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South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center

Summary:

South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center is a public elementary school serving 324 students in grades PK-6 in Primghar, Iowa, which is part of the South O'Brien Community School District. The school has consistently strong academic performance, with students outperforming the state average on standardized tests in both English Language Arts and Mathematics.

South O'Brien Elementary stands out for its relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 11.3 to 13.6 students per teacher over the past three school years. This is lower than nearby elementary schools like Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School (11.8 students per teacher) and East Elementary School in Sheldon (12.6 students per teacher), suggesting smaller class sizes and potentially more individualized attention for students. Additionally, the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at South O'Brien Elementary, ranging from 36.27% to 38.27% over the past three years, is lower than the nearby Clay Central-Everly Elementary (68.06%) and Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary (51.48%), indicating a lower percentage of economically disadvantaged students.

While the student population at South O'Brien Elementary is predominantly white, the school has seen a slight increase in the percentage of Hispanic students, from 3.92% in 2020-2021 to 5.25% in the current school year. The school's consistent academic performance, low student-teacher ratio, and lower percentage of economically disadvantaged students suggest it is providing a high-quality educational experience for its students, though the fluctuations in its statewide ranking on the SchoolDigger scale warrant further investigation.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 155 3rd St NE
       Primghar, IA  51245

(712) 957-3755

District: South O'Brien Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
281st of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,661 Help


Students who attend South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center usually attend:

High:    South O'Brien Secondary School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.9 Help
Number of students:  316

Racial breakdown:

White:
93.0%
Hispanic:
5.1%
Two or more races:
0.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  39.2% Help


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 Compare South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center ranks worse than 50.4% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 57.15. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (93%), Hispanic (5.1%), two or more races (0.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 39.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center is 13.9. (See more...)
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Compare South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center employs 22.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center is $13,661.
Schooldigger Rankings:

South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

South O'Brien Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks South O'Brien Community School District 79th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 68.98 157th 626 74.9%
2013 58.29 296th 624 52.6%
2014 74.11 116th 603 80.8%
2015 56.81 314th 616 49.0%
2016 54.50 330th 599 44.9%
2017 58.60 283rd 574 50.7%
2018 50.77 330th 567 41.8%
2019 50.76 333rd 603 44.8%
2021 54.60 290th 567 48.9%
2022 71.34 157th 574 72.6%
2023 57.34 264th 565 53.3%
2024 57.15 281st 557 49.6%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2000 211 2 1 0 0 n/a n/a -24 190
2001 203 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 203
2002 183 0 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 185
2003 183 0 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 185
2004 186 0 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 189
2005 316 1 0 7 0 n/a n/a 0 324
2006 309 6 1 10 0 n/a n/a 0 326
2007 309 8 2 9 0 n/a n/a 0 328
2008 309 6 2 11 0 n/a n/a 0 328
2009 281 7 2 12 0 n/a n/a 0 302
2010 273 2 2 14 0 0 3 0 294
2011 307 2 2 13 0 0 5 0 329
2012 293 7 2 15 0 0 6 0 323
2013 284 2 2 20 0 0 8 0 316
2014 319 3 1 23 0 0 8 0 354
2015 306 5 1 20 2 0 13 0 347
2016 295 5 1 21 0 0 10 0 332
2017 301 3 1 25 0 0 10 0 340
2018 285 7 1 16 1 0 7 0 317
2019 296 1 0 26 0 0 8 0 331
2020 296 1 0 17 0 0 8 0 322
2021 281 1 0 12 0 0 12 0 306
2022 269 1 0 11 0 0 12 0 293
2023 300 1 0 17 0 0 6 0 324
2024 294 1 0 16 0 2 3 0 316

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 190 17.8 10.7 25.2
2001 203 14.8 13.7 24.1
2002 185 14.0 13.2 27.6
2003 185 14.0 13.2 27.6
2004 189 14.9 12.7 28
2005 324 24.4 13.3 31.5
2006 326 23.4 13.9 25.8
2007 328 24.6 13.3 30.5
2008 328 23.8 13.8 30.5
2009 302 24.3 12.4 36.1
2010 294 24.6 11.9 37.8
2011 329 23.5 14.0 39.2
2012 323 23.9 13.5 40.2
2013 316 24.7 12.7 42.7
2014 354 25.6 13.8 41.8
2015 347 24.0 14.4 47.6
2016 332 25.0 13.2 41.3
2017 340 23.6 14.3 41.5
2018 317 22.3 14.2 37.5
2019 331 23.3 14.2 43.8
2020 322 22.3 14.4 41
2021 306 24.3 12.5 36.3
2022 293 25.9 11.3 37.2
2023 324 23.6 13.6 38.3
2024 316 22.6 13.9 39.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 190 17.8 10.7 25.2
2001 203 14.8 13.7 24.1
2002 185 14.0 13.2 27.6
2003 185 14.0 13.2 27.6
2004 189 14.9 12.7 28
2005 324 24.4 13.3 31.5
2006 326 23.4 13.9 25.8
2007 328 24.6 13.3 30.5
2008 328 23.8 13.8 30.5
2009 302 24.3 12.4 36.1
2010 294 24.6 11.9 37.8
2011 329 23.5 14.0 39.2
2012 323 23.9 13.5 40.2
2013 316 24.7 12.7 42.7
2014 354 25.6 13.8 41.8
2015 347 24.0 14.4 47.6
2016 332 25.0 13.2 41.3
2017 340 23.6 14.3 41.5
2018 317 22.3 14.2 37.5
2019 331 23.3 14.2 43.8
2020 322 22.3 14.4 41
2021 306 24.3 12.5 36.3
2022 293 25.9 11.3 37.2
2023 324 23.6 13.6 38.3
2024 316 22.6 13.9 39.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $610 (4.5%) $13,051 (95.5%) $13,661

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 333rd of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 264th of 565 Elementary schools
 8.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center)79.569
 10.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (South O'Brien Community School District)79.569
 10.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center)76.966.7
 10.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South O'Brien Community School District)76.966.7
 10.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center)74.389.3
 15%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (South O'Brien Community School District)74.389.3
 15%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center)68.689.3
 20.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South O'Brien Community School District)68.689.3
 20.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center)5960
 1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (South O'Brien Community School District)5960
 1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center)51.370
 18.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (South O'Brien Community School District)51.370
 18.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center)79.573
 6.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (South O'Brien Community School District)79.573
 6.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center)65.975.7
 9.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (South O'Brien Community School District)65.975.7
 9.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students331324
 2.1%
African American11
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic2617
 34.6%
Pacific Islander00
White296300
 1.4%
Two or More Races86
 25%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients43.8%38.3%
 5.5%

Schools Near South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center








Frequently Asked Questions about South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center

South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center ranks 281st of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students who attend South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center usually go on to attend:

High : South O'Brien Secondary School

In the 2023-24 school year, 316 students attended South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center.

Students at South O'Brien Elementary School Primghar Center are 93% White, 5% Hispanic.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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