Photo: Dirk · CC BY 2.0Dubuque’s public schools score below 79% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Dubuque, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.
From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Dubuque’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 64% of tested students were proficient in reading and 63% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,896 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Holy Family Catholic Schools (private), Our Lady of Guadalupe Spanish Immersion School (private), Resurrection Elementary (private), Resurrection School (private), St. Columbkille School (private) and Golden Elementary Montessori (private) are in town. Dubuque Online School, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Dubuque’s grade
C−: better than 21% of Iowa school districts, #104 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dubuque, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Dubuque · depends on your address
Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,081 students · 14:1 students per teacher
George Washington Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 584 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 402 students · 9:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Dubuque · depends on your address
Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,081 students · 14:1 students per teacher
George Washington Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 584 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 402 students · 9:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Dubuque · depends on your address
Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,081 students · 14:1 students per teacher
George Washington Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 584 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 402 students · 9:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Dubuque · depends on your address
Hempstead High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,499 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Dubuque Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,490 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Dubuque · depends on your address
Hempstead High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,499 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Dubuque Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,490 students · 11:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Dubuque · depends on your address
Hempstead High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,499 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Dubuque Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,490 students · 11:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Dubuque · depends on your address
Hempstead High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,499 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Dubuque Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,490 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Dubuque’s public schools are run by Dubuque Community School District, which also serves Asbury, Durango, Graf and Sageville and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Dubuque vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Dubuque’s borders.
All 2 neighbors share Dubuque with Dubuque, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. Dunleith, IL and Jamestown, WI border Dubuque but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.
Every school in Dubuque
24 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Dubuque’s schools
Are Dubuque’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Dubuque children attend score below 79% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #104 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 21%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dubuque in?
Dubuque Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,843 students in 19 schools (2024–25).
Where do Dubuque kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Hempstead High School and Dubuque Senior High School.
What is Dubuque’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Dubuque Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Dubuque spend per student?
$13,896 in Dubuque Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Dubuque?
Yes: Holy Family Catholic Schools (Catholic, grades PK–12, 1,846 students), Our Lady of Guadalupe Spanish Immersion School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 569 students), Resurrection Elementary (Catholic, grades PK–5, 385 students), Resurrection School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 384 students), St. Columbkille School (Catholic, grades K–5, 286 students) and Golden Elementary Montessori (nonsectarian, grades 2–5, 5 students).
Parents talk
What Dubuque families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dubuque → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.