For the 2026 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 (2026)
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 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 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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