Club Dr, Tama, IA 52339

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Tama County Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Brooklyn), which scores notably higher. Another option is J C Hoglan Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Marshalltown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fairview Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Grinnell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tama, see our Tama schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.0 mi
School Distance Rating
South Tama County High School Tama 0.2 mi 5.1
South Tama County Middle School Toledo 1.4 mi 6.8
Meskwaki Settlement School Tama 3.3 mi
GMG Secondary School Garwin 9.4 mi 6.2
East Marshall Senior High School Le Grand 10.1 mi 6.4
East Marshall Middle School Gilman 12.1 mi 5.7
North Tama High School Traer 16.0 mi 5.1
North Tama Elementary Traer 16.0 mi 5.7
Fairview Elementary School Grinnell 16.8 mi 8.0
CENTRAL IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grinnell 16.9 mi 5.2
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell 17.4 mi 8.0
Grinnell Community Senior High School Grinnell 17.4 mi 7.2
GMG Elementary School Green Mountain 15.2 mi 4.4
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School Brooklyn 17.9 mi 8.6
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School Brooklyn 17.9 mi 8.5
Davis Elementary School Grinnell 17.9 mi 7.8
Grinnell Community Middle School Grinnell 18.2 mi 7.3
J C Hoglan Elementary School Marshalltown 16.6 mi 8.3
Longfellow Elementary School Belle Plaine 17.0 mi 7.1
Woodbury Elementary School Marshalltown 17.0 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52339 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,522

Median Home Value

$117,500

Median Rent

$729/mo

Population

4,311

College Educated

13.7%

Homeownership

67.6%

Avg Commute

19.8 min

Poverty Rate

21.8%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Davis County Elementary Bloomfield, IA 5.9
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City, IA 5.9
Mark Twain Elementary School Bettendorf, IA 5.9
Van Allen Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA 5.9
West Marshall Elementary School State Center, IA 5.9
Anderson Elementary School Bondurant, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Tama County Elementary School

What grades does South Tama County Elementary School serve?

South Tama County Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend South Tama County Elementary School?

South Tama County Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 543 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Tama County Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Tama County Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Tama County Elementary School rank in IA?

South Tama County Elementary School ranks #790 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Tama County Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Tama County Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 South Tama County Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Tama County Elementary School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Tama County Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is South Tama County Elementary School a Title I school?

No, South Tama County Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Tama County Elementary School?

61.9% of students at South Tama County Elementary 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Tama County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.5%

District

South Tama County
District Enrollment
1,422
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,294
District Rank
#2 of 3

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