Average
#940 of 1,280 schools in IA
Ames High School
High School · Ames Comm School District
1801 Ridgewood Drive, Ames, IA 50010
Enrollment
1,427
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,427
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#940 of 1,280
In Ames
#7 of 8
public schools
In district
#7 of 8
Ames Comm School District
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Ames High School
High School in Ames · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Fellows Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Cecilia Elementary School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ames High School
Ames High School is a public high school in Ames, IA, part of Ames Comm School District. Ames High School serves approximately 1,427 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Ames High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #940 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Ames High School show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
42% of students at Ames High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Ames High School — Students at Ames High School score 75% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.1/10.
How Ames High School Compares
See how Ames High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1801 Ridgewood Drive, Ames, IA 50010
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ames High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gilbert High School (rated 7.1/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Gilbert), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ballard High School (rated 6.7/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Huxley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Roland-Story High School (rated 6.3/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Story City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ames, see our Ames schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fellows Elementary School Ames | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Sawyer Elementary School Ames | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Ames Middle School Ames | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Edwards Elementary School Ames | 3.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Ames | 3.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Gilbert High School Gilbert | 4.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert | 4.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert | 4.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Gilbert Middle School Gilbert | 4.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Ballard High School Huxley | 9.7 mi | 6.7 |
| United Community School Boone | 7.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Ballard Middle School Huxley | 9.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Roland-Story High School Story City | 10.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Roland-Story Elementary School Story City | 10.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Ballard West Elementary Slater | 11.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Ballard East Elementary Cambridge | 10.7 mi | 8.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines, IA | 5.2 |
| Dallas Center-Grimes High School Grimes, IA | 5.2 |
| Indianola High School Indianola, IA | 5.3 |
| Dubuque Senior High School Dubuque, IA | 5.1 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny, IA | 5.5 |
| North Scott High School Eldridge, IA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ames High School
What grades does Ames High School serve?
Ames High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Ames High School?
Ames High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,427 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ames High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ames High School is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ames High School rank in IA?
Ames High School ranks #940 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ames High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ames High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ames High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ames High School has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Ames High School a charter school?
No, Ames High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ames High School a Title I school?
No, Ames High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ames High School?
30.3% of students at Ames High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,427
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 82
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Story County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.9%
- Phone
- (515) 817-0600
- 4-Year Graduation
- 97.0%
Resources & Links
District
Ames Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 4,735
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,372
- District Rank
- #7 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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