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Ottumwa High School

Summary:

Ottumwa High School is a public high school in Ottumwa, Iowa, serving 1,317 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Ottumwa Community School District, which is ranked 288 out of 309 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Ottumwa High School underperforms compared to the state average and nearby schools. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 69.3% of 10th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 73.8%. Similarly, only 55.6% of 10th-grade students were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to the state average of 66%. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 15% of Iowa high schools, placing 284 out of 338 schools in the 2023-2024 school year.

Additionally, Ottumwa High School has a relatively high percentage of students (37.13%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-income families. The school's spending per student ($14,352 in 2018-2019) is also lower than nearby schools like Davis County Community High School ($15,057) and Pekin Community Junior/Senior High School ($14,808), which may contribute to its lower academic performance.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 501 E 2nd
       Ottumwa, IA  52501

(641) 683-4444

District: Ottumwa Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
284th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,352 Help


Feeder schools for Ottumwa High School:

Elementary:    Douma Elementary School
    Eisenhower Elementary School
    Horace Mann Elementary School
    James Elementary School
    More...
Middle:    Evans Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.1 Help
Number of students:  1,239

Racial breakdown:

White:
51.3%
Hispanic:
29.4%
African American:
7.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  45% Help


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 Compare Ottumwa High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Ottumwa High School ranks worse than 84% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.51. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Ottumwa High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (51.3%), Hispanic (29.4%), African American (7.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 45% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ottumwa High School is 15.1. (See more...)
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Compare Ottumwa High School employs 81.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ottumwa High School is $14,352.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Ottumwa High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Ottumwa High School 284th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See Ottumwa High School in the ranking list.)

Ottumwa Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Ottumwa Community School District 288th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Ottumwa High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 22.12 311th 351 11.4%
2013 22.22 313th 351 10.8%
2014 17.85 288th 322 10.6%
2015 8.25 304th 324 6.2%
2016 14.81 287th 320 10.3%
2017 36.27 244th 325 24.9%
2018 19.92 286th 320 10.6%
2019 26.15 270th 327 17.4%
2021 21.02 284th 327 13.1%
2022 17.79 291st 332 12.3%
2023 21.20 291st 336 13.4%
2024 23.51 284th 338 16.0%
See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Ottumwa High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Ottumwa High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1497 23 12 4 0 n/a n/a 0 1536
1989 1394 23 14 2 0 n/a n/a 0 1433
1990 1357 22 14 4 0 n/a n/a 0 1397
1991 1316 22 15 1 0 n/a n/a 0 1354
1992 1364 25 16 4 1 n/a n/a 0 1410
1993 1382 25 13 4 2 n/a n/a 0 1426
1994 1376 22 9 7 3 n/a n/a 0 1417
1995 1374 19 9 4 4 n/a n/a 0 1410
1996 1374 19 9 4 4 n/a n/a 0 1410
1997 1382 23 22 7 1 n/a n/a 0 1435
1998 1336 30 22 16 1 n/a n/a 0 1405
1999 1302 26 32 14 5 n/a n/a 0 1379
2000 1273 21 35 19 3 n/a n/a 0 1351
2001 1285 19 45 42 1 n/a n/a 0 1392
2002 1223 17 58 77 4 n/a n/a 0 1379
2003 1223 17 58 77 4 n/a n/a 0 1379
2004 1308 21 22 106 4 n/a n/a 0 1461
2005 1395 21 15 145 7 n/a n/a 0 1583
2006 1347 30 15 178 8 n/a n/a 0 1578
2007 1300 33 17 198 7 n/a n/a 0 1555
2008 1210 30 22 206 6 n/a n/a 0 1474
2009 1157 37 18 212 4 n/a n/a 0 1428
2010 1170 25 12 104 51 2 27 0 1391
2011 1057 33 9 224 11 2 28 0 1364
2012 1034 29 6 238 8 2 27 0 1344
2013 999 41 13 236 7 4 32 0 1332
2014 957 41 18 261 8 2 24 0 1311
2015 888 50 17 261 14 6 27 0 1263
2016 860 62 20 281 12 10 23 0 1268
2017 830 61 19 284 12 13 20 0 1239
2018 828 82 17 305 12 10 21 0 1275
2019 776 75 19 323 10 24 23 0 1250
2020 766 75 21 350 5 32 33 0 1282
2021 744 80 21 350 4 60 32 0 1291
2022 773 79 37 368 3 88 30 0 1378
2023 726 82 38 357 1 83 29 1 1317
2024 636 92 35 364 1 92 18 1 1239

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ottumwa High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1536 100.8 15.2 17.5
1989 1433 102.8 13.9 1.5
1990 1397 102.8 13.5 15.2
1991 1354 72.0 18.8 13.9
1992 1410 81.0 17.4 12.6
1993 1426 77.5 18.4 11.2
1994 1417 77.5 18.3 10.4
1995 1410 82.5 17.1 13.1
1996 1410 82.5 17.1 13.1
1997 1435 83.5 17.2 13.4
1998 1405 84.0 16.7 17
1999 1379 84.0 16.4 18.5
2000 1351 88.0 15.4 20.9
2001 1392 84.1 16.6 10.8
2002 1379 86.1 16.0 43
2003 1379 86.1 16.0 43
2004 1461 84.2 17.4 23.4
2005 1583 96.0 16.5 42.3
2006 1578 99.0 15.9 42.9
2007 1555 97.5 15.9 47.7
2008 1474 92.5 15.9 31.3
2009 1428 93.4 15.3 29.4
2010 1391 94.6 14.7 32.8
2011 1364 88.0 15.5 42.6
2012 1344 85.3 15.7 46.4
2013 1332 82.4 16.1 51.5
2014 1311 80.3 16.3 50.9
2015 1263 80.0 15.7 49.5
2016 1268 80.0 15.8 45.9
2017 1239 77.6 15.9 42.9
2018 1275 71.5 17.8 38.5
2019 1250 74.1 16.8 43.4
2020 1282 73.4 17.4 43.6
2021 1291 76.4 16.8 17.4
2022 1378 80.8 17.0 43.9
2023 1317 80.1 16.4 37.1
2024 1239 81.9 15.1 45

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ottumwa High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1536 100.8 15.2 17.5
1989 1433 102.8 13.9 1.5
1990 1397 102.8 13.5 15.2
1991 1354 72.0 18.8 13.9
1992 1410 81.0 17.4 12.6
1993 1426 77.5 18.4 11.2
1994 1417 77.5 18.3 10.4
1995 1410 82.5 17.1 13.1
1996 1410 82.5 17.1 13.1
1997 1435 83.5 17.2 13.4
1998 1405 84.0 16.7 17
1999 1379 84.0 16.4 18.5
2000 1351 88.0 15.4 20.9
2001 1392 84.1 16.6 10.8
2002 1379 86.1 16.0 43
2003 1379 86.1 16.0 43
2004 1461 84.2 17.4 23.4
2005 1583 96.0 16.5 42.3
2006 1578 99.0 15.9 42.9
2007 1555 97.5 15.9 47.7
2008 1474 92.5 15.9 31.3
2009 1428 93.4 15.3 29.4
2010 1391 94.6 14.7 32.8
2011 1364 88.0 15.5 42.6
2012 1344 85.3 15.7 46.4
2013 1332 82.4 16.1 51.5
2014 1311 80.3 16.3 50.9
2015 1263 80.0 15.7 49.5
2016 1268 80.0 15.8 45.9
2017 1239 77.6 15.9 42.9
2018 1275 71.5 17.8 38.5
2019 1250 74.1 16.8 43.4
2020 1282 73.4 17.4 43.6
2021 1291 76.4 16.8 17.4
2022 1378 80.8 17.0 43.9
2023 1317 80.1 16.4 37.1
2024 1239 81.9 15.1 45

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ottumwa High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $688 (4.8%) $13,665 (95.2%) $14,352

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ottumwa High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 270th of 327 High schoolsRanks 291st of 336 High schools
 4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Ottumwa High School)63.260.8
 2.4%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Ottumwa Community School District)63.258.4
 4.8%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)74.372.9
 1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (Ottumwa High School)61.555.9
 5.6%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Ottumwa Community School District)61.553.2
 8.3%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)67.167
 0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Ottumwa High School)57.562.3
 4.8%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Ottumwa Community School District)57.556.4
 1.1%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)71.468.7
 2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Ottumwa High School)61.667.4
 5.8%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Ottumwa Community School District)61.659.5
 2.1%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)66.967.3
 0.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students12501317
 5.4%
African American7582
 9.3%
American Indian101
 90%
Asian1938
 100%
Hispanic323357
 10.5%
Pacific Islander2483
 245.8%
White776726
 6.4%
Two or More Races2329
 26.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients43.4%37.1%
 6.2%

Schools Near Ottumwa High School








Frequently Asked Questions about Ottumwa High School

Ottumwa High School ranks in the bottom 16.0% of Iowa high schools.

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,239 students attended Ottumwa High School.

Ottumwa High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Douma Elementary School
Elementary : Eisenhower Elementary School
Elementary : Horace Mann Elementary School
Elementary : James Elementary School
Elementary : Liberty Elementary School
Elementary : Pickwick Early Childhood Center
Elementary : Wilson Elementary School
Middle : Evans Middle School

Students at Ottumwa High School are 51% White, 29% Hispanic, 7% African American, 7% Pacific Islander, 3% Asian, 1% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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