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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Story County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 3,782 students in Story County, IA. The top-ranked public high schools in Story County, IA are Gilbert High School, Ballard High School and Roland-story High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Story County, IA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 74% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 71% statewide average). High schools in Story County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Iowa public high schools.
Story County, IA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 92%, which is more than the Iowa average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Ballard High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public high school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High 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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Story County, IA?
The top-ranked public high schools in Story County, IA include Gilbert High School, Ballard High School and Roland-story High School. Story County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Iowa.
How many public high schools are located in Story County?
7 public high schools are located in Story County.
What is the racial composition of students in Story County?
Story County public high schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public high schools average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Story County are often viewed compared to one another?

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