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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.3Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,740

Ames Middle School — Students at Ames Middle School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.5%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 75.2%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
77%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
69%
2025
Math
77.7%
ELA
79.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in IA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
71 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,657/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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