For several years, students in Ottumwa attended private classes inside area homes.

Walter B. Schaefer graduated from the Ottumwa High School in 1903 with athletic records and many college football opportunities.

[citation needed] He went to the University of Chicago to play football under the famous coaching of Amos Alonzo Stagg, but Schaefer left college early to fight in the war.

Ottumwa High School as it stands today opened on August 29, 1923, to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.

The facility was connected to the main building via a skywalk accessible from the second floor hallway.

In the 1990s, a city property tax was levied to help fund a multi-million dollar renovation project.

The original aim of the project was to renovate the school hallways and some classrooms, add additional basement classrooms, relocate the cafeteria and library to a new area adjacent to the original building and connecting to the Vo-Tech building, renovate and modernize the school's gymnasium facilities (locker and exercise rooms), and remodel the school's auditorium.

The cafeteria and library projects were successfully completed, along with the basement, classroom, and hallway renovations, by the end of the century.

In spring 2001, the school received a grant for nearly $1 million from Vision Iowa to remodel the auditorium which is where they now hold all of their pep rallies, guest speakers, and drama productions.

[4] During this renovation some plaster designs were removed from the original 1921-1923 ceiling and placed glass for viewing near the exits.

[5] At the same time, additional renovations to the gymnasium facilities were completed with aid of a federal grant obtained with the help of Iowa Senator Tom Harkin.

In addition to 14 varsity athletic teams (archery, baseball/softball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross-country running, football, golf, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, soccer, trapshoot, dance, and wrestling), OHS offers numerous clubs and other activities such as the JROTC program and Drama, as well band, choirs, and orchestra.

It is accredited by North Central Association and the State of Iowa Department of Public Instruction.

Although this course is set up in a different manner than a classroom, students still use teamwork and collaboration to meet project deadlines.

The association plans to work with the student council, give out scholarships, and help fund school reunions.