For the 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public middle schools serving 732 students in O'brien County, IA.
The top ranked public middle schools in O'brien County, IA are Sheldon Middle School, South O'brien Secondary School and Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
O'brien County, IA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 79% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 71% statewide average). Middle schools in O'brien County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Iowa public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public middle school average of 25% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in O'brien County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sheldon Middle School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
310 23rd Avenue
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-4346
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-4346
Gr: 5-8 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #22.
South O'brien Secondary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
307 W Groesbeck
Paullina, IA 51046
(712) 949-3454
Paullina, IA 51046
(712) 949-3454
Gr: 7-12 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
509 Main St.
Sanborn, IA 51248
(712) 930-3281
Sanborn, IA 51248
(712) 930-3281
Gr: 5-8 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
O'brien County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Northwest Iowa Charter High School (Closed 2011)
Charter School
300 North 8th Ave West
Hartley, IA 51346
(712) 928-3406
Hartley, IA 51346
(712) 928-3406
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in O'brien County, IA?
The top ranked public middle schools in O'brien County, IA include Sheldon Middle School, South O'brien Secondary School and Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in O'brien County?
3 public middle schools are located in O'brien County.
What is the racial composition of students in O'brien County?
O'brien County public middle schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public middle schools average of 25% (majority Hispanic).
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