Average
#1009 of 1,280 schools in IA
South Tama County High School
High School · South Tama County
1715 Harding St, Tama, IA 52339
Enrollment
448
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
448
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tama
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#249 of 334
In district
#3 of 3
South Tama County
About South Tama County High School
South Tama County High School is a regular public high school located in the town of Tama, Iowa. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 448 students and employs 27 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1. The academic performance at South Tama County High School is currently rated at 2.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it at the 6th percentile among Iowa schools, with room for improvement in both ELA/Reading and Math proficiency rates.
Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and support systems that cater to a diverse range of learners. With over half of students proficient or above in Science, there are areas where progress is evident. South Tama County High School is situated in a close-knit community environment that fosters strong connections between families, teachers, and local businesses.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at South Tama County High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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South Tama County High School — Students at South Tama County High School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 6.3/10.
How South Tama County High School Compares
See how South Tama County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 35% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 54% (2022).
Location
1715 Harding St, Tama, IA 52339
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Tama County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Grinnell Community Senior High School (rated 7.2/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Grinnell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School (rated 6.6/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Brooklyn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School (rated 6.1/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Belle Plaine), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Tama, see our Tama schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.2 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School Clarion, IA | 5.3 |
| North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School New Sharon, IA | 5.3 |
| XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA | 5.3 |
| Fairfield High School Fairfield, IA | 5.2 |
| Monticello High School Monticello, IA | 5.2 |
| Okoboji High School Milford, IA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Tama County High School
What grades does South Tama County High School serve?
South Tama County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Tama County High School?
South Tama County High School has an enrollment of approximately 448 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Tama County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Tama County High School is 16.6:1. 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 High School rank in IA?
South Tama County High School is ranked #1009 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Tama County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Tama County High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Tama County High School has 48.8% math proficiency and 62.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Tama County High School a charter school?
No, South Tama County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Tama County High School a Title I school?
No, South Tama County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Tama County High School?
56.9% of students at South Tama County 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.
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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 448
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Tama County
- Phone
- (641) 484-4345
- 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
- #3 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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