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Very Good

#247 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 19% in state

South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center

Elementary School · South O'Brien Comm School District

PO BOX 470 155 3rd St NE, Primghar, IA 51245

Enrollment

316

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#167 of 662

In district

#1 of 2

South O'Brien Comm School District

Equity

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center

South O'Brien Elementary School serves students from preschool through sixth grade in Primghar, a remote rural community in O'Brien County. With an enrollment of 316 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, the school maintains a manageable class size supported by 22 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, South O'Brien performs well relative to Iowa standards, ranking in the 90th percentile statewide (#135 out of 1,288 Iowa schools) with a MySchoolScout Rating of 7.4/10.

The school's academic score of 7.7/10 reflects solid student achievement across grade levels. In English language arts and reading, 72% of students perform at or above proficiency, while 70% meet or exceed math proficiency benchmarks. The school is deeply rooted in its remote rural setting, serving as an important educational anchor for the Primghar community.

Families in this region benefit from a school that provides a personalized learning environment where teachers can give individual attention within a supportive, close-knit setting typical of rural Iowa schools.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center 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 Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,327

South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center — Students at South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.7%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 73.6%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 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
67%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
72.7%
ELA
74.9%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Compares

See how South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
81th percentile in IA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

PO BOX 470 155 3rd St NE, Primghar, IA 51245

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Hartley), which scores notably higher. Another option is MMCRU Marcus Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Marcus), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, East Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Sheldon), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Primghar, see our Primghar schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.2 mi
School Distance Rating
SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn 6.6 mi 6.8
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn 6.8 mi 6.3
South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina 8.3 mi 6.5
ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina 8.5 mi 6.6
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley 9.9 mi 7.4
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley 9.9 mi 9.2
Sheldon Middle School Sheldon 12.1 mi 8.0
Sheldon High School Sheldon 12.3 mi 7.4
Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon 12.4 mi
SHELDON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheldon 12.4 mi 7.0
East Elementary School Sheldon 12.5 mi 8.4
ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon 13.0 mi 8.1
MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus 20.6 mi 8.5
MMCRU High School Marcus 20.7 mi 6.1
Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee 22.6 mi 5.8
Cherokee Middle School Cherokee 22.6 mi 5.8
Sibley-Ocheyedan Middle School Sibley 22.5 mi 7.7
Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley 22.5 mi 7.4
Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School Sibley 22.6 mi 6.2
Washington High School Cherokee 23.2 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51245 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,958

Median Home Value

$139,500

Median Rent

$933/mo

Population

1,264

College Educated

28.7%

Homeownership

86.6%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

15.6%

Median Age

37.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center has a median household income of $78,958. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,500, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. 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
Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington, IA 7.5
Bluff Elementary School Clinton, IA 7.5
Calamus-Wheatland Elem Attendance Center Calamus, IA 7.5
Creston Elementary School Creston, IA 7.5
Forest Grove Elementary Bettendorf, IA 7.5
Johnson Elementary Spencer, IA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center

What grades does South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center serve?

South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center?

South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center has an enrollment of approximately 316 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center?

The student-teacher ratio at South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center rank in IA?

South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center is ranked #247 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center's MySchoolScout rating?

South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center has a composite rating of 7.5 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 South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center has 71.7% math proficiency and 73.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center a charter school?

No, South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center a Title I school?

No, South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center?

39.2% of students at South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (347/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
316
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
O'Brien County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South O'Brien Comm School District
District Enrollment
558
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,648
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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