For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 3,074 students in Tama County, IA.
The top-ranked public schools in Tama County, IA are Dysart-geneseo Elementary School, Union Middle School and Gmg Secondary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tama County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Tama County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Tama County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dysart-geneseo Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
411 Lincoln
Dysart, IA 52224
(319) 476-7110
Dysart, IA 52224
(319) 476-7110
Gr: PK-5 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Union Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
505 West
Dysart, IA 52224
(319) 476-5100
Dysart, IA 52224
(319) 476-5100
Gr: 6-8 | 194 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Gmg Secondary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
306 Park Street
Garwin, IA 50632
(641) 499-2005
Garwin, IA 50632
(641) 499-2005
Gr: 7-12 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
North Tama High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
605 Walnut
Traer, IA 50675
(319) 478-2265
Traer, IA 50675
(319) 478-2265
Gr: 7-12 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
South Tama County Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1611 Country Club Dr
Tama, IA 52339
(641) 484-3999
Tama, IA 52339
(641) 484-3999
Gr: PK-4 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #66.
North Tama Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
605 Walnut
Traer, IA 50675
(319) 478-2265
Traer, IA 50675
(319) 478-2265
Gr: PK-6 | 276 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #77.
South Tama County Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
201 S Green
Toledo, IA 52342
(641) 484-4121
Toledo, IA 52342
(641) 484-4121
Gr: 5-8 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #88.
Gmg Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1710 Wallace Avenue
Garwin, IA 50632
(641) 474-2251
Garwin, IA 50632
(641) 474-2251
Gr: PK-6 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #99.
South Tama County High School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1715 Harding St
Tama, IA 52339
(641) 484-4345
Tama, IA 52339
(641) 484-4345
Gr: 9-12 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: n/an/a
1608 305th St
Tama, IA 52339
(641) 484-9000
Tama, IA 52339
(641) 484-9000
Gr: K-12 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Tama County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Tama County, IA include Dysart-geneseo Elementary School, Union Middle School and Gmg Secondary School.
How many public schools are located in Tama County?
10 public schools are located in Tama County.
What is the racial composition of students in Tama County?
Tama County public schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Tama County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Tama County include: Meskwaki Settlement School vs. South Tama County Middle School, South Tama County Elementary School vs. South Tama County Middle School, North Tama High School vs. North Tama Elementary School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
