Our History Northwood Elementary School opened its doors in the fall of 1970, with dedication services on November 8. The year of 1970 was a special one for the entire City of Ames, as the school district celebrated the 100th anniversary of Ames' first school. Dr. Lawrence Burkhart was President of the Board of Education and Dr. Walter Hetzel was Superintendent of Schools. The Northwood School was the first in the Ames district to utilize the wedge shape for its 13 classrooms.
Movable walls allow the pie-section rooms to be combined into just two large rooms.
Charles Herbert was the architect of the building. The initial enrollment in 1970 was 350 students, with two sections for each grade level. There have been six principals since Northwood opened. The school's first principal was Dr. Gaylord Tryon. Glenn Connor started as principal in the 1972-73 school year.