Average
#674 of 1,280 schools in IA
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School
Middle School · Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District
PO BOX 557 509 Main St., Sanborn, IA 51248
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa middle schools
#154 of 248
In district
#3 of 3
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Sanborn, Iowa. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn has an enrollment of 171 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1 with 12 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance shows that 77% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 69% in math, and 76% in science.
While the MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10, placing it at the 30th percentile among Iowa schools, the school continues to focus on student development and academic growth. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School sits in a small rural community where close-knit relationships between students and teachers are common, fostering a supportive learning environment for middle schoolers transitioning through this critical stage of their education.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 171 students, Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School — Students at Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 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: 5.5/10.
How Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School Compares
See how Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 557 509 Main St., Sanborn, IA 51248
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sheldon Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Sheldon), which scores notably higher. Another option is George-Little Rock Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby George), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sibley-Ocheyedan Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Sibley), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sanborn, see our Sanborn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51248 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,809
Median Home Value
$154,400
Median Rent
$869/mo
Population
1,643
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
77.4%
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
43.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School has a median household income of $60,809. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,400, with a median rent of $869/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Denver Middle School Denver, IA | 6.3 |
| St Ansgar Middle School St. Ansgar, IA | 6.3 |
| Alburnett Middle School Alburnett, IA | 6.4 |
| Maquoketa Valley Middle School Delhi, IA | 6.4 |
| Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Middle School Odebolt, IA | 6.4 |
| Walcott Intermediate Walcott, IA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School
What grades does Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School serve?
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School?
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 171 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School is 14.2:1. 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 Middle School rank in IA?
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School is ranked #674 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School has 69.0% math proficiency and 77.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School a charter school?
No, Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School a Title I school?
No, Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle School?
54.4% of students at Hartley-melvin-sanborn Middle 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
- County Safety
- Average (347/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 171
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- O'Brien County
- Phone
- (712) 930-3281
- 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
- #3 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.