Tama County Schools & Education
Tama County, Iowa
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
61/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
92.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
92.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,361
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
61/100
Higher = better
State avg 61/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#60
of 99 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Tama County
School Verdict
Tama County performs at an average level with a school score of 61/100 and a solid graduation rate of 92.8%.
Funding Context
At $7,361 per pupil, Tama County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Tama County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 0% above the Iowa average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Tama County, Iowa
A Rural Network Focused on Fundamentals
Tama County manages eight public schools across four districts, serving 2,594 students in total. The landscape includes three elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools. This decentralized system ensures that smaller communities maintain their own local educational identities.
Solid Performance Above State Benchmarks
Tama County's graduation rate of 92.8% sits comfortably above the state average of 92.3% and the national average of 87.0%. Schools operate on a per-pupil expenditure of $7,361, which is leaner than the state average of $7,591. Despite lower spending, the county maintains a respectable school score of 55.8.
South Tama and Union Districts Lead
The South Tama County district is the largest with 1,488 students, followed by the Union Community School District with 1,008 students. These districts provide the vast majority of the county's educational services. There are zero charter schools in the county, maintaining a purely traditional public school landscape.
Small-Scale Learning in Rural Areas
Seven of the eight schools in Tama County are in rural locales, with only one in a town setting. Average enrollment is 324 students per school, with South Tama County Elementary being the largest at 593 students. This creates a close-knit learning environment where teachers can focus on individual student needs.
Community-Focused Living in Tama County
Strong graduation rates and a rural atmosphere make Tama County a great choice for families seeking a slower pace of life. Educational stability is a key selling point for local real estate. Explore homes in districts like South Tama where schools are the heartbeat of the community.
School Overview
Total Schools
8
in Tama County
Total Enrollment
2,594
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Tama County
South Tama County
Union Comm School District
GMG Comm School District
North Tama County Comm School District
8 Public Schools in Tama County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Tama County Elementary School | South Tama County | PK–4 | Primary | 593 |
| South Tama County High School | South Tama County | 9–12 | High | 472 |
| South Tama County Middle School | South Tama County | 5–8 | Middle | 423 |
| North Tama Elementary | North Tama County Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 282 |
| Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School | Union Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 218 |
| GMG Secondary School | GMG Comm School District | 7–12 | High | 211 |
| Union Middle School | Union Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 201 |
| North Tama High School | North Tama County Comm School District | 7–12 | High | 194 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,361
State avg $7,591
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Tama County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Tama County?
How much does Tama County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Tama County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Tama County, Iowa?
Tama County manages eight public schools across four districts, serving 2,594 students in total. The landscape includes three elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools. This decentralized system ensures that smaller communities maintain their own local educational identities.
How do schools in Tama County perform academically?
Tama County's graduation rate of 92.8% sits comfortably above the state average of 92.3% and the national average of 87.0%. Schools operate on a per-pupil expenditure of $7,361, which is leaner than the state average of $7,591. Despite lower spending, the county maintains a respectable school score of 55.8.
What are the major school districts in Tama County, Iowa?
The South Tama County district is the largest with 1,488 students, followed by the Union Community School District with 1,008 students. These districts provide the vast majority of the county's educational services. There are zero charter schools in the county, maintaining a purely traditional public school landscape.
What is the school experience like in Tama County?
Seven of the eight schools in Tama County are in rural locales, with only one in a town setting. Average enrollment is 324 students per school, with South Tama County Elementary being the largest at 593 students. This creates a close-knit learning environment where teachers can focus on individual student needs.
How can I find homes near good schools in Tama County, Iowa?
Strong graduation rates and a rural atmosphere make Tama County a great choice for families seeking a slower pace of life. Educational stability is a key selling point for local real estate. Explore homes in districts like South Tama where schools are the heartbeat of the community.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.