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
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
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Ames Christian School compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Ames, IA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
Based on 2 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (515) 233-0772
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.