Story County Schools & Education
Story County, Iowa
School Score
70/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
95.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
95.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,393
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
70/100
Higher = better
State avg 61/100
State School Rank
#23
of 99 counties (1 = best)
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Education Overview
About Schools in Story County, Iowa
Diverse Education in a College County
Story County hosts 26 public schools across seven districts, serving a large student body of 11,679. The infrastructure is anchored by 14 elementary schools and 7 high schools. This extensive system reflects the county's role as a major educational hub in Iowa.
High Graduation Rates and Smart Spending
The county achieves a 95.2% graduation rate, significantly outperforming the state average of 92.3%. Interestingly, this high performance is maintained with a per-pupil spend of $7,393, which is below the state and national averages. A school score of 57.1 confirms that Story County schools are delivering high-quality education efficiently.
Ames Leads a Seven-District System
The Ames Community School District is the largest, managing 4,645 students across eight schools. Other major players include the Ballard and Gilbert districts, which serve nearly 3,500 students combined. No charter schools currently operate in the county, with all public students attending traditional district schools.
A True Mix of City and Rural Life
Story County offers a unique locale diversity with 10 rural schools, 8 city schools, and 6 town-based schools. While the average school size is 449, Ames High School is the largest with 1,403 students. This variety allows families to choose between large-scale urban high schools and smaller rural elementary programs.
Education-First Living in Story County
With a high graduation rate and the presence of a major university nearby, education is at the heart of Story County's identity. Homebuyers often prioritize the top-rated Ames or Gilbert districts when searching for properties. Consider these high-performing school zones as you look for your next home.
School Overview
Total Schools
26
in Story County
Total Enrollment
11,679
students
School Districts
7
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
7 School Districts in Story County
Ames Comm School District
Ballard Comm School District
Gilbert Comm School District
Nevada Comm School District
Roland-Story Comm School District
Collins-Maxwell Comm School District
Colo-NESCO Comm School District
26 Public Schools in Story County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames High School | Ames Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 1,403 |
| Ames Middle School | Ames Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 1,002 |
| Central Elementary School | Nevada Comm School District | PK–4 | Primary | 608 |
| Ballard High School | Ballard Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 545 |
| Gilbert High School | Gilbert Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 537 |
| Fellows Elementary School | Ames Comm School District | KG–5 | Primary | 528 |
| Nevada High School | Nevada Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 491 |
| Ballard West Elementary | Ballard Comm School District | PK–2 | Primary | 472 |
| Roland-Story Elementary School | Roland-Story Comm School District | PK–4 | Primary | 463 |
| Edwards Elementary School | Ames Comm School District | KG–5 | Primary | 450 |
| Nevada Middle School | Nevada Comm School District | 5–8 | Middle | 443 |
| Ballard Middle School | Ballard Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 432 |
| Ballard East Elementary | Ballard Comm School District | 3–5 | Primary | 422 |
| Gilbert Elementary School | Gilbert Comm School District | PK–2 | Primary | 410 |
| Gilbert Middle School | Gilbert Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 409 |
| Sawyer Elementary School | Ames Comm School District | KG–5 | Primary | 367 |
| Meeker Elementary School | Ames Comm School District | KG–5 | Primary | 351 |
| Roland-Story High School | Roland-Story Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 345 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School | Gilbert Comm School District | 3–5 | Primary | 341 |
| Roland-Story Middle School | Roland-Story Comm School District | 5–8 | Middle | 317 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,393
State avg $7,591
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Story County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Story County, Iowa?
Story County hosts 26 public schools across seven districts, serving a large student body of 11,679. The infrastructure is anchored by 14 elementary schools and 7 high schools. This extensive system reflects the county's role as a major educational hub in Iowa.
How do schools in Story County perform academically?
The county achieves a 95.2% graduation rate, significantly outperforming the state average of 92.3%. Interestingly, this high performance is maintained with a per-pupil spend of $7,393, which is below the state and national averages. A school score of 57.1 confirms that Story County schools are delivering high-quality education efficiently.
What are the major school districts in Story County, Iowa?
The Ames Community School District is the largest, managing 4,645 students across eight schools. Other major players include the Ballard and Gilbert districts, which serve nearly 3,500 students combined. No charter schools currently operate in the county, with all public students attending traditional district schools.
What is the school experience like in Story County?
Story County offers a unique locale diversity with 10 rural schools, 8 city schools, and 6 town-based schools. While the average school size is 449, Ames High School is the largest with 1,403 students. This variety allows families to choose between large-scale urban high schools and smaller rural elementary programs.
How can I find homes near good schools in Story County, Iowa?
With a high graduation rate and the presence of a major university nearby, education is at the heart of Story County's identity. Homebuyers often prioritize the top-rated Ames or Gilbert districts when searching for properties. Consider these high-performing school zones as you look for your next home.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.