The Ottumwa Community School District is reporting an increase in enrollment for the current school year and the most students in the district since 1998.
Preliminary figures show that the district has gained 200 students this year, increasing total enrollment to over 5,000 students.
The district says the increase continues a positive enrollment trend which has added over 400 students to the Ottumwa district over the last 4 years, a trend that has placed Ottumwa within the top 3 fastest growing districts of comparable size last year. With the preliminary 2022-2023 enrollment figures available, the district expects to once again be among the fastest-growing districts in the state.
“The energy and excitement here at Ottumwa Schools is unmatched to anything I have previously experienced while teaching in Ottumwa or any other district I have been a part of. This is a great time for Ottumwa Schools. This energy is due to our dedicated staff, who recently voted us as a Top Workplace in Southern Iowa.”Associate Superintendent Brad McCloskey
Based on the projected enrollment for 2023, Ottumwa is in line to receive annually over $1.5 million of new funds to support the educational needs of its staff and students.
The District is continuing its initiative to “Be the Best” and make Ottumwa Schools a destination district for Iowa students and families. The rewards of those efforts can be seen in the increasing enrollment as the district continues with multiple investments into facilities, programs, and instruction including:
● 5-year, $50 million dollar commitment to state-of-the-art facilities ● Free breakfast and lunch for all students
● $300,000 investment in fine arts programming
● Increased opportunities with expanded Career and Technical Education offerings
● Increased safety measures at each school
● New playgrounds and Mini-Pitch recreation areas at all Elementary and Middle Schools
