For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 2,993 students in Story County, IA. The top-ranked public middle schools in Story County, IA are Gilbert Middle School, Roland-story Middle School and Ballard Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Story County, IA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 77% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 78% (versus the 71% statewide average). Middle schools in Story County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Iowa public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public middle school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Story County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gilbert Middle School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
201 E. Mathews
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-0540
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-0540
Gr: 6-8 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Roland-story Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
206 S Main St
Roland, IA 50236
(515) 388-4348
Roland, IA 50236
(515) 388-4348
Gr: 5-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Ballard Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
509 N Main Ave
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2815
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2815
Gr: 6-8 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Nevada Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1035 15th St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2751
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2751
Gr: 5-8 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #55.
Colo-nesco Middle/high School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Gr: 5-12 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Ames Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3915 Mortensen Road
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 268-2400
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 268-2400
Gr: 6-8 | 1,033 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #77.
Collins-maxwell Middle/high School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 Metcalf St.
Maxwell, IA 50161
(515) 387-1115
Maxwell, IA 50161
(515) 387-1115
Gr: 6-12 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Story County, IA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Story County, IA include Gilbert Middle School, Roland-story Middle School and Ballard Middle School. Story County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Iowa.
How many public middle schools are located in Story County?
7 public middle schools are located in Story County.
What is the racial composition of students in Story County?
Story County public middle schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public middle schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Story County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Story County include: Gilbert Middle School vs. Ames Middle School, Ames Middle School vs. Gilbert Middle School, Collins-maxwell Middle/high School vs. Colo-nesco Middle/high School
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