Ames High School is the lone high school in Ames, Iowa. A four-year public school, Ames High School prepares students for their post-secondary transition by providing rigorous instruction, fine arts, athletics, extracurricular clubs and activities. A small city school, Ames High School is home to a population that comprises 28 percent minority students and 24 percent economically disadvantaged students.

In addition to a traditional set of diploma requirements, Ames High School offers nine Advanced Placement courses. Reportedly, 85 percent of students taking the AP exam qualify with a score of three or higher.

Under the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act (PSEO), juniors and seniors at Ames High School can take up to 23 credits of college courses during each semester of the regular school year while attending high school. Commonly, students take courses at Iowa State University or from the Ankeny or Boone campuses of Des Moines Area Community College.