Excellent
#100 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 8% in state
Sawyer Elementary School
Elementary School · Ames Comm School District
4316 Ontario St, Ames, IA 50010
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ames
#2 of 8
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#80 of 662
In district
#2 of 8
Ames Comm School District
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Sawyer Elementary School
Sawyer Elementary School is a vibrant public school in Ames, Iowa, nestled within Story County. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, Sawyer Elementary offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 375 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 30 full-time equivalent educators who work tirelessly to support each child's academic journey.
Sawyer Elementary School holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10, placing it at the 79th percentile among Iowa’s 1288 elementary schools. Students demonstrate strong performance in ELA/Reading and Math with 69% proficiency or above in both subjects, while science scores stand at an impressive 73%. Although Sawyer Elementary has room for academic growth, its commitment to student development shines through.
Sawyer Elementary School is situated in a small city setting, providing students with a close-knit community feel. The school’s location offers easy access for families and fosters a supportive neighborhood atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
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Sawyer Elementary School — Students at Sawyer Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.2%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.9/10.
How Sawyer Elementary School Compares
See how Sawyer Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
4316 Ontario St, Ames, IA 50010
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sawyer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edwards Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Meeker Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ames, see our Ames schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Edwards Elementary School Ames | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Ames Middle School Ames | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Ames High School Ames | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Fellows Elementary School Ames | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames | 3.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert | 5.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Gilbert High School Gilbert | 5.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert | 5.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Gilbert Middle School Gilbert | 5.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Ames | 5.0 mi | 6.7 |
| United Community School Boone | 5.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Ballard High School Huxley | 9.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Ballard West Elementary Slater | 10.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Ballard Middle School Huxley | 10.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Roland-Story High School Story City | 11.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Roland-Story Elementary School Story City | 11.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Ballard East Elementary Cambridge | 11.5 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 Sawyer 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 |
|---|---|
| Akron Westfield Elementary School Akron, IA | 8.0 |
| Danville Elementary School Danville, IA | 8.0 |
| Earlham Elementary School Earlham, IA | 8.0 |
| East Buchanan Elementary School Winthrop, IA | 8.0 |
| East Sac County Elementary Sac City, IA | 8.0 |
| Edison Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sawyer Elementary School
What grades does Sawyer Elementary School serve?
Sawyer Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Sawyer Elementary School?
Sawyer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sawyer Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sawyer Elementary School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sawyer Elementary School rank in IA?
Sawyer Elementary School is ranked #100 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Sawyer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sawyer Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.0 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.
What are the test scores at Sawyer Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sawyer Elementary School has 68.6% math proficiency and 68.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sawyer Elementary School a charter school?
No, Sawyer Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sawyer Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Sawyer Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sawyer Elementary School?
35.2% of students at Sawyer 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ames). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 375
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Story County
- Phone
- (515) 239-3790
- 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
- #2 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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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