My children have been in the ACSD from the very beginning. My last child is currently enrolled in…read moreAmes High School and I've become aware of current happenings that I strongly feel for. This school used to be quite a good school but since Dr. Valerie Nyberg became the principal it's gone downhill. My child has told me that she constantly is telling students to walk one way in the halls even if the CDC has said that COVID-19 cannot be spread through surfaces. This is just taking away from class time as students need to walk around the entire school rather than the fifteen feet to their other class that's "the wrong way". Another thing that I find absolutely appalling is that my child has informed me that as of this week the school has taken off the bathroom doors. Of course, this automatically stirred some concern up in me as just a violation of privacy. I sure wouldn't want anyone to see or hear me going to the bathroom, much less my child. After doing some quick research I read that it is only legal for school's the take off bathroom doors if the bathrooms are made for it; if there is a clear barrier in which one outside cannot see inside the bathroom. Unlike the elementary schools and middle school, Ames High School has bathrooms that do not corner off into a little alcove in which there are no doors. My child has provided me with pictures of the doorless bathrooms in which you can see straight into the bathroom, you can even see the feet of students using the bathrooms! Not only do I find this disgusting and a very big invading of privacy, but to top it all off my child has told me that the staff bathrooms still have doors. Although I am not completely sure on why the doors are gone, through conversations with my child, I assume that it's because Dr. Nyberg is attempting to get students to stop smoking/vaping in the bathrooms. Though I do agree with this, I know that there's little administators can do. I still remember when classmates of mine would be skipping class to smoke up the bathroom. Taking off bathrooms doors is not the correct way to handle this. God forbid Nyberg decides to take stall doors off next. All in all as a parent I think others would agree that we want what's best for our kids and Ames High School seems to be more concerned with something that's been happening since we were in school rather than our children's privacy.

I am currently in my final semester of studying Kinesiology, and this school has been nothing but…read moregreat. Campus- All together (no walking through a city)) with lots of grass and trees sprinkled throughout for a cohesive feel. Many different buildings with all sorts of architecture- some are original buildings, some are big limestone Washington DC lookin, big concrete block lookin, or all futuristic looking with huge glass fronts. Plenty of sidewalks to get you where you need to be. Maintenance of the grass and snow is pretty good. The use of sand instead of salt can be a nuisance when you come home and dump a sandbox out of your shoe. Class- I honestly enjoyed about 90% of my classes, especially because my classmates and I enjoyed what we were studying. Most professors are great and actually care about your education, always an outlier though. Don't buy or sell your books at the bookstore. Sports- Cyclones are (usually) decent in the big 12 conference, and its been a big part of my experience going to tailgates, football, waiting in the freezing cold for basketball, being on ESPN, and seeing friends compete in volleyball and gymnastics. For smaller sports, they often give out prizes or food to bring in students. Extracurriculars- I have been involved in research, college ambassadors, tutoring, student ministry (Salt Co.), club frisbee, and many intramural sports (fantastic program to take advantage of if you're not already). These alone have had a huge impact on my overall experience and getting to meet so many people! Dorms- I lived in Larch and it was pretty typical, as most are. Great to live in the dorms freshmen year to get acquainted with campus and meet lots of people. However after that I'd move out if you're looking to save any $ Overall, Ames is a ehh city with a great university. Go out and have fun at college, it will be a fun 4 years of you make the most of it!! GO CYCLONES.

Beautiful campus and warm hospitality! My daughter and I went for a college visit earlier this…read moremonth. Sign up for a campus visit online. If you have a mobility disability or any other disability, let them know and they will accommodate your needs as best as they can. They were ready to wheel me around in a wheelchair for their campus tour. The admissions representatives were organized and very excited to host prospective students and their families. They had a complimentary dining center meal to give you a taste of their on-campus boarding experience. ISU has a wide variety of housing options to fit your budget. They also have a strong House system. If you decide not to join a fraternity or a sorority, you have an active community to participate in inter-mural games and sports, to have dinner with or just hang out. We got to enjoy a bit of that with the honor's Anders House. We played board games at night and enjoyed meals with students. They love snacks and treats from parents. Academically, ISU is a fabulous STEM school school. It has many professors and opportunities for students to engage in research. It also has a fantastic Mandarin Chinese program with excellent teachers. I am proud that my eldest daughter is a Cyclone and hope my 2nd daughter seriously considers it as well.

Iowa State University Gold Star Hall, built in 1937 to honor fallen students of WWI, continues it…read morerich tradition. ISU hosts an annual event by inviting families of past students that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. This year, four families were invited to participate as the ROTC, faculty, the Gold Star Hall team, active and retired veterans honored in grand fashion the lives lost to protect our freedoms and values. Meredith Deroy Winter Schuyler Wheeler John Fuller Kennith Tapscott The level of effort into the planning, development of presentations, respect, pageantry, order and decorum were stunning. As a Gold Star family, we were humbled. This event exceeded our wildest imagination! Thank you Iowa State University, the Gold Star Hall, ROTC and all who took time out to honor those who died in combat 75 years ago. Regarding the display photo: All these photos, articles and documents (except the replacement medals) were discovered after 74 years in storage unbeknownst to anyone. Meredith's fiancé, Betty Ewing, also a student at ISU, held onto these items after his death. Betty passed away in 1984. During a recent move by her daughter, the box with all these items were discovered. May God continue to bless Iowa State University, our active duty soldiers and veterans!

The inside of the ISU Memorial Union is also pretty. I recently went up into the Hotel area,…read moreincluding the Veteran's Lounge and the big Ballroom. It's worth a stroll to more fully explore this fascinating piece of architecture.