Superintendent Welcome
Welcome to the North Tama County Community School District!
The administrative team, faculty, staff, and I are privileged to serve the North Tama community. This school district is the heart of the community. The foundation of our success is built upon support from families, communities, students, staff, and the Board of Education. Because of this tremendous support, North Tama students are empowered to thrive in a positive learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom. I feel fortunate that our district is supported by engaged and invested stakeholders who truly serve as our partners in education.
If you’re new to the district or considering North Tama for your child’s education, I hope you’ll take a few moments to review the information at the bottom of this page; we hope it will help you to understand why the North Tama community is a great place to live, work, and raise a family – and to understand a few of the many reasons we’re #NTPROUD!
For additional information about our programs and to stay updated on district events, I invite you to visit our web page often. You may also wish to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Thank you for your continued interest and support of the North Tama County Community School District!
Parents and district patrons should always feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have. The BEST way to connect with me is by telephone so we can have a real conversation and a true back-and-forth exchange of ideas. Email is also a useful way to reach out...but don't be surprised if I respond to your email by calling you on the phone or inviting you to stop in for a visit! Reach me in one of the following ways:
Telephone: (319) 478-2265 ext. 152 (please leave a voicemail message if there is no answer)
Email: david.hill@ntredhawks.org
With Redhawk pride,
David R. Hill, Superintendent
North Tama is a SMALL-TOWN SCHOOL that offers WORLD-CLASS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, and we’re excited to share a few of the many reasons we’re proud to be North Tama Redhawks:
A SINGLE K-12 CAMPUS. One unique aspect of our school is that instruction for all students in grades PK-12 takes place at one location on our campus in Traer, providing convenience for families and opportunities for PK-12 collaboration and support.
A RECOGNIZED LEADER. North Tama has a well-established reputation among Iowa school districts. The district is a recognized leader in Iowa’s statewide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) initiative and with the integration of STEM into the daily K-6 literacy instruction. In recent years, district staff and programs have received numerous special recognitions from Governor Reynolds, former Governor Branstad, the University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, numerous partner districts, and the Governor’s STEM Council among others. Our teachers have presented at numerous state and national meetings and conferences, including the National Science Teachers Association Conference, PBIS Conferences, and the Learning Supports Conference in recent years. North Tama is frequently visited by other districts seeking to strengthen their efforts in PBIS, STEM, Integrated Literacy/STEM instruction, and technology.
A DESTINATION SCHOOL. Along with long-time residents, our student body is made up of many students whose families made the decision to move to the area so that their children could attend North Tama. In addition, the district serves a relatively large number of students that are open enrolled here from the surrounding districts. These families have shown confidence that their children will receive an outstanding educational experience from the time they start school until they proudly walk across the stage at graduation.
UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCES. North Tama’s Visiting Author Series has brought top-selling and Newberry Award-winning authors such as Kirby Larson, Drew Daywalt, Peter Reynolds, Anika Denise, and Trent Reedy to our school over the past five years, giving K-12 students the inspiration to read, write, and create. STEM learning opportunities include a Lego League robotics team, a scholarship program to send students to Space Camp, an annual STEM Expert Day and an annual STEM Fair. We partner with the University of Northern Iowa’s Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education as an action research center. North Tama also is the birthplace of International Dot Day, an annual celebration of Creativity, Courage, and Collaboration now celebrated by over 10 million in 170 countries around the world!
TECHNOLOGY-RICH ENVIRONMENT. Students are immersed in a technology-rich environment, with access to a high-speed wireless network, 1-to-1 iPads in grades 7-12, and numerous mobile laptop labs at the elementary level.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. North Tama’s student achievement as measured by the Iowa Assessment, ACT, graduation rates, and numerous other measures provides further evidence that we are providing a world-class education that meets the needs of our students.
THE PERSONAL TOUCH. In larger school systems, some parents may feel their child can get “lost in the shuffle” making it a challenge to access the personalized education that each child deserves. Many have commented that North Tama is the “perfect” size for their child – our teachers and coaches are able to get to know each child and their family personally in order to better meet their needs and help each child access a multitude of opportunities. A relatively stable enrollment trend (we serve approximately 470 students in grades PK-12) and careful planning have resulted in a district that is financially sound and looking toward a bright future!
SAFE & COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENTS. All classrooms are air-conditioned, and the district has numerous safety measures and plans in place to keep all students and staff safe. All route buses are air-conditioned and have seat belts for all passengers.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT. The community is incredibly supportive of our school! We enjoy amazing support from parent and community volunteers, a supportive school board, booster groups such as music boosters and athletic boosters, and the North Tama Alumni Association. City leaders, economic development leaders, and members of the local business community provide support and work as a team to move this community forward. Our school, individual families, and the community as a while are strengthened by many great community organizations including the Lions Club, local churches, Fire and Ambulance, Traer Community Foundation, C.H.A.T. (Christian Hands Across Traer), NT BASIC (North Tama Brothers & Sisters in Christ), the American Legion, Scouts, the Chamber of Commerce, and more.
If you are interested in a solid educational foundation for your child(ren) with preparation for the future, North Tama Schools will provide ample opportunity for success. Please call us at (319) 478-2265 if you have questions about our school or would like to schedule a tour.
