Below Average
#1204 of 1,280 schools in IA
Based on limited data
Northwood Pre-school
Elementary School · Ames Comm School District
3012 Duff Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
249
Student-Teacher
24.9:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
249
Student-Teacher
24.9:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ames
#8 of 8
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#620 of 662
In district
#8 of 8
Ames Comm School District
About Northwood Pre-school
Northwood Pre-School is a public elementary school located in Ames, Iowa, on the small city's Duff Avenue. Serving pre-kindergarten through kindergarten students, Northwood has an enrollment of 249 students and a student-teacher ratio of 24.9:1, with 10 full-time equivalent teachers. While specific test score data is not available, the school aims to support its young learners in various ways beyond standardized testing.
Northwood Pre-School places strong emphasis on fostering early learning skills and nurturing each child’s development during these formative years. With a supportive community setting, it offers an engaging environment for students to explore and grow at their own pace. Located in the heart of Ames, Northwood Pre-School is situated in a small city that provides a close-knit community atmosphere, making it easy for families to connect with other parents and school staff.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Northwood Pre-school is 24.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Northwood Pre-school Compares
See how Northwood Pre-school performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
3012 Duff Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwood Pre-school may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edwards Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sawyer Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meeker Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ames, see our Ames schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Fellows Elementary School Ames | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Ames High School Ames | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Gilbert High School Gilbert | 3.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Gilbert Middle School Gilbert | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert | 4.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Sawyer Elementary School Ames | 3.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert | 4.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Ames | 4.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Ames Middle School Ames | 3.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Edwards Elementary School Ames | 4.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Roland-Story High School Story City | 9.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Roland-Story Elementary School Story City | 9.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Ballard High School Huxley | 10.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Ballard Middle School Huxley | 10.6 mi | 7.0 |
| United Community School Boone | 8.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Roland-Story Middle School Roland | 10.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Ballard East Elementary Cambridge | 11.0 mi | 5.4 |
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 Northwood Pre-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 |
|---|---|
| Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 4.0 |
| Grant Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.0 |
| Hoover Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 4.0 |
| Monroe Elementary School Monroe, IA | 4.0 |
| Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona, IA | 4.1 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer, IA | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwood Pre-school
What grades does Northwood Pre-school serve?
Northwood Pre-school serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.
How many students attend Northwood Pre-school?
Northwood Pre-school has an enrollment of approximately 249 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood Pre-school?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwood Pre-school is 24.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwood Pre-school rank in IA?
Northwood Pre-school is ranked #1204 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Northwood Pre-school's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwood Pre-school has a composite rating of 4.0 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.
Is Northwood Pre-school a charter school?
No, Northwood Pre-school is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwood Pre-school a Title I school?
No, Northwood Pre-school is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwood Pre-school?
37.8% of students at Northwood Pre-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
- City Safety
- High (1,657/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ames). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – Kindergarten
- Enrollment
- 249
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Story County
- Phone
- (515) 268-2470
- 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
- #8 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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