Best High Schools in Zip Code 52501

The 52501 zip code in Iowa is home to two high schools: Ottumwa High School and Gateway High School, both part of the Ottumwa Community School District. While Ottumwa High School appears to be the stronger performing school overall, Gateway High School faces significant academic challenges.

Ottumwa High School outperforms Gateway High School across several key metrics, including higher test scores, graduation rates, and a lower student-teacher ratio. In the 2024-2025 school year, only 25% of 10th graders at Gateway High School were proficient in math, compared to 52.3% at Ottumwa High School and 68% statewide. Additionally, Gateway High School has a much higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students.

Both schools struggle with high chronic absenteeism rates, which may be contributing to the academic challenges faced by students. The stark difference in student-teacher ratios, with Gateway High School having 37 students per teacher compared to Ottumwa High School's 15.1, could also be a factor in the performance gap between the two schools. Overall, the data suggests that while Ottumwa High School is the stronger performing school in the 52501 zip code, Gateway High School faces significant hurdles in providing a quality education to its students.