Summary:
The city of Hartley, Iowa is home to two schools that serve students from elementary through high school: Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School and Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School, both part of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District. The elementary school consistently performs well on state assessments, earning a 4-star rating and placing it in the top 15% of Iowa elementary schools. In contrast, the high school's performance has fluctuated, but it achieved a 5-star rating in the 2022-2023 school year, ranking it in the top 10% of Iowa high schools.
Both schools have relatively small student-teacher ratios, with the elementary school at 12.1 and the high school at 10.9, suggesting a more personalized learning environment. However, both schools also face challenges, with chronic absenteeism rates exceeding the state average. Additionally, a significant portion of the student population at both schools comes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with over 50% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.
Despite these challenges, the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn school district appears to be making a concerted effort to provide a well-resourced and supportive learning environment for its students. The high per-student spending at both schools, coupled with their strong academic performance, suggests a focus on ensuring students have the resources and support they need to succeed.
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