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
Enrollment
316
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 15 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 77% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (712) 957-3755
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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