Very Good
#341 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 27% in state
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School
Elementary School · Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District
400 3rd St NW, Hartley, IA 51346
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#341 of 1,280
In Hartley
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District
Equity
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School
Elementary School in Hartley · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School
8.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School is a public elementary school in Hartley, IA, part of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District. Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School serves approximately 274 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #341 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School — Students at Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School score 81% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 32 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.1/10.
How Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School Compares
See how Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
400 3rd St NW, Hartley, IA 51346
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Sibley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Johnson Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Spencer), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Sanborn), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hartley, see our Hartley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley | 0.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn | 8.7 mi | 7.8 |
| South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar | 9.9 mi | 6.7 |
| SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn | 8.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal | 13.1 mi | 5.1 |
| South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina | 17.8 mi | 7.1 |
| ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina | 17.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park | 19.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park | 20.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer | 16.7 mi | 7.9 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer | 16.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan Middle School Sibley | 19.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley | 19.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Spencer | 17.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School Sibley | 19.9 mi | 9.3 |
| Sheldon Middle School Sheldon | 17.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer | 17.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Okoboji Middle School Milford | 18.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon | 17.7 mi | — |
| Sheldon High School Sheldon | 17.7 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51346 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,179
Median Home Value
$125,800
Median Rent
$721/mo
Population
2,211
College Educated
21.7%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
43.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Big Creek Elementary Polk City, IA | 7.6 |
| East Elementary School Independence, IA | 7.6 |
| Fairbank Elementary School Fairbank, IA | 7.6 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 7.6 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport, IA | 7.6 |
| ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Falls, IA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School
What grades does Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School serve?
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School?
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School rank in IA?
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School ranks #341 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School a charter school?
No, Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School?
50.4% of students at Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 274
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- O'Brien County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.0%
- Phone
- (712) 928-2020
Resources & Links
District
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 669
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,022
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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