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Average

#831 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

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#831 of 1,280

In Ames

#4 of 8

public schools

In district

#4 of 8

Ames Comm School District

Equity

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Ames Middle School

5.7/10

Middle School in Ames · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Edwards Elementary School

6.2/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sawyer Elementary School

5.5/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ames Middle School

Ames Middle School is a public middle school in Ames, IA, part of Ames Comm School District. Ames Middle School serves approximately 1,032 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Ames Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #831 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Ames Middle School show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below IA schools
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Ames Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77.7% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency79.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+5.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)77% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,372
Chronic Absenteeism29.9%

Ames Middle School — Students at Ames Middle School score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

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 81.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 79.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
90%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
84%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
86%
2017
Math
85%
ELA
86%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
71%
ELA
70%
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: 5.4/10.

How Ames Middle School Compares

See how Ames Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in IA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
5.4/10
Average
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.4/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Huxley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gilbert Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Gilbert), which scores notably higher. 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 6.2
Sawyer Elementary School Ames 1.5 mi 5.5
Ames High School Ames 2.7 mi 5.2
AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames 2.4 mi 6.5
Fellows Elementary School Ames 3.0 mi 6.3
ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames 3.3 mi 7.2
Meeker Elementary School Ames 3.4 mi 5.6
Northwood Pre-School Ames 3.7 mi 4.3
Mitchell Elementary School Ames 3.9 mi 6.3
Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert 6.5 mi 8.2
Gilbert High School Gilbert 6.5 mi 7.1
Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert 6.7 mi 4.6
Gilbert Middle School Gilbert 6.8 mi 8.1
United Community School Boone 5.4 mi 5.1
Ballard High School Huxley 8.3 mi 6.7
Ballard West Elementary Slater 9.0 mi 8.2
Ballard Middle School Huxley 8.6 mi 8.4
Ballard East Elementary Cambridge 10.1 mi 8.3
Roland-Story High School Story City 12.8 mi 6.3
Madrid High School Madrid 11.6 mi 5.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
B R Miller Middle School Marshalltown, IA 5.8
North Middle School Sioux City, IA 5.8
Meredith Middle School Des Moines, IA 5.5
Northwest Junior High School Coralville, IA 5.9
West Middle School Sioux City, IA 6.0
Holmes Junior High School Cedar Falls, IA 6.1

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 ranks #831 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Ames Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ames Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ames Middle School has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.9%

District

Ames Comm School District
District Enrollment
4,735
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,372
District Rank
#4 of 8

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