Total enrollment
2,770
+111 (+4%) vs SY 2017-18
Tama County
Iowa · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in Tama County number 10, teaching approximately 2,770 Iowa students against a population of 16,868. That works out to 4 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
7-year change in Tama County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
+2 (+25%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
59%
was 67%
% Hispanic
21%
was 22%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
10
6 districts
Enrollment
2,770
NCES CCD
Median income
$70,781
Below Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
55.8%
Above Iowa avg
Elementary
4
1,040 students
Middle
2
607 students
High
3
829 students
Combined / other
1
294 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
South Tama County
1,368 students · 6 districts in Tama County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Tama County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
20.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.8%
civilian labor
Median age
42
23.7% under 18
Test scores in Tama County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- GMG Secondary School· 75.8%
- North Tama High School· 70.3%
- North Tama Elementary· 70.1%
- South Tama County Elementary School· 66.7%
- South Tama County Middle School· 66.7%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- South Tama County High School· 65.3%
- South Tama County Elementary School· 66.7%
- South Tama County Middle School· 66.7%
- North Tama Elementary· 70.1%
- North Tama High School· 70.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Tama County Elementary School | Tama | Elementary | PK-04 | 534 | · |
| South Tama County High School | Tama | High | 09-12 | 421 | · |
| South Tama County Middle School | Toledo | Middle | 05-08 | 413 | · |
| Meskwaki Settlement School | Tama | Combined | KG-12 | 294 | · |
| North Tama Elementary | Traer | Elementary | PK-06 | 276 | · |
| Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School | Dysart | Elementary | PK-05 | 219 | · |
| GMG Secondary School | Garwin | High | 07-12 | 205 | · |
| North Tama High School | Traer | High | 07-12 | 203 | · |
| Union Middle School | Dysart | Middle | 06-08 | 194 | · |
| Gladbrook-Reinbeck Preschool | Gladbrook | Elementary | PK-PK | 11 | · |
Cities in Tama County
About Tama County
Across the thinly populated Iowa county of Tama County of about 16,868 residents, the public-school footprint covers 10 schools and about 2,770 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $70,781, about 21% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 11% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Tama County consists of 4 elementary schools (1,040 students), 2 middle schools (607), 3 high schools (829), and 1 combined or other schools.
South Tama County dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,368 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 2,770 students, rose 4% from the 2,659 reported in SY 2017-18. Tama County now counts 10 public schools, up from 8 in SY 2017-18. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 67% to 59% over the same window.
On this page, the community for Tama County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
Tama County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data