Ottumwa Community School District Sees Growth in Graduation Rate

Posted Date: 4/22/25 (4:00 PM)

Ottumwa Community School District Sees Growth in Graduation Rate

Over the last four years, Ottumwa Schools has made transformational strides through its ambitious “Be The Best” initiative to become a destination district in Iowa. Rooted in student, family, staff, and community feedback, the district’s Vision of Excellence outlines a commitment to long-term improvement through:

Investing in teachers and providing vital academic, social, and emotional supports to achieve increased student achievement.
Smaller class sizes and more personalized learning environments that prioritize flexibility, teacher collaboration, and student support.
Safe and supportive school cultures that foster belonging and well-being.
Partnerships and district pride to strengthen the Ottumwa community.

Celebrating Academic Growth: Graduation Rate Highlights

Ottumwa Schools has seen meaningful academic growth during the past four years, particularly in graduation outcomes:

Ottumwa High School's four-year graduation rate increased by 19 percentage points since 2021-22, reflecting targeted supports, academic pathways, and student-focused programming.
OHS’s current graduation rate is 94.74%, dramatically higher than the state average of 88.3% and one of the highest graduation rates of all time at Ottumwa High School.
Gateway Alternative High School increased its graduation rate by 13 percentage points since last year, from 62% to 75%, one of the highest graduation rates for an alternative school in Iowa.
Expanded credit recovery, individualized learning, and alternative pathways have played key roles in helping more students stay on track and earn diplomas.
Since 2021-22, dropout rates have decreased by 1.73%, equating to approximately a 50% decline in the district's overall dropout rate.

Strategic Facility & Program Enhancements Under the Vision of Excellence

The district's strategic recommendations reflect a strong focus on enhancing both facilities and programming.

Upgrading northside elementary schools to ensure high-quality neighborhood learning environments.
Opening Gateway High School, a new Alternative Learning Center (established in August 2022) for grades 9–12 to provide authentic, personalized learning experiences in a supportive setting.
Reconfiguring Ottumwa High School as a 10–12 building, with renovations to modernize classrooms, improve extracurricular spaces, and maintain the historic campus, all without raising taxes.

Strategic grade-level transitions across the district:

Evans Junior High School serves grades 8–9 to improve academic support and career readiness.
Liberty Elementary became a 6–7 Intermediate Learning Center with expanded curricular and recreational opportunities.
Douma Elementary transitioned to two small neighborhood schools for grades 1–2 and the addition of Fahrney Elementary serving 3–5 on a shared campus.
Pickwick Early Childhood Center is designated for Pre-K and Kindergarten students, with a focus on school readiness and family-centered scheduling.

Teachers will continue to be supported throughout these changes with resources and time for curriculum development, professional collaboration, and preparation. “We are proud of our progress over the last four years, but success means more than physical improvements,” said Superintendent McGrory. “We’re investing in our people—our educators and our students—so Ottumwa becomes the best place to learn, grow, and succeed.”

A culmination of these initiatives has resulted in enrollment growth, leading to the Ottumwa Community School District becoming one of the fastest-growing districts in Iowa.

Together, we are building a district where every student can thrive—because Ottumwa deserves the best.

ottumwaschools.com