For the 2026 school year, there are 4 private schools serving 387 students in O'brien County, IA (there are 9 public schools, serving 2,371 public students). 14% of all K-12 students in O'brien County, IA are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
The top-ranked private school in O'brien County, IA is Zion-st John Lutheran School.
The average acceptance rate is 99%, which is higher than the Iowa private school average acceptance rate of 86%.
Top-Ranked O'brien County Private Schools (2026)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Zion-st John Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
103 W Bertha St
Paullina, IA 51046
(712) 949-3915
Paullina, IA 51046
(712) 949-3915
Gr: PK-8 | 81 students Avg. class size: 8 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
1020 4th Ave
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-3181
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-3181
Gr: PK-8 | 64 students
405 W 2nd Street
Sanborn, IA 51248
(712) 729-3288
Sanborn, IA 51248
(712) 729-3288
Gr: PK-8 | 110 students Avg. class size: 11 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
Sheldon Christian School
(Christian)
1425 E 9th Street
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-2429
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-2429
Gr: PK-8 | 132 students Sports: 4
Overview
This County (O'brien County)
This State (IA)
# Schools
4 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
387 Students
52,671 Students
% Average Students of Color
15%
16%
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
39 Teachers
4,274 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
10%
40%
Average Class Size
10 students
16 students
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$7,400
$9,686
Average Acceptance Rate
99%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.50
0.48
# American Indian Students
n/a
116 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
1 Student
1,075 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
2%
# Hispanic Students
31 Students
3,392 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
7%
# Black Students
10 Students
1,537 Students
% Black Students
3%
3%
# White Students
258 Students
36,965 Students
% White Students
67%
70%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
98 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
87 Students
9,597 Students
% of Others Students
22%
18%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
3 extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
5 sports
7 sports
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in O'brien County, IA?
The top-ranked private schools in O'brien County, IA is Zion-st John Lutheran School.
How many private schools are located in O'brien County?
4 private schools are located in O'brien County.
What percentage of students in O'brien County go to private school?
14% of all K-12 students in O'brien County are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
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