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 2026 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 241 students in South O'brien Comm School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public middle schools in Iowa.
Public Middle School in South O'brien Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 72% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 78% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public middle school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
2 Schools
372 Schools
# Students
569 Students
129,526 Students
# Teachers
43 Teachers
9,068 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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 85% has increased from 80-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#110 out of 327 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
74%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
77%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-74%
63%
Graduation Rate
85%
90%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)12.4%
24.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.19
0.45
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
6%
12%
% Black
1%
6%
% White
90%
73%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $17,691 is higher than the state median of $16,592. The school district revenue/student has grown by 16% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,780 is less than the state median of $16,163. The school district spending/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$10 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$9 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,691
$16,592
Spending / Student
$15,780
$16,163
Best South O'brien Comm School District Public Middle Schools (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 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Recent Articles
Phone Bans Are Expanding: Will They Actually Help Your Child?
Phone bans are spreading in public schools nationwide. Learn how to evaluate whether a school's cellphone policy will improve your child's learning and well-being.
Should You Move for a Better Public School or Stay Put?
Considering a move to a higher-rated public school? Learn how to weigh school quality, housing costs, and family priorities before relocating.
How to Compare Public School Value Beyond Test Scores
Learn how to evaluate public school value using student support, school climate, opportunities, and outcomes, not just standardized test scores.
