- Enrollment
- 910
- Students per teacher
- 11.4:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Ottumwa, IA
James Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for James Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 46/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 192211001320
👥 S:T ratio 38
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 50
📋 Attendance 26
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
James Elementary School earns 46/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 73% of Iowa schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Iowa schools.
- #3 of 6
- elementary schools in Ottumwa · Resource Index
- 46
- Resource Index · Typical
- 15.6:1
- large classes for Iowa
- 61.1%
- free-lunch eligible
James Elementary School has class sizes larger than 73% of Iowa schools. Computed live against every Iowa school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, James Elementary School ranks #3 of 6 elementary schools in Ottumwa, IA.
School address
District: Ottumwa Comm School District · Iowa
NCES ID 192211001320 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-1 students YoY
James Elementary School held near 228 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-1 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 16.9 → 18.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-1 students YoY 192211001320 · Ottumwa, IA Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
249 enr · 15.6:1 · 61.1% lunch · RII 46
Nearest enrollment peer: Ottumwa High School (910 students)
James Elementary School held near 228 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-1 headcount). Teacher FTE added 16.9 → 18.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Iowa schools → · Find another →
James Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Ottumwa High S
Ottumwa High School
910 students
- Evans Middle S
Evans Middle School
684 students
- Liberty Elemen
Liberty Elementary School
633 students
- Pickwick Early
Pickwick Early Childhood Center
560 students
- Wilson Element 335
Wilson Elementary School
335 students
- This school 249
James Elementary School
249 students
What this shows James Elementary School reports 249 students on the CCD universe file.
How James Elementary School compares
James Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Iowa and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Iowa | Iowa avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.6:1 | ▲ 5% | 14.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 61.1% | ▲ 68% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 249 | top 65% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.6:1
Leaner classes than 41% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
249
Bigger than 25% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
61.1%
free-lunch eligible
- 68% above the Iowa average of 36.4%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
15.6:1
students per teacher
- 5% above state mean
Top 73% in Iowa - lower ratio than 27% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
29.7%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$12,314
per pupil, district-wide
- below Iowa avg of $13,441
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 249 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
13
in-school suspensions + 11 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 5.2 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 9.6 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 34.1%
Hispanic or Latino 22.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 22.1%
African American 16.1%
Two or More 3.2%
Asian 1.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Largest group: White at 34.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 75.5/100
Simpson diversity index - at 75.5, James Elementary School is more mixed than the Iowa school average of 33.8.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Ottumwa Comm School District reports $12,314 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How James Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottumwa High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Evans Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Liberty Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Wilson Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to James Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 684
- Students per teacher
- 9.9:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
- Enrollment
- 633
- Students per teacher
- 17.6:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 560
- Students per teacher
- 22.4:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 335
- Students per teacher
- 12.4:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
Similar elementary schools in Ottumwa
5 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Liberty Elementary School
Standard public school
633 students 17.6:1 students per teacher
Wilson Elementary School
Standard public school
335 students 12.4:1 students per teacher
Douma Elementary School
Standard public school
327 students 14.9:1 students per teacher
Horace Mann Elementary School
Standard public school
250 students 16.7:1 students per teacher
Eisenhower Elementary School
Standard public school
248 students 16.5:1 students per teacher
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~249 students)
Frequently asked questions about James Elementary School
How many students attend James Elementary School?
James Elementary School has 249 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Ottumwa, IA. CCD year-over-year: 229 (2022-23) → 228 (2023-24), nearly flat (-1).
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Elementary School is 15.6:1, which is 5% higher than the Iowa average of 14.8:1 and 1% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at James Elementary School?
61.1% of students at James Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Iowa average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of James Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at James Elementary School is White at 34.1% of enrollment, in Ottumwa, IA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 75.5/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for James Elementary School?
James Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 46/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does James Elementary School rank among elementary schools in Ottumwa?
By Resource Investment Index, James Elementary School ranks #3 of 6 elementary schools in Ottumwa, IA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Ottumwa on the city page.
What other schools are in Ottumwa Comm School District?
Besides James Elementary School, Ottumwa Comm School District also operates Ottumwa High School (910 students), Evans Middle School (684 students), and Liberty Elementary School (633 students). See the Ottumwa Comm School District district page for the complete list.