Top 10 Best Story County Public Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 11,709 students in Story County, IA (there are 3 private schools, serving 229 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Story County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 92%). Story County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Iowa.
The top ranked public schools in Story County, IA are Gilbert High School, Gilbert Middle School and Gilbert Intermediate School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Story County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 74% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 76% (versus the 68% statewide average). Schools in Story County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).

Best Story County Public Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Gilbert High School
Math: 86% | Reading: 91%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
312 Gretten
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Grades: 9-12
| 521 students
Rank: #22.
Gilbert Middle School
Math: 86% | Reading: 90%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
201 E. Mathews
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-0540
Grades: 6-8
| 408 students
Rank: #33.
Gilbert Intermediate School
Math: 90% | Reading: 82%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
103 Mathews Dr
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3748
Grades: 3-5
| 344 students
Rank: #44.
Roland-story Elementary School
Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
900 Hillcrest Dr
Story City, IA 50248
(515) 733-4386
Grades: PK-4
| 444 students
Rank: #55.
Ballard Middle School
Math: 84% | Reading: 82%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
509 N Main Ave
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2815
Grades: 6-8
| 427 students
Rank: #66.
Roland-story Middle School
Math: 77% | Reading: 85%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
206 S Main St
Roland, IA 50236
(515) 388-4348
Grades: 5-8
| 320 students
Rank: #77.
Roland-story High School
Math: 77% | Reading: 83%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1009 Story St
Story City, IA 50248
(515) 733-4329
Grades: 9-12
| 342 students
Rank: #88.
Ballard East Elementary School
Math: 83% | Reading: 74%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
505 W 4th St
Cambridge, IA 50046
(515) 220-4306
Grades: 3-5
| 406 students
Rank: #99.
Fellows Elementary School
Math: 80% | Reading: 75%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1235 20th St.
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3765
Grades: K-5
| 518 students
Rank: #1010.
Ballard High School
Math: 71% | Reading: 78%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
701 Ballard Drive
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2971
Grades: 9-12
| 515 students
Rank: #1111.
Ames High School
Math: 69% | Reading: 77%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1921 Ames High Drive
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0600
Grades: 9-12
| 1,419 students
Rank: #1212.
Colo-nesco Middle/high School
Math: 67% | Reading: 76%
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Grades: 5-12
| 244 students
Rank: #1313.
Central Elementary School
Math: 76% | Reading: 68%
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
925 H Ave
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2383
Grades: PK-4
| 626 students
Rank: #1414.
Nevada High School
Math: 62% | Reading: 77%
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1001 15th St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-3521
Grades: 9-12
| 468 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Edwards Elementary School
Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
820 Miller Ave
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 239-3760
Grades: K-5
| 415 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Mitchell Elementary School
Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3521 Jewel Dr
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3775
Grades: K-5
| 306 students
Rank: #1717.
Ames Middle School
Math: 71% | Reading: 70%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3915 Mortensen Road
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 268-2400
Grades: 6-8
| 1,073 students
Rank: #1818.
Nevada Middle School
Math: 63% | Reading: 72%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1035 15th St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2751
Grades: 5-8
| 441 students
Rank: #1919.
Collins-maxwell Elementary School
Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
416 Fourth Avenue
Collins, IA 50055
(641) 385-2446
Grades: PK-6
| 222 students
Rank: #2020.
Collins-maxwell Middle/high School
Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Metcalf St.
Maxwell, IA 50161
(515) 387-1115
Grades: 7-12
| 194 students
Rank: #2121.
Colo-nesco Elementary School
Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
407 N Center
Zearing, IA 50278
(641) 487-7411
Grades: PK-4
| 159 students
Rank: #2222.
Meeker Elementary School
Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
300 20th Street
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3770
Grades: K-5
| 371 students
Rank: #2323.
Sawyer Elementary School
Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4316 Ontario St
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3790
Grades: K-5
| 360 students
Rank: n/an/a
105 E Main St
Slater, IA 50244
(515) 228-3890
Grades: PK-2
| 471 students
Rank: n/an/a
109 Rothmoor
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3744
Grades: PK-2
| 369 students
Rank: n/an/a
Northwood Pre-school
3012 Duff Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 268-2470
Grades: PK-K
| 326 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Story County, IA

Story County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
400 Latrobe
Mc Callsburg, IA 50154
(515) 434-2302
Grades: PK-K
| 26 students
919 West St, 919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2284
Grades: 5-6
| 66 students
400 Latrobe
Mc Callsburg, IA 50154
(515) 434-2302
Grades: PK-2
| 53 students
919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Grades: PK-2
| 70 students
415 Stanton Ave
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3755
Grades: K
| 38 students
601 28th St
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3780
Grades: K-6
| 225 students
921 9th St
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3785
Grades: K-6
| 273 students
1921 Ames High Dr
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0635
Grades: 9-12
| 16 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Story County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Story County, IA include Gilbert High School, Gilbert Middle School and Gilbert Intermediate School. Story County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Iowa.
How many public schools are located in Story County, IA?
26 public schools are located in Story County, IA.
What percentage of students in Story County, IA go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Story County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Story County, IA?
Story County, IA public schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).

Recent Articles

Back to School: Getting Up to Date with Required Vaccinations
Back to School: Getting Up to Date with Required Vaccinations
Stay up to date on the current requirements for vaccinations for school-age children today, as well as some of the problems schools face when parents do not properly immunize their kids.
Teaching in Contemporary Times
Teaching in Contemporary Times
We explore why individuals choose teaching, illuminating intrinsic motivations, the influence of role models, the pursuit of lifelong learning, and the aspiration to impact society.
Public Schools in a Minute
January 27, 2024
Public Schools in a Minute
Explore the diverse world of public schools in a minute! Our brief overview provides a snapshot of the educational landscape, school districts, curriculum, and more. Get a quick glance at the big picture of K-12 education.