South O'brien Comm School District

216 S Rutledge
Paullina, IA 51046-0638
(District boundaries shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%

Top Rankings

South O'brien Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:

Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 558 students in South O'brien Comm School District. This district's average testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in Iowa.
Public Schools in South O'brien Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 78% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
2 Schools
1,320 Schools
# Students
558 Students
501,674 Students
# Teachers
44 Teachers
34,800 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

South O'brien Comm School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 70-79% has decreased from 80-89% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (IA)
#114 out of 327 school districts
(Top 50%)
69%
64%
77%
70%
70-74%
63%
70-79%
90%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.15
0.47
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
3%
% Hispanic
6%
13%
% Black
n/a
7%
% White
92%
71%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,039 is higher than the state median of $16,468. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,091 is higher than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (IA)
Total Revenue
$10 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$9 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,039
$16,468
Spending / Student
$16,091
$16,042

Best South O'brien Comm School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
South O'brien Elementary Sch Primghar Center
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
155 3rd St Ne
Primghar, IA 51245
(712) 957-3755
Grades: PK-6
| 316 students
Rank: #22.
South O'brien Secondary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
307 W Groesbeck
Paullina, IA 51046
(712) 949-3454
Grades: 7-12
| 242 students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to South O'brien Comm School District?
South O'brien Comm School District manages 2 public schools serving 558 students.
What is the rank of South O'brien Comm School District?
South O'brien Comm School District is ranked #120 out of 325 school districts in Iowa (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Iowa school districts for: Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in South O'brien Comm School District?
92% of South O'brien Comm School District students are White, 6% of students are Hispanic, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of South O'brien Comm School District?
South O'brien Comm School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What is South O'brien Comm School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $16,091 is higher than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 2 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 558 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 8%
  • : 70-79% (Btm 50% in IA)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 69% (Top 50%)
  • : 77% (Top 30%)
  • : 70-74% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Quick Links