Western Dubuque Community School District

The Western Dubuque Community School District is home to 8 schools, including 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools, serving students from preschool through 12th grade. The district is known for its strong academic performance, with several schools consistently ranking among the top in the state.

Two high schools in the district stand out for their exceptional performance. Western Dubuque High School ranks 29th out of 338 high schools in Iowa and earns a 5-star rating, with impressive test scores in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Similarly, Cascade Junior-Senior High School ranks 24th in the state and also earns a 5-star rating, with high proficiency rates in core subjects. At the elementary level, Peosta Elementary School stands out, ranking 112th out of 557 Iowa elementary schools and earning a 4-star rating, with exceptional Mathematics test scores.

The district's schools generally perform above the state averages in test scores, with several schools and grade levels achieving over 80% proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics. However, the free/reduced lunch rates vary significantly across the schools, from 11.05% at Peosta Elementary to 39.52% at Dyersville Elementary, suggesting potential socioeconomic disparities within the district. The district's relatively high spending per student and low student-teacher ratios indicate a focus on providing ample resources and personalized attention to students, which may contribute to the strong academic performance observed across the district.