For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 3,782 students in Story County, IA. The top ranked public high schools in Story County, IA are Gilbert High School, Ballard High School and Roland-story High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Story County, IA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 74% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 71% statewide average). High schools in Story County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Iowa public high schools.
Story County, IA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 92%, which is more than the Iowa average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Ballard High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public high school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Story County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Gilbert High School
(Math: 91% | 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.
Ballard High School
(Math: 82% | 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: #33.
Roland-story High School
(Math: 81% | 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: #44.
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
Grades: 5-12
| 219 students
Rank: #55.
Ames High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1801 Ridgewood Drive
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0600
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 817-0600
Grades: 9-12
| 1,427 students
Rank: #66.
Nevada High School
(Math: 61% | 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: #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
Grades: 6-12
| 208 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 high schools in Story County, IA?
The top ranked public high schools in Story County, IA include Gilbert High School, Ballard High School and Roland-story High School. Story County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Iowa.
How many public high schools are located in Story County?
7 public high schools are located in Story County.
What is the racial composition of students in Story County?
Story County public high schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public high schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Story County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Story County include: Ames High School vs. Gilbert High School, Gilbert High School vs. Ames High School, Collins-maxwell Middle/high School vs. Colo-nesco Middle/high School
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