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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Story County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 11,706 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 91%). 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 78% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 70% 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 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Story County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gilbert High School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
312 Gretten
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Gr: 9-12 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Gilbert Middle School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
201 E. Mathews
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-0540
Gr: 6-8 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Gilbert Intermediate School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
103 Mathews Dr
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3748
Gr: 3-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
925 H Ave
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2383
Gr: PK-4 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Roland-story Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
206 S Main St
Roland, IA 50236
(515) 388-4348
Gr: 5-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
Roland-story Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
900 Hillcrest Dr
Story City, IA 50248
(515) 733-4386
Gr: PK-4 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #77.
Ballard Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
509 N Main Ave
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2815
Gr: 6-8 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #88.
Ballard High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
701 Ballard Drive
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2971
Gr: 9-12 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
Roland-story High School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1009 Story St
Story City, IA 50248
(515) 733-4329
Gr: 9-12 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1010.
Fellows Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1235 20th St.
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3765
Gr: K-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1111.
Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3521 Jewel Dr
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3775
Gr: K-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1212.
Ballard East Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
505 W 4th St
Cambridge, IA 50046
(515) 220-4306
Gr: 3-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1313.
Colo-nesco Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
407 N Center
Zearing, IA 50278
(641) 487-7411
Gr: PK-4 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1414.
Nevada Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1035 15th St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2751
Gr: 5-8 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1515.
Edwards Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
820 Miller Ave
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 239-3760
Gr: K-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1616.
Collins-maxwell Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
416 Fourth Avenue
Collins, IA 50055
(641) 385-2446
Gr: PK-5 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1717.
Colo-nesco Middle/high School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Gr: 5-12 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1818.
Ames High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1801 Ridgewood Drive
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,440 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1919.
Nevada High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1001 15th St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-3521
Gr: 9-12 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2020.
Meeker Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
300 20th Street
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3770
Gr: K-5 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2121.
Ames Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3915 Mortensen Road
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 268-2400
Gr: 6-8 | 1,033 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2222.
Collins-maxwell Middle/high School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Metcalf St.
Maxwell, IA 50161
(515) 387-1115
Gr: 6-12 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2323.
Sawyer Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4316 Ontario St
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3790
Gr: K-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
Ballard West Elementary School
105 E Main St
Slater, IA 50244
(515) 228-3890
Gr: PK-2 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: n/an/a
Gilbert Elementary School
109 Rothmoor
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3744
Gr: PK-2 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Northwood Pre-school
3012 Duff Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 268-2470
Gr: PK | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 42%

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?
26 public schools are located in Story County.
What percentage of students in Story County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Story County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Story County?
Story County public schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Story County are often viewed compared to one another?

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