Average
#496 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 39% in state
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
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tama
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#304 of 662
In district
#1 of 3
South Tama County
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About South Tama County Elementary School
South Tama County Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Tama, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 543 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at South Tama County Elementary is solid but shows room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and state ranking of 808 out of 1288 schools in Iowa.
Specifically, the school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 58%, while the math proficiency is slightly higher at 62%. Despite these metrics, the school community remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment that supports student development and academic progress. South Tama County Elementary School sits in a tight-knit town setting where students benefit from strong community support.
The school’s location on Country Club Drive provides easy access for families in the area, making it a central part of Tama's educational landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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South Tama County Elementary School — Students at South Tama County Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 7.7/10.
How South Tama County Elementary School Compares
See how South Tama County Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 55% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 61% (2019) to 59% (2022).
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 8.2/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Brooklyn), which scores notably higher. Another option is J C Hoglan Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Marshalltown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bailey Park Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Grinnell), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tama, see our Tama schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.0 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Tama County Elementary School has a median household income of $59,522. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,500, with a median rent of $729/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Altoona Elementary Altoona, IA | 6.8 |
| Franklin Elementary Sch Marshalltown, IA | 6.8 |
| Franklin Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 6.8 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.8 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Tiffin, IA | 6.8 |
| Southdale Elementary School Cedar Falls, IA | 6.8 |
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 is ranked #496 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Tama County Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Tama County Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 South Tama County Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Tama County Elementary School has 61.9% math proficiency and 58.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 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
- Phone
- (641) 484-3999
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Tama County- District Enrollment
- 1,422
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,294
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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