Very Good
#300 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 23% in state
Sheldon High School
High School · Sheldon Comm School District
1700 East Fourth Street, Sheldon, IA 51201
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sheldon
#3 of 3
public schools
Iowa high schools
#50 of 334
In district
#3 of 3
Sheldon Comm School District
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Sheldon High School
Sheldon High School is a regular public high school located in Sheldon, Iowa, in O'Brien County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 345 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention from the 27 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Sheldon High School's academic performance is solid but shows room for improvement.
The school ranks 69th percentile statewide and has an overall MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. In state assessments, 77% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 71% meet proficiency standards in math. Science scores mirror the strong performance seen in reading with 77% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks.
The school's setting is quite rural, situated in a remote town where community support and involvement play significant roles in the educational experience. Sheldon High School provides a nurturing environment for its students within this close-knit community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Sheldon High School — Students at Sheldon High School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Sheldon High School Compares
See how Sheldon High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 68% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 73% (2022).
Location
1700 East Fourth Street, Sheldon, IA 51201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sheldon High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sibley-Ocheyedan High School (rated 7.4/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Sibley), with a very similar rating. Another option is South O'Brien Secondary School (rated 6.5/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Paullina), with a comparable rating. Additionally, George-Little Rock Senior High School (rated 5.6/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby George), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sheldon, see our Sheldon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,592
Median Home Value
$182,500
Median Rent
$842/mo
Population
6,226
College Educated
21.1%
Homeownership
73.3%
Avg Commute
16.2 min
Poverty Rate
15.7%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sheldon High School has a median household income of $70,592. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $182,500, with a median rent of $842/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
| English Valleys Jr-Sr High School North English, IA | 7.4 |
| Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner, IA | 7.4 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley, IA | 7.4 |
| Interstate 35 High School Truro, IA | 7.4 |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley, IA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sheldon High School
What grades does Sheldon High School serve?
Sheldon High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Sheldon High School?
Sheldon High School has an enrollment of approximately 345 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sheldon High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sheldon High School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sheldon High School rank in IA?
Sheldon High School is ranked #300 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Sheldon High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sheldon 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 Sheldon High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sheldon High School has 70.8% math proficiency and 76.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sheldon High School a charter school?
No, Sheldon High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sheldon High School a Title I school?
No, Sheldon High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sheldon High School?
38.6% of students at Sheldon 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sheldon). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 345
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- O'Brien County
- Phone
- (712) 324-2501
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sheldon Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,221
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,398
- 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
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