O'Brien County has several outstanding public and private education opportunities for its young people. The county is divided into three public school districts: Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, Sheldon Community and South O'Brien.
We are fortunate to have several institutions of higher learning in the area. Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) in Sheldon offers 25 vocational/technical programs in addition to arts and science college transfer courses. NCC also presents many continuing education classes and provides numerous services to the area. Dordt College in Sioux Center and Northwestern College in Orange City are both a short commute of O'Brien County. In addition, Buena Vista University, Briar Cliff College, Morningside College and Iowa Lakes Community College are all within one hour distance of O'Brien.
School Districts
To view the individual public school districts, click on the school district names below. To learn more about school programs, scroll down to see the table describing school programs and the listing of district distinctions. To learn about private schools available in the county, click on private schools below.
Click on district to view district information
Public School District Information
| |
HMS |
Sheldon |
South O'Brien |
| Central Office Location |
173 S. Central Hartley, IA 51346
712-728-2022 |
1700 E. 4th Street
Sheldon, IA 51201
712-324-2504 |
216 S. Rutledge
Paullina, IA 51046
712-949-3452 |
| High School Location |
300 N. 8th Ave. W.
Hartley, IA 51346
712-728-3406 or
1-800-207-4290 |
1700 E. 4th Street
Sheldon, IA 51201
712-324-2501 |
216 S. Rutledge
Paullina, IA 51046
712-949-3454 |
| Middle School Location |
509 Main Street Sanborn, IA 51248
712-729-3281 or
1-800-738-9879 |
727 6th Avenue
Sheldon, IA 51201
712-324-4337 |
216 S. Rutledge
Paullina, IA 51046
712-949-3454 |
| Elementary School Location |
240 1st St. S.E.
Hartley, IA 51346
712-728-2022 or
1-800-738-9875 |
Normal College
Avenue
Sheldon, IA 51201
712-324-4337 |
155 3rd St. NE
Primghar, IA 51245
712-957-3755 |
| Area Served |
249 square miles |
187 square miles |
303 square miles |
| Budget Enrollment |
951.1 |
1,161.3 |
926.4 |
| Assessed Valuation |
$191,986,345 |
$229,294,896 |
$249,965,284 |
| Total Budget |
$6,181,495 |
Total: $8,846,915 General Fund Budget: $7,439,528 |
General Fund Budget:
$6,484,457 |
| Building Projects |
$900,000 addition to Middle School in 1994. $3,9 M addition to high school underway. Completion date 2000-2001. |
Ongoing Facility and Maintenance though physical plant and equipment levy. |
N/A |
| Staff |
78 teachers
4 administrators
38 support staff |
73.7 teachers
(Full time equivalent) |
71 teachers
3 administrators
56 support staff |
| Athletic Conference |
Siouxland Conference:
Football: Class 2A,
District #1 |
Lakes Conference; Football: Class 2A,
District #1 |
War Eagle Conference:
Football: Class 2A,
District #1 |
ICN Sites
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community High School
300 N. 8th Avenue, West
Hartley
(712) 928-2022
National Guard Armory
920 Western Avenue
Sheldon
(712) 324-2494
Northwest Iowa Community College
603 West Park Street
Sheldon
(712) 732-5061
South O'Brien Community High School
307 W. Groesbeck
Paullina
(712) 949-3454
