For the 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 795 students in O'brien County, IA.
The top ranked public high schools in O'brien County, IA are South O'brien Secondary School, Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School and Sheldon High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
O'brien County, IA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 72% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 76% (versus the 71% statewide average). High schools in O'brien County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public high schools.
O'brien County, IA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 83%, which is less than the Iowa average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School, with 80-89% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in O'brien County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 N 8th Ave W
Hartley, IA 51346
(712) 928-3406
Hartley, IA 51346
(712) 928-3406
Gr: 9-12 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #33.
Sheldon High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1700 East Fourth Street
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-2501
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-2501
Gr: 9-12 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
O'brien County 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ (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 high schools in O'brien County, IA?
The top ranked public high schools in O'brien County, IA include South O'brien Secondary School, Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School and Sheldon High School.
How many public high schools are located in O'brien County?
3 public high schools are located in O'brien County.
What is the racial composition of students in O'brien County?
O'brien County public high schools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
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