8.3 avg / 10

Best Schools in Hartley, Iowa

2 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 High

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 2

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 8.3/10

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 8.3/10
Median household income: $60,179
Median home value: $125,800
Bachelor's degree or higher: 22%
Avg commute: 21 min
Owner-occupied homes: 80%

How Hartley compares

Median household income

$60k

79% of Iowa median

About Schools in Hartley, Iowa

Hartley, Iowa is home to 2 schools, including 2 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, , and 1 high school.

With an average rating of 8.3 out of 10, schools in Hartley perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Hartley is Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School with a composite score of 9.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Hartley is served by 1 school district: Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 669 students.

Hartley's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $60,179. The poverty rate in the area is 11.4%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by Level: All Levels (2) Elementary (1) High (1)

Filter by Type: All Types (2) Public (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (2) Academics (2) Growth (2) Diversity (2) Resources (2)

Filter by ZIP: 51346 (2)

Elementary Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School 274 students · Pre-K–4th	274	Pre-K–4th	9.2

High Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School 208 students · 9th–12th	208	9th–12th	7.4

Schools in Hartley

Hartley, Iowa · 2 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$60,179

Median Home Value

$125,800

Median Rent

$721/mo

Population

2,211

College Educated

22%

Homeownership

80%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Community Profile

Hartley has a median household income of $60,179. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $125,800, with a median rent of $721/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Iowa
Total Schools: 2
Elementary: 1
High: 1
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 8.3/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Hartley schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Hartley 📊 Niche Hartley Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District

3 schools · 669 students

Nearby Cities

Lake Park (2 schools)

Spirit Lake (3 schools)

25 mi

Sioux Rapids (3 schools)

27 mi

Little Rock (1 school)

Other Major Cities in Iowa

Top metros statewide by school count.

Des Moines 77 schools Cedar Rapids 52 schools Sioux City 29 schools Davenport 28 schools Dubuque 23 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Hartley, Iowa

How many schools are in Hartley, Iowa?

Hartley has 2 schools, including 2 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Hartley, Iowa?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hartley is 8.3 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Hartley, Iowa?

The top-ranked school in Hartley on MySchoolScout is Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School with a composite score of 9.2/10.

What is the best elementary school in Hartley, Iowa?

The top-ranked elementary school in Hartley on MySchoolScout is Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School with a composite score of 9.2/10.

What is the best high school in Hartley, Iowa?

The top-ranked high school in Hartley on MySchoolScout is Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School with a composite score of 7.4/10.

How many school districts serve Hartley, Iowa?

Hartley is served by 1 school district: Hartley-melvin-sanborn Comm School District.

What is the education level in Hartley, Iowa?

According to Census data, 22% of adults in Hartley have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Hartley, Iowa?

The median household income in Hartley is approximately $60,179 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Hartley, Iowa?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hartley is 11.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Hartley, Iowa?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.