For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 2,993 students in Story County, IA. The top ranked public middle schools in Story County, IA are Gilbert Middle School, Roland-story Middle School and Ballard Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Story County, IA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 77% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 78% (versus the 71% statewide average). Middle schools in Story County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Iowa public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public middle school average of 25% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Story County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gilbert Middle School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
201 E. Mathews
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-0540
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-0540
Gr: 6-8 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
Roland-story Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
206 S Main St
Roland, IA 50236
(515) 388-4348
Roland, IA 50236
(515) 388-4348
Gr: 5-8 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Ballard Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
509 N Main Ave
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2815
Huxley, IA 50124
(515) 597-2815
Gr: 6-8 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
Nevada Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1035 15th St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2751
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-2751
Gr: 5-8 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #55.
Colo-nesco Middle/high School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Gr: 5-12 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Ames Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3915 Mortensen Road
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 268-2400
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 268-2400
Gr: 6-8 | 1,032 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
Collins-maxwell Middle/high School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 Metcalf St.
Maxwell, IA 50161
(515) 387-1115
Maxwell, IA 50161
(515) 387-1115
Gr: 6-12 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Story County 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
400 Latrobe
Mc Callsburg, IA 50154
(515) 434-2302
Mc Callsburg, IA 50154
(515) 434-2302
Gr: PK-K | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
919 West St, 919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2284
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2284
Gr: 5-6 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
400 Latrobe
Mc Callsburg, IA 50154
(515) 434-2302
Mc Callsburg, IA 50154
(515) 434-2302
Gr: PK-2 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
919 West St
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Colo, IA 50056
(641) 377-2282
Gr: PK-2 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
415 Stanton Ave
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3755
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3755
Gr: K | 38 students Minority enrollment: 26%
601 28th St
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3780
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3780
Gr: K-6 | 225 students Minority enrollment: 32%
921 9th St
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3785
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-3785
Gr: K-6 | 273 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Xcel High School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1921 Ames High Dr
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0635
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0635
Gr: 9-12 | 16 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Story County, IA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Story County, IA include Gilbert Middle School, Roland-story Middle School and Ballard Middle School. Story County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Iowa.
How many public middle schools are located in Story County?
7 public middle schools are located in Story County.
What is the racial composition of students in Story County?
Story County public middle schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public middle schools average of 25% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Story County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Story County include: Gilbert Middle School vs. Ames Middle School, Ames Middle School vs. Gilbert Middle School, Collins-maxwell Middle/high School vs. Colo-nesco Middle/high School
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