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Tama IowaPhoto: Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
D
Schools in Tama · South Tama County Community School District

Tama’s public schools score below 90% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 44% of Tama’s students scored proficient, below the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Tama, 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.

#118of 140 Iowa townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
55%
▼ 15 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
44%
▼ 20 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.3K
▲ 4% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.8
IA 14.1 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
1,368 students on the public path
In brief

Tama’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 55% of tested students were proficient in reading and 44% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa (the state reports Tama’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,323 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is South Tama County Middle School, then South Tama County High School. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Tama’s grade

D− Test scoresB− Graduation

D: better than 10% of Iowa school districts, #118 of 140 Iowa towns. Graduation is above the Iowa average; test scores are below it.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 10%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (644)Better than 9%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 996 test results and a graduating class of 120 could put Tama anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Tama’s students in the tested grades sat them (996 in math, 997 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Tama, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4South Tama County Elementary SchoolSouth Tama County Community School DistrictD−
5–8South Tama County Middle Schoolin ToledoD
9–12South Tama County High SchoolSouth Tama County Community School DistrictC−

Tama’s public schools are run by South Tama County Community School District, which also serves Chelsea, Montour, Toledo and Vining. 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.

South Tama County Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,368 students, down 11% since 2020–21 · 14.8 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$14,323IA $13,713 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading55%
State average 69.7% · 997 students tested
Math44%
State average 63.8% · 996 students tested

Tama vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Tama’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
TamaDSouth Tama County

Every school in Tama

3 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).

District schools in Tamaby address
South Tama County Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
D−
534 students14:1Rate it →
South Tama County High School
High · Grades 9–12
C−
421 students17:1Rate it →
Also serving Tamain other towns
South Tama County Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Toledo
D
413 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Tama’s schools

Are Tama’s schools good?

On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Tama children attend score below 90% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #118 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 9%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Tama in?

South Tama County Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,368 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Tama kids go to high school?

South Tama County High School, with 421 students; its own test results earn a C−.

What is Tama’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in South Tama County Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Tama spend per student?

$14,323 in South Tama County Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Tama families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Tama → 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.