Summary:
The Ottumwa Community School District in Iowa is home to two high schools: Ottumwa High School and Gateway High School. While Ottumwa High School is the larger of the two with 1,317 students, it has consistently ranked in the bottom third of Iowa high schools, receiving a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. In contrast, the smaller Gateway High School, with only 187 students, has the lowest statewide ranking, placing 336th out of 338 Iowa high schools and earning a 0-star rating.
Academically, Ottumwa High School's test scores in English Language Arts and Mathematics are below the state averages, with only 58.4-69.3% of students proficient or better in ELA and 47.5-56.3% proficient or better in Math. Gateway High School's test scores are significantly lower, with only 17.1-37.5% of students proficient or better in ELA and 10.5-26.3% proficient or better in Math. Both schools have high free and reduced lunch rates, with Ottumwa High School at 37.13% and Gateway High School at an extremely high 60.43%, indicating a significant population of economically disadvantaged students.
The data also reveals a stark contrast in student-teacher ratios, with Ottumwa High School's ratio of 16.4 being within the typical range, while Gateway High School's ratio of 52 is well above the norm, potentially contributing to the school's academic challenges. These findings suggest that the Ottumwa Community School District faces significant disparities in the performance and resources of its high schools, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support to address the unique challenges faced by each institution.
Thank you for your feedback!