Average
#578 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 45% 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
6.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa high schools
#111 of 334
In district
#2 of 2
South O'Brien Comm School District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About South O'brien Secondary School
South O'Brien Secondary School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Paullina, Iowa. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 242 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at South O'Brien Secondary School is solid but shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and state ranking of #353 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (73rd percentile).
Test scores reveal that 81% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 78% in math, and 72% in science. The school is situated in a rural setting where community involvement likely plays a significant role in the educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South O'brien Secondary 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
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South O'brien Secondary School — Students at South O'brien Secondary School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
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 18 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: 8.9/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 78% (2022).
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. Sheldon High School (rated 7.4/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Sheldon), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School (rated 7.4/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Hartley), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MMCRU High School (rated 6.1/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Marcus), 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 | 7.5 |
| MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus | 12.3 mi | 8.5 |
| MMCRU High School Marcus | 12.4 mi | 6.1 |
| SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn | 14.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn | 14.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Sheldon Middle School Sheldon | 15.9 mi | 8.0 |
| SHELDON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheldon | 15.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Sheldon High School Sheldon | 16.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon | 16.2 mi | — |
| East Elementary School Sheldon | 16.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee | 16.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Cherokee Middle School Cherokee | 16.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Washington High School Cherokee | 16.7 mi | 6.1 |
| ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon | 16.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley | 17.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley | 17.8 mi | 9.2 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School Alton | 16.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen | 18.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen | 18.1 mi | 7.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South O'brien Secondary School has a median household income of $81,389. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,200, with a median rent of $804/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Akron Westfield Senior High School Akron, IA | 6.5 |
| COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo, IA | 6.5 |
| Central City High School Central City, IA | 6.5 |
| North-Linn Senior High School Troy Mills, IA | 6.5 |
| Rockford Junior-Senior High School Rockford, IA | 6.5 |
| Boyden-Hull High School Hull, IA | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #578 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South O'brien Secondary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South O'brien Secondary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Secondary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South O'brien Secondary School has 77.7% math proficiency and 80.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Average (347/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (712) 949-3454
- 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
- #2 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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