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Average

#71 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 45% of private schools

Ames Christian School

Elementary School

925 S 16TH ST, Ames, IA 50010

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

58

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Ames

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#47 of 103

About Ames Christian School

Ames Christian School serves 58 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade on South 16th Street in Ames, Iowa. This elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1 with six full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where each child can receive individualized attention. The school has earned a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 91st among Iowa's 157 elementary schools, placing it in the 43rd percentile statewide.

This performance reflects steady academic standing within the state's educational landscape. Ames Christian School draws families from a well-educated community where 59% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood in the 50010 ZIP code has a median household income of $64,573 and median home value of $235,700, though the area does experience an 18.6% poverty rate, indicating economic diversity among local families.

The school's small size of fewer than 60 students fosters a close-knit school community where staff can develop strong relationships with students and families. Located in the small city of Ames, home to over 33,000 residents, the school benefits from a stable community environment that values education and family-oriented living.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 58 students, Ames Christian School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Ames Christian School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Ames Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$10,970
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$12,082
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.10x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
68%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.1M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 58 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Ames Christian School compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Ames, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
This School
vs
14.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
58
This School
vs
468
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.5
This School
vs
6.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 84.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 5.2% vs 0%
Asian 1.7% vs 0%
Ames Christian School Ames Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Ames Christian School (this school) 6.5
Mitchell Elementary School 6.7
Meeker Elementary School 7.4
Fellows Elementary School 7.1
Ames Middle School 6.3
Northwood Pre-School 4.0
Edwards Elementary School 8.3
Sawyer Elementary School 8.0

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,225
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 28%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 58
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IA

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 100.0%
School
State
75.0%
ELA Proficiency 100.0%
School
State
77.0%

Based on 2 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 84.5%
Two or More 8.6%
Hispanic 5.2%
Asian 1.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

925 S 16TH ST, Ames, IA 50010

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ames Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Central Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Nevada), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edwards Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sawyer Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ames, see our Ames schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Mitchell Elementary School Ames 1.8 mi 6.7
Ames High School Ames 2.2 mi 5.9
Meeker Elementary School Ames 2.2 mi 7.4
Fellows Elementary School Ames 2.4 mi 7.1
ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames 2.9 mi 7.2
Northwood Pre-School Ames 2.9 mi 4.0
Ames Middle School Ames 2.4 mi 6.3
Sawyer Elementary School Ames 3.2 mi 8.0
Edwards Elementary School Ames 3.2 mi 8.3
Gilbert High School Gilbert 6.6 mi 6.2
Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert 6.7 mi 4.6
Gilbert Middle School Gilbert 6.9 mi 6.3
Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert 6.9 mi 4.4
Ballard High School Huxley 7.5 mi 5.6
Ballard Middle School Huxley 7.7 mi 7.0
Ballard East Elementary Cambridge 8.5 mi 5.4
Ballard West Elementary Slater 9.1 mi 6.3
United Community School Boone 7.8 mi 6.9
Central Elementary School Nevada 9.1 mi 9.0
Roland-Story High School Story City 12.5 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50010 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,701

Median Home Value

$243,200

Median Rent

$981/mo

Population

33,428

College Educated

59.1%

Homeownership

54.1%

Avg Commute

16.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.9%

Median Age

29.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ames Christian School has a median household income of $65,701. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,200, with a median rent of $981/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 6.5
ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL Webster City, IA 6.5
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denison, IA 6.5
DANBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Danbury, IA 6.4
Diagonal Elementary School Diagonal, IA 6.4
NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ames Christian School

What grades does Ames Christian School serve?

Ames Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Ames Christian School?

Ames Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 58 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ames Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ames Christian School is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Ames Christian School rank in IA?

Ames Christian School is ranked #71 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Ames Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ames Christian School has a composite rating of 6.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ames Christian School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ames Christian School has 100.0% math proficiency and 100.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ames Christian School a private school?

Yes, Ames Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Other Religious affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Ames Christian School a religious school?

Ames Christian School has a Other Religious religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,657/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ames). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
58
Gender Split
53% M / 47% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Other Religious
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Small City
County
STORY
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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