Dahlonega School #1 · Photo: Jim Roberts · CC BY-SA 4.0Ottumwa’s public schools score below 94% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation
In Ottumwa, 49% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ottumwa, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.
From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Ottumwa’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 55% of tested students were proficient in reading and 49% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,112 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ottumwa Christian School (private) and Seton Catholic Elementary School (private) are in town. Ottumwa Virtual Learning, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Ottumwa’s grade
D: better than 6% of Iowa school districts, #126 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ottumwa, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Ottumwa
Pickwick Early Childhood Center
Grades PK–K · 560 students · 23:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Ottumwa
Liberty Intermediate School
Grades 6–7 · 633 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Ottumwa
Liberty Intermediate School
Grades 6–7 · 633 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Ottumwa
Evans Junior High School
Grades 8–9 · 684 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Ottumwa · depends on your address
Evans Junior High School
Grades 8–9 · 684 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Gateway High School
Grades 9–12 · 213 students · 30:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Ottumwa · depends on your address
Ottumwa High School
Grades 10–12 · 910 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Gateway High School
Grades 9–12 · 213 students · 30:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Ottumwa · depends on your address
Ottumwa High School
Grades 10–12 · 910 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Gateway High School
Grades 9–12 · 213 students · 30:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Ottumwa · depends on your address
Ottumwa High School
Grades 10–12 · 910 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Gateway High School
Grades 9–12 · 213 students · 30:1 students per teacher
Ottumwa’s public schools are run by Ottumwa Community School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Ottumwa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Ottumwa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ottumwa | D | Ottumwa |
Every school in Ottumwa
14 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Ottumwa’s schools
Are Ottumwa’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ottumwa children attend score below 94% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #126 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ottumwa in?
Ottumwa Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,005 students in 12 schools (2024–25).
Where do Ottumwa kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Ottumwa High School and Gateway High School.
What is Ottumwa’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Ottumwa Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Ottumwa spend per student?
$13,112 in Ottumwa Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ottumwa?
Yes: Ottumwa Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 104 students) and Seton Catholic Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 85 students).
Parents talk
What Ottumwa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ottumwa → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.