Skip to main content

Average

#636 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 50% in state

Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School

High School · Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District

PO BOX 206 300 N 8th Ave W, Hartley, IA 51346

Enrollment

208

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#636 of 1,280

In Hartley

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School

6.5/10

High School in Hartley · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hartley-melvin-sanborn Elementary School

7.6/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School

7.8/10

8.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School

Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School is a public high school in Hartley, IA, part of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District. Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School serves approximately 208 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #636 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above IA schools
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Hartley-melvin-sanborn High 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.

33% of students at Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.14 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.6% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.5 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,022
Chronic Absenteeism33.2%

Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School — Students at Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 79.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2015
Math
84.5%
ELA
64.5%
2016
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2017
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%
2018
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2019
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
70%
ELA
78.6%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School Compares

See how Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
50th percentile in IA
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 206 300 N 8th Ave W, Hartley, IA 51346

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Harris-Lake Park High School (rated 8.1/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Lake Park), which scores notably higher. Another option is South O'Brien Secondary School (rated 7.1/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Paullina), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sheldon High School (rated 7.1/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Sheldon), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hartley, see our Hartley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley 0.1 mi 7.6
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 13.2 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 16.8 mi 7.9
Sibley-Ocheyedan Middle School Sibley 19.7 mi 7.9
Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley 19.7 mi 7.0
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 16.9 mi 6.8
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer 17.2 mi 5.8
Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School Sibley 19.9 mi 9.3
Sheldon Middle School Sheldon 17.3 mi 8.3
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 17.6 mi 4.4
Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon 17.6 mi
Sheldon High School Sheldon 17.7 mi 7.1
Okoboji Middle School Milford 18.8 mi 7.5

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
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo, IA 6.5
Columbus Community High School Columbus Junction, IA 6.5
Nodaway Valley High School Greenfield, IA 6.5
North Butler Jr/Sr High School Greene, IA 6.5
Starmont High School Arlington, IA 6.5
Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School Belle Plaine, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School

What grades does Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School serve?

Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School?

Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School has an enrollment of approximately 208 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School is 10.9:1. 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 High School rank in IA?

Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School ranks #636 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School a charter school?

No, Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School a Title I school?

No, Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School?

52.4% of students at Hartley-melvin-sanborn High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
O'Brien County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.2%
4-Year Graduation
84.5%

District

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District
District Enrollment
669
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,022
District Rank
#3 of 3

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.