Photo: Treymeister · Public domainMaquoketa’s public schools score below 91% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 48% of Maquoketa’s students scored proficient, below the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Maquoketa, 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 97% 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.
Maquoketa’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 61% of tested students were proficient in reading and 48% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa (the state reports Maquoketa’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,392 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Briggs Elementary School, then Maquoketa Middle School, then Maquoketa Community High School. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sacred Heart Elementary School (private) is in town. 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 Maquoketa’s grade
D: better than 9% of Iowa school districts, #121 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Maquoketa, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Maquoketa
Cardinal Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 260 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Maquoketa
Cardinal Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 260 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Maquoketa
Cardinal Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 260 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Maquoketa
Cardinal Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 260 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Maquoketa
Briggs Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 207 students · 11:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Maquoketa
Briggs Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 207 students · 11:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Maquoketa
Briggs Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 207 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Maquoketa
Maquoketa Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 315 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Maquoketa
Maquoketa Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 315 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Maquoketa
Maquoketa Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 315 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Maquoketa
Maquoketa Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 477 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Maquoketa
Maquoketa Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 477 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Maquoketa
Maquoketa Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 477 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Maquoketa
Maquoketa Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 477 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Maquoketa’s public schools are run by Maquoketa Community School District, which also serves Baldwin and Zwingle. 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
Maquoketa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Maquoketa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Maquoketa | D | Maquoketa |
Every school in Maquoketa
5 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 Maquoketa’s schools
Are Maquoketa’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Maquoketa children attend score below 91% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #121 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 9%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Maquoketa in?
Maquoketa Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,259 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do Maquoketa kids go to high school?
Maquoketa Community High School, with 477 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Maquoketa’s graduation rate?
80–84% of the class of 2023 in Maquoketa Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Maquoketa spend per student?
$14,392 in Maquoketa Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Maquoketa?
Yes: Sacred Heart Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 146 students).
Parents talk
What Maquoketa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Maquoketa → 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.