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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.4Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,842

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.0%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 77.3%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
69.3%
ELA
81.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
47th percentile in IA
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn 0.3 mi 6.8
South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar 6.8 mi 7.5
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley 8.7 mi 7.4
Sheldon Middle School Sheldon 8.7 mi 8.0
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley 8.7 mi 9.2
Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon 8.9 mi
Sheldon High School Sheldon 9.0 mi 7.4
East Elementary School Sheldon 9.2 mi 8.4
SHELDON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheldon 9.3 mi 7.0
ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon 10.0 mi 8.1
South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina 14.5 mi 6.5
ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina 14.7 mi 6.6
Sibley-Ocheyedan Middle School Sibley 15.7 mi 7.7
Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley 15.7 mi 7.4
Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School Sibley 15.8 mi 6.2
George-Little Rock Elementary School Little Rock 21.0 mi 6.7
Boyden-Hull Elementary School Boyden 17.4 mi 7.6
George-Little Rock Senior High School George 20.1 mi 5.6
George-Little Rock Middle School George 20.1 mi 8.0
Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal 20.5 mi 8.1

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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

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