Academic Information

Ames High School is well known in Iowa and the nation. It is fully accredited by the Iowa Department of Education.

The school is on a semi-block schedule with students attending each class for over 3.5 hours per week. Students are encouraged to take five or six academic classes per semester, with physical education being required. Instrumental and vocal music programs meet during the school day and are compatible with a student’s curriculum choices.

Grade Point Computation

Grade point average is based on cumulative grade point averages for grades 9-12. Marks for all subjects where a letter grade is given are used in computing the cumulative GPA each semester. There is no “weighting” of grades.

The following grading scale is used:

  • A = 4 quality points
  • B = 3 quality points
  • C = 2 quality points
  • D = 1 quality point
  • F = 0 quality points

4.0 is the highest achievable GPA. Ames High is recognized as an academically competitive environment with many high achieving students. Our data indicates approximately 10% of Ames High students score in the top 1% on the ITED and PLAN, and nearly 40% of our students score in the top 10% on these same standardized exams. Of the 387 students in the class of 2022, 14 were named national merit finalist, semifinalist, or commended scholar. Therefore, Ames High School does not determine class rank. If additional information is needed about a student’s high school record while still a student, contact your Guidance Counselor. If you have graduated, contact the Ames High Registrar.

Advanced Placement, Honors, and Concurrent Enrollment Courses

Advanced Placement courses are offered in Calculus AB, Physics, Chemistry, U.S. History, European History, U.S. Government, Biology, Literature/Composition, Language/ Composition and Psychology.

Honors courses are in World Studies. An Extended Learning Program is available for talented and gifted students. ELP offers differentiation opportunities that enhance the learning of all students.

Last year students took a total of 70 classes at Iowa State University and another 649 through dual enrollment classes at Ames High School online and the Story County Consortium Career Academy. View the current list of DMACC courses available for students.

What is the difference between concurrent enrollment and PSEO?

Concurrent enrollment is contracted with a community college and is available to students grades 9 through 12 who meet proficiency eligibility requirements. These courses are available either on the high school campus, community college campus, or online. PSEO is available for grades 11/12 and ELP students in grades 9 and 10 who meet proficiency requirements. Courses are held on a college campus or online.

Other Important Information

Alternative Credits 

High School Correspondence and Online Courses 

● Students must obtain prior administrative approval before taking any correspondence course or a class via the internet for Ames High credit. 

College Credit Courses 

1. The student must obtain prior administrative approval before taking any college credit course. 

2. An Ames High student who fails to obtain prior administrative approval before taking any college credit course will not have that course appear on their Ames High transcript. 

3. Ames High will be in full compliance with the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Act of the Iowa Department of Education. 

4. A course must carry the equivalent of three (3) semester hours or more of college credit to receive one (1) high school credit 

Interim Grade Reports 

Teachers post grades every three weeks. Students and parents can see their grades by going to the Infinite Campus Portal here. 

Class Rank 

Ames High School does not report class rank. 4.0 is the highest achievable GPA. Therefore, students who have a GPA of 4.0 may report that they rank first or are tied for first in their class. 

Honor Roll 

Three honor rolls are prepared at the end of each semester. Students earn their place on one of the three honor rolls by having a current semester grade point average of at least 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0. 

Incomplete, Temporary Grade

Any semester grade of “incomplete” will be converted to a grade of “F” two weeks after the end of the semester unless there are authorized extenuating circumstances or the teacher notifies the Registrar’s office of a different grade. 

Repeating a Class 

AHS will record both grades on the transcript but compute only the most recent grade in the GPA whenever a class is repeated. Credit will only be awarded once toward graduation requirements. 

Withdrawal from a Class 

A student may drop a class up to 15 school days into the semester without penalty, if the student still has enough classes to be a full-time student. If a student drops after the 15th school day of the semester or drops below full-time status, the student will receive an “F” for the course. The “F” will appear on the transcript and the student will be ineligible for 30 calendar days for athletic, music, or speech activities during the next semester. 

“Graduate with Distinction” Criteria

3.80 cumulative GPA at the end of the first semester of the student’s senior year. 

Grades From Another Country

Students going to school in another country will receive a transcript transfer grade.