Best Schools in Ames, Iowa
10 schools · 8 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Ames?
Use this page to compare every school in Ames by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
St Cecilia Elementary School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ames Christian School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Fellows Elementary School
Elementary · Ames Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Ames for 2026 are St Cecilia Elementary School (7.2/10), Ames Christian School (6.5/10), and Fellows Elementary School (6.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$277,950
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$277,950
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Ames
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Cecilia Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Ames Christian School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Fellows Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Mitchell Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Edwards Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Ames Middle School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Meeker Elementary School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Sawyer Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Ames High School | 5.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $61,537
- Median home value
- $277,950
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 64%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 46%
10% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ames compares
Iowa rank
#132 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$62k
81% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Ames, Iowa
Ames, Iowa is home to 10 schools, including 8 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in Ames show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Ames is St Cecilia Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Ames is served by 1 school district: Ames Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 4,735 students.
Ames's community shows 64% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $61,537. The poverty rate in the area is 23.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 518 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 2 | 296 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 439 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.2 | ||
| 4 | 365 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.6 | ||
| 5 | 375 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 6 | 249 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 4.3 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Cecilia Elementary School
Private
140 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | Ames Christian School
Private
58 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.5 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,032 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,427 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
Schools in Ames
Ames, Iowa · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$61,537
Median Home Value
$277,950
Median Rent
$1,032/mo
Population
64,857
College Educated
64%
Homeownership
46%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
23.8%
Community Profile
Ames has a median household income of $61,537. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $277,950, with a median rent of $1,032/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 8
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Ames, Iowa
How many schools are in Ames, Iowa?
Ames has 10 schools, including 8 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ames, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ames is 5.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Ames, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Ames on MySchoolScout is St Cecilia Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ames, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ames on MySchoolScout is St Cecilia Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Ames, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Ames on MySchoolScout is Ames Middle School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best high school in Ames, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Ames on MySchoolScout is Ames High School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
How many school districts serve Ames, Iowa?
Ames is served by 1 school district: Ames Comm School District.
What is the education level in Ames, Iowa?
According to Census data, 64% of adults in Ames have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ames, Iowa?
The median household income in Ames is approximately $61,537 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ames, Iowa?
Yes, Ames has 2 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Cecilia Elementary School with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ames, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ames is 14.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ames, Iowa?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.