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Average

#503 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 39% in state

Mitchell Elementary School

Elementary School · Ames Comm School District

3521 Jewel Dr, Ames, IA 50010

Enrollment

296

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ames

#5 of 8

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#307 of 662

In district

#5 of 8

Ames Comm School District

Equity

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Mitchell Elementary School

Mitchell Elementary School serves 296 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Ames, Iowa, offering a solid educational foundation with a favorable 12.9-to-1 student-teacher ratio supported by 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition as a strong performer, ranking #175 out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Iowa schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. Academically, Mitchell Elementary demonstrates consistent achievement with 70% of students performing at proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels.

This balanced performance reflects the school's commitment to core academic skills development during these crucial elementary years. The school draws from a well-educated community where 59% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with a median household income of $64,573 and median home values around $235,700. While the neighborhood maintains an 18.6% poverty rate, the strong educational background of families contributes to a supportive learning environment.

Located on Jewel Drive in this college town setting, Mitchell Elementary benefits from Ames' emphasis on education and community engagement, providing students with a stable, academically-focused environment in one of Iowa's most education-minded communities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,740

Mitchell Elementary School — Students at Mitchell Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.7%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 70.6%
School
State
72.3%

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
72%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
69%
ELA
70.9%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Mitchell Elementary School Compares

See how Mitchell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
61th percentile in IA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

3521 Jewel Dr, Ames, IA 50010

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mitchell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Central Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Nevada), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edwards Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sawyer Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ames, see our Ames schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.6 mi
School Distance Rating
AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames 1.8 mi 6.5
Meeker Elementary School Ames 3.5 mi 7.4
Fellows Elementary School Ames 3.9 mi 7.1
Ames High School Ames 3.8 mi 5.9
Northwood Pre-School Ames 4.3 mi 4.0
ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames 4.4 mi 7.2
Ames Middle School Ames 3.9 mi 6.3
Sawyer Elementary School Ames 5.0 mi 8.0
Edwards Elementary School Ames 4.7 mi 8.3
Ballard High School Huxley 6.2 mi 5.6
Ballard Middle School Huxley 6.4 mi 7.0
Ballard East Elementary Cambridge 6.8 mi 5.4
Gilbert High School Gilbert 8.1 mi 6.2
Gilbert Middle School Gilbert 8.3 mi 6.3
Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert 8.2 mi 4.6
Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert 8.4 mi 4.4
Ballard West Elementary Slater 8.4 mi 6.3
Central Elementary School Nevada 8.1 mi 9.0
Nevada High School Nevada 8.6 mi 3.8
Nevada Middle School Nevada 8.6 mi 8.2

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 Mitchell Elementary 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
AHSTW Primary School Avoca, IA 6.7
Carpenter Elementary School Monticello, IA 6.7
Centennial Elementary Altoona, IA 6.7
George-Little Rock Elementary School Little Rock, IA 6.7
HOLY TRINITY Des Moines, IA 6.7
Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines, IA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mitchell Elementary School

What grades does Mitchell Elementary School serve?

Mitchell Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Mitchell Elementary School?

Mitchell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 296 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mitchell Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mitchell Elementary School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mitchell Elementary School rank in IA?

Mitchell Elementary School is ranked #503 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Mitchell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mitchell Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Mitchell Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mitchell Elementary School has 69.7% math proficiency and 70.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mitchell Elementary School a charter school?

No, Mitchell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mitchell Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Mitchell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mitchell Elementary School?

50.7% of students at Mitchell Elementary 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

City Safety
High (1,657/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
296
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
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
#5 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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