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Carnegie LibraryCarnegie Library · Photo: John Licinius Everett Peck, Otto Hillock Montzheimer, William J. Miller · Public domain
B+
Schools in Sheldon · Sheldon Community School District

Sheldon’s public schools outscore 67% of Iowa districts

On the state math tests, 79% of Sheldon’s students scored proficient, above the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Sheldon, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.

≈could be anywhere from C+ to A#52of 140 Iowa townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
82%
▲ 12 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
79%
▲ 15 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 4–8 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.4K
▼ 10% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.7
IA 14.1
Schools in town
6
1,179 students on the public path
In brief

Sheldon’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 614 Iowa towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sheldon’s, its schools beat 74%, higher than their 67% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 82% and math 79% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,356 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is Sheldon Middle School, then Sheldon High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Sheldon Christian School (private) and St. Patrick Elementary School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Sheldon’s grade

A Test scoresD Graduation

B+: better than 67% of Iowa school districts, #52 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores are above the Iowa average; graduation is below it.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 67%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (614)Better than 74%
C+AA rough placement. Ordinary sampling error in 741 test results and a graduating class of 93 could put Sheldon anywhere from C+ to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Sheldon’s students in the tested grades sat them (741 in math, 741 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Sheldon, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4East Elementary SchoolSheldon Community School DistrictA
5–8Sheldon Middle SchoolSheldon Community School DistrictB+
9–12Sheldon High SchoolSheldon Community School DistrictA−

Sheldon’s public schools are run by Sheldon Community School District, which also serves Archer, Ashton and Matlock. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Sheldon Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,179 students, up 3% since 2022–23 · 13.7 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$12,356IA $13,713 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading82%
State average 69.7% · 741 students tested
Math79%
State average 63.8% · 741 students tested

Sheldon vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Sheldon’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SheldonB+Sheldon

Every school in Sheldon

6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Sheldonby address
East Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
A
468 students14:1Rate it →
Little Orabs Preschool
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
43 students22:1Rate it →
Sheldon Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
B+
312 students13:1Rate it →
Sheldon High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
356 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Sheldon Christian School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
106 students9:1Rate it →
St. Patrick Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
51 students6:1Rate it →

Questions about Sheldon’s schools

Are Sheldon’s schools good?

By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Sheldon children attend outscore 67% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #52 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 74%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Sheldon in?

Sheldon Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,179 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Sheldon kids go to high school?

Sheldon High School, with 356 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Sheldon’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Sheldon Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Sheldon spend per student?

$12,356 in Sheldon Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Sheldon?

Yes: Sheldon Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 106 students) and St. Patrick Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 51 students).

Parents talk

What Sheldon families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sheldon → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.