Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0Ames’s public schools outscore 54% of Iowa districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Ames, 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.
From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% 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.
Ames’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 595 Iowa towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ames’s, its schools beat 62%, higher than their 54% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 73% and math 70% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,699 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Ames Middle School, then Ames High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Cecilia Elementary School (private) is 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.
What’s behind Ames’s grade
B−: better than 54% of Iowa school districts, #69 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ames, with each school’s own grade.
Ames’s public schools are run by Ames Community School District. Parts of Ames (9% and 3% of its land) are served by Gilbert and Nevada instead. 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.
Above the state in reading
Ames vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Ames’s borders.
Every school in Ames
9 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).
Questions about Ames’s schools
Are Ames’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Iowa: the public schools Ames children attend outscore 54% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #69 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 62%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ames in?
Ames Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,688 students in 8 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Ames are served by Gilbert and Nevada.
Where do Ames kids go to high school?
Ames High School, with 1,440 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Ames’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Ames Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Ames spend per student?
$13,699 in Ames Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ames?
Yes: St. Cecilia Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 148 students).
Parents talk
What Ames families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ames → 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.