Best Public Schools in Ames, IA

The Ames, Iowa school district consists of 8 schools, including 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, all part of the Ames Community School District. While the district as a whole is ranked 145 out of 313 school districts in Iowa and has an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger, there is significant variation in performance among the individual schools.

Fellows Elementary School stands out as a top performer, ranking 86th out of 576 elementary schools in Iowa and earning a 4-star rating. It boasts strong test scores, with over 80% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and Math. In contrast, other elementary schools like Edwards, Sawyer, and Mitchell struggle, with lower test scores and lower SchoolDigger ratings.

The district also faces challenges around equity and chronic absenteeism. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch varies widely, from 25.1% at Fellows Elementary to 50.68% at Mitchell Elementary, suggesting potential achievement gaps. Additionally, all schools in the district have a concerning 21.6% chronic absenteeism rate, an issue the district should address. Despite these challenges, Ames High School performs well, ranking 144th out of 340 high schools in Iowa and earning a 3-star rating, with a strong 88.3% 4-year graduation rate and solid test scores.