Engage. Educate. Empower.
Our students are provided with an engaging learning environment that helps them grow academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. From preschool through graduation, we offer a range of experiences to support the needs of every student. These varied experiences, from academics, clubs, and organizations, to athletics, put our students on a path that leads to future careers, and hobbies, or simply provides an opportunity to give back to their community.
We build pride in being part of the Bulldog Nation every day through classroom, school, and district celebrations.
Opportunities at Ottumwa High School include: AP courses, Al Exito, Art Club, Band, Cheerleading, English Learner program, National Honor Society, Silver Cord recognition for community service, Large/Small Group Speech, sports, Trap Shooting, Archery, Show Choir, Student Council, Yearbook, Talented and Gifted, etc.
Opportunities at Evans Middle School include: Al Exito, English Learner program, band, orchestra, choir, sports, Talented and Gifted, Chess Club, Math Counts, History Day competition, school plays, FIRST LEGO League, Future Cities, etc.
Opportunities at Pickwick Early Childhood Center and Elementary include: Guidance counseling services, Family Service Workers, Title I Reading, Talented and Gifted, youth sports teams, Foster Grandparent Program, Reading Buddies, English Learner program, etc.
Ottumwa has Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways in business, construction, food, health, early childhood, and Project Lead the Way (PLTW). These pathways prepare students for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) postsecondary education programs and careers.
Open Enrollment Information
Open enrollment is when parents residing in one Iowa district enroll their children in another Iowa school district.
House File (HF) 2589 eliminates the March 1 deadline for open enrollment. This change allows parents/guardians to apply for open enrollment at any time without the need for good cause. The receiving district may deny an open enrollment request if one of the following applies:
- The application violates the district’s insufficient classroom space policy,
- The district does not have the appropriate special education program,
- The application would adversely affect the district’s implementation of a court-ordered desegregation plan, or
- The student has been expelled or suspended.
If a parent/guardian moves and wishes for their student to continue at the original resident district under open enrollment (often known as the “continuation rule”), requests cannot be denied due to insufficient classroom space policies.
Guidance on Athletic Eligibility
Unless an exception applies, the General Transfer Rule (281-IAC 36.15(3)) prohibits a student-athlete from participating in varsity athletics for 90 school days (not including summer school) after transferring from one Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) or Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) member or associate member school or school district to another.
Completed forms may be submitted via email to welcome@ottumwaschools.com, mailed, or dropped off in person to the Ottumwa School District Welcome Center at 325 E Main St.
Parents with questions are asked to contact the Welcome Center at 641-684-6559 or welcome@ottumwaschools.com
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