Average
#657 of 1,280 schools in IA
Ames Middle School
Middle School · Ames Comm School District
3915 Mortensen Road, Ames, IA 50014
Enrollment
1,032
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,032
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ames
#6 of 8
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#148 of 248
In district
#6 of 8
Ames Comm School District
About Ames Middle School
Ames Middle School serves 1,032 students in grades 6-8 at 3915 Mortensen Road in Ames, Iowa. With 68 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. Academically, Ames Middle School shows solid performance in core subjects, with 72% of students achieving proficiency or above in math and 69% in English language arts and reading.
The school ranks #654 out of 1,288 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 49th percentile among Iowa schools, with room for continued academic growth and development. The school draws from a diverse community in the 50014 ZIP code area, where 67% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting strong educational values. The neighborhood shows economic diversity, with a median household income of $54,291 and home values averaging $288,900, though the area also faces some economic challenges with a 31.1% poverty rate among its 31,376 residents.
Located in a rural area near town, Ames Middle School benefits from the quieter setting while remaining connected to the broader Ames community and its educational resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ames Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ames Middle School — Students at Ames Middle School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 6.7/10.
How Ames Middle School Compares
See how Ames Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 69% (2022).
Location
3915 Mortensen Road, Ames, IA 50014
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ames Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ballard Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Huxley), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Gilbert Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Gilbert), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ames, see our Ames schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Edwards Elementary School Ames | 0.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Sawyer Elementary School Ames | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Ames High School Ames | 2.7 mi | 5.9 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Fellows Elementary School Ames | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames | 3.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames | 3.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames | 3.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Ames | 3.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert | 6.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Gilbert High School Gilbert | 6.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert | 6.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Gilbert Middle School Gilbert | 6.8 mi | 6.3 |
| United Community School Boone | 5.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Ballard High School Huxley | 8.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Ballard West Elementary Slater | 9.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Ballard Middle School Huxley | 8.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Ballard East Elementary Cambridge | 10.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Roland-Story High School Story City | 12.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Madrid High School Madrid | 11.6 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50014 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,372
Median Home Value
$312,700
Median Rent
$1,083/mo
Population
31,429
College Educated
68.6%
Homeownership
36.9%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
29.7%
Median Age
23.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ames Middle School has a median household income of $57,372. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $312,700, with a median rent of $1,083/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Clear Creek Amana Middle School Tiffin, IA | 6.3 |
| Indianola Middle School Indianola, IA | 6.3 |
| Harding Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.4 |
| Boulder Peak Intermediate School Marion, IA | 6.5 |
| Clinton Middle School Clinton, IA | 6.5 |
| Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School Dubuque, IA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ames Middle School
What grades does Ames Middle School serve?
Ames Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ames Middle School?
Ames Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,032 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ames Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ames Middle School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ames Middle School rank in IA?
Ames Middle School is ranked #657 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ames Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ames Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ames Middle School has 75.5% math proficiency and 75.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ames Middle School a charter school?
No, Ames Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ames Middle School a Title I school?
No, Ames Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ames Middle School?
32.8% of students at Ames Middle 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,032
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Story County
- Phone
- (515) 268-2400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ames Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 4,735
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,372
- District Rank
- #6 of 8
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
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