Very Good
#290 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 23% 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
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hartley
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#47 of 334
In district
#2 of 3
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Hartley, Iowa. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 208 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The MySchoolScout Rating for the school is 6.6 out of 10, placing it at #338 among Iowa’s 1288 high schools (74th percentile).
Academically, students perform well in English Language Arts and Reading with 77% achieving proficiency or above; mathematics sees 71%, while science scores stand at 64%. The school offers a supportive educational environment focused on student development. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School is situated in a rural setting, providing a close-knit community for its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School — Students at Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 4.9/10.
How Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School Compares
See how Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 74.5% (2019) to 77% (2022).
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 7.4/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Lake Park), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sibley-Ocheyedan High School (rated 7.4/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Sibley), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sheldon High School (rated 7.4/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Sheldon), with a very similar rating. 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 | 9.2 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn | 8.7 mi | 6.3 |
| South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar | 9.9 mi | 7.5 |
| SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn | 8.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal | 13.2 mi | 8.1 |
| South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina | 17.8 mi | 6.5 |
| ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina | 17.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park | 19.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park | 20.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer | 16.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan Middle School Sibley | 19.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley | 19.7 mi | 7.4 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer | 16.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Spencer | 17.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School Sibley | 19.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Sheldon Middle School Sheldon | 17.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer | 17.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon | 17.6 mi | — |
| Sheldon High School Sheldon | 17.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Okoboji Middle School Milford | 18.8 mi | 7.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aplington-Parkersburg High School Parkersburg, IA | 7.4 |
| Clarksville High School Clarksville, IA | 7.4 |
| English Valleys Jr-Sr High School North English, IA | 7.4 |
| Griswold Middle/High School Griswold, IA | 7.4 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park, IA | 7.4 |
| Interstate 35 High School Truro, IA | 7.4 |
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 is ranked #290 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hartley-melvin-sanborn High School has 70.6% math proficiency and 77.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (712) 928-3406
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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 methodologyRelated 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.