Very Good
#469 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 37% in state
South O'brien Secondary School
High School · South O'Brien Comm School District
PO BOX 638 307 W Groesbeck, Paullina, IA 51046
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#469 of 1,280
In district
#1 of 2
South O'Brien Comm School District
School environment
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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South O'brien Secondary School
High School in Paullina · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Zion-st John Lutheran School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center
8.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South O'brien Secondary School
South O'brien Secondary School is a public high school in Paullina, IA, part of South O'Brien Comm School District. South O'brien Secondary School serves approximately 242 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. South O'brien Secondary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #469 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for South O'brien Secondary School show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
South O'brien Secondary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
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South O'brien Secondary School — Students at South O'brien Secondary School score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 40 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: 6.6/10.
How South O'brien Secondary School Compares
See how South O'brien Secondary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO BOX 638 307 W Groesbeck, Paullina, IA 51046
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South O'brien Secondary School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MMCRU High School (rated 7.4/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Marcus), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sheldon High School (rated 7.1/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Sheldon), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School (rated 6.5/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Hartley), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Paullina, see our Paullina schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar | 8.3 mi | 6.7 |
| MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus | 12.3 mi | 7.8 |
| MMCRU High School Marcus | 12.4 mi | 7.4 |
| SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn | 14.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn | 14.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Sheldon Middle School Sheldon | 15.9 mi | 8.3 |
| SHELDON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheldon | 15.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Sheldon High School Sheldon | 16.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon | 16.2 mi | — |
| East Elementary School Sheldon | 16.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee | 16.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Cherokee Middle School Cherokee | 16.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Washington High School Cherokee | 16.7 mi | 5.9 |
| ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon | 16.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley | 17.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley | 17.8 mi | 7.6 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School Alton | 16.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen | 18.1 mi | 9.4 |
| Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen | 18.1 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51046 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,389
Median Home Value
$161,200
Median Rent
$804/mo
Population
1,407
College Educated
21.3%
Homeownership
78.5%
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Median Age
51.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Underwood High School Underwood, IA | 7.1 |
| Woodward-Granger High School Woodward, IA | 7.1 |
| Cardinal High School Eldon, IA | 7.0 |
| River Valley Junior- Senior High School Correctionville, IA | 7.0 |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley, IA | 7.0 |
| South Hamilton Middle And High School Jewell, IA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South O'brien Secondary School
What grades does South O'brien Secondary School serve?
South O'brien Secondary School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend South O'brien Secondary School?
South O'brien Secondary School has an enrollment of approximately 242 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South O'brien Secondary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South O'brien Secondary School is 11.5:1. 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 Secondary School rank in IA?
South O'brien Secondary School ranks #469 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South O'brien Secondary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South O'brien Secondary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at South O'brien Secondary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South O'brien Secondary School has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is South O'brien Secondary School a charter school?
No, South O'brien Secondary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South O'brien Secondary School a Title I school?
No, South O'brien Secondary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South O'brien Secondary School?
30.6% of students at South O'brien Secondary 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 242
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- O'Brien County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.8%
- Phone
- (712) 949-3454
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90%+
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
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