For the 2025 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 11,706 students in Story County, IA (there are 3 private schools, serving 252 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Story County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%). Story County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Iowa.
The top ranked public schools in Story County, IA are Gilbert High School, Gilbert Intermediate School and Gilbert Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Story County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 76% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Story County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Story County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Gilbert High School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
312 Gretten
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Grades: 9-12
| 528 students
Rank: #22.
Gilbert Intermediate School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
103 Mathews Dr
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3748
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3748
Grades: 3-5
| 358 students
Rank: #33.
Gilbert Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 91% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
109 Rothmoor
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3744
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3744
Grades: PK-2
| 408 students
Rank: #44.
Gilbert Middle School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
201 E. Mathews
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-0540
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-0540
Grades: 6-8
| 404 students
Rank: #55.
Roland-story Middle School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
206 S Main St
Roland, IA 50236
(515) 388-4348
Roland, IA 50236
(515) 388-4348
Grades: 5-8
| 300 students
Rank: #66.
Roland-story Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
900 Hillcrest Dr
Story City, IA 50248
(515) 733-4386
Story City, IA 50248
(515) 733-4386
Grades: PK-4
| 464 students
Rank: #77.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
925 H Ave
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2383
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2383
Grades: PK-4
| 646 students
Rank: #88.
Fellows Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1235 20th St.
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3765
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3765
Grades: K-5
| 518 students
Rank: #99.
Ballard Middle School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
509 N Main Ave
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2815
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2815
Grades: 6-8
| 409 students
Rank: #1010.
Roland-story High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1009 Story St
Story City, IA 50248
(515) 733-4329
Story City, IA 50248
(515) 733-4329
Grades: 9-12
| 344 students
Rank: #1111.
Ballard High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
701 Ballard Drive
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2971
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2971
Grades: 9-12
| 553 students
Rank: #1212.
Edwards Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
820 Miller Ave
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 239-3760
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 239-3760
Grades: K-5
| 439 students
Rank: #1313.
Ballard East Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
505 W 4th St
Cambridge, IA 50046
(515) 220-4306
Cambridge, IA 50046
(515) 220-4306
Grades: 3-5
| 431 students
Rank: #1414.
Nevada Middle School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1035 15th St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2751
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2751
Grades: 5-8
| 421 students
Rank: #1515.
Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3521 Jewel Dr
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3775
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3775
Grades: K-5
| 296 students
Rank: #1616.
Ames High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1801 Ridgewood Drive
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0600
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0600
Grades: 9-12
| 1,427 students
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Colo-nesco Middle/high School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Grades: 5-12
| 219 students
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Sawyer Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4316 Ontario St
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3790
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3790
Grades: K-5
| 375 students
Rank: #1919.
Ames Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3915 Mortensen Road
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 268-2400
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 268-2400
Grades: 6-8
| 1,032 students
Rank: #2020.
Colo-nesco Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
407 N Center
Zearing, IA 50278
(641) 487-7411
Zearing, IA 50278
(641) 487-7411
Grades: PK-4
| 164 students
Rank: #2121.
Nevada High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1001 15th St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-3521
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-3521
Grades: 9-12
| 503 students
Rank: #2222.
Meeker Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 20th Street
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3770
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3770
Grades: K-5
| 365 students
Rank: #2323.
Collins-maxwell Middle/high School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 Metcalf St.
Maxwell, IA 50161
(515) 387-1115
Maxwell, IA 50161
(515) 387-1115
Grades: 6-12
| 208 students
Rank: #2424.
Collins-maxwell Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
416 Fourth Avenue
Collins, IA 50055
(641) 385-2446
Collins, IA 50055
(641) 385-2446
Grades: PK-5
| 189 students
Rank: n/an/a
105 E Main St
Slater, IA 50244
(515) 228-3890
Slater, IA 50244
(515) 228-3890
Grades: PK-2
| 456 students
Rank: n/an/a
3012 Duff Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 268-2470
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 268-2470
Grades: PK-K
| 249 students
Story County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
400 Latrobe
Mc Callsburg, IA 50154
(515) 434-2302
Mc Callsburg, IA 50154
(515) 434-2302
Grades: PK-K
| 26 students
919 West St, 919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2284
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2284
Grades: 5-6
| 66 students
400 Latrobe
Mc Callsburg, IA 50154
(515) 434-2302
Mc Callsburg, IA 50154
(515) 434-2302
Grades: PK-2
| 53 students
919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Grades: PK-2
| 70 students
415 Stanton Ave
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3755
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3755
Grades: K
| 38 students
601 28th St
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3780
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3780
Grades: K-6
| 225 students
921 9th St
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3785
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3785
Grades: K-6
| 273 students
Xcel High School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1921 Ames High Dr
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0635
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0635
Grades: 9-12
| 16 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Story County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Story County, IA include Gilbert High School, Gilbert Intermediate School and Gilbert Elementary School. Story County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Iowa.
How many public schools are located in Story County?
26 public schools are located in Story County.
What percentage of students in Story County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Story County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Story County?
Story County public schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Story County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Story County include: Ames High School vs. Gilbert High School, Gilbert Middle School vs. Ames Middle School, Gilbert High School vs. Ames High School
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