Zzzz
Ames, IA 50014

Pros: Safe environment; strong sense of belonging and community; small enough for staff to pay close attention to individual students and their needs; availability of 'specials' like PE, art, computers, and music beginning in preschool; separation of younger and older elementary students in two wings of the building promotes an overall tranquility, with interaction between the age groups for activities like "reading buddies"; dedicated and involved principal who knows the students, families, and teachers well, is open and responsive to feedback, and works tirelessly to serve the school and its students; active PTA with a generally involved parent body; affordable and convenient before/after & summer childcare that includes some of the daytime staff with which young students are already familiar. Cons: Although the property includes a prairie and wooded area, free play is restricted to artificial structures with gravel and concrete which seems like a missed opportunity to me; school utilizes multiple reward systems per grade (often including candy and food treats); teacher quality can vary, but performance is monitored closely with guidance where needed.

Going to AHS was the best decision I could have made. My family open enrolls from the Gilbert school district to attend better schools and I have had an amazing experience. The opportunities are vast, and there are countless ways to get involved. People do not have a hard time finding friends and it is possible to do so many different things. For example, band kids can also be sports stars and your interests do not define you at Ames High. Compared to other schools, bullying is not a problem at AHS and everyone has friends. Compared to some of the stories I’ve heard from friends who go to Gilbert, where many students have a hard time fitting in Ames, they will decide to come to Ames and have an excellent experience. I would recommend AHS to anyone, whether they live in the Ames district or not.

I attended AMS from 2019-22. It was an excellent experience. The teachers care and the opportunities are superior to other schools in Iowa. I felt well prepared for high school and made great friendships. The school building is nice and the administration is great. Recently, my sister went through AMS and had an amazing 3 years getting involved with band and choir. The band program at AMS is the best in the state, winning major awards and having countless students selected for top placement in honor bands.