Top Rankings
Dubuque Community School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 3,257 students in Dubuque Community School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Iowa.
Public High Schools in Dubuque Community School District have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Public High School in Dubuque Community School District have a Graduation Rate of 82%, which is less than the Iowa average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Dubuque Online School, with 85-89% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Iowa public high school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
18 Schools
365 Schools
# Students
9,970 Students
171,507 Students
# Teachers
791 Teachers
11,091 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Dubuque Community School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has decreased from 89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#262 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
63%
Graduation Rate
82%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.45
0.45
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
5%
13%
% Black
10%
6%
% White
73%
73%
% Hawaiian
4%
1%
% Two or more races
7%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,849 is higher than the state median of $16,468. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,146 is less than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$168 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$151 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,849
$16,468
Spending / Student
$15,146
$16,042
Best Dubuque Community School District Public High Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dubuque Senior High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Clarke Dr
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-5500
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,466 student Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
Hempstead High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3715 Pennsylvania Ave
Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 552-5200
Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 552-5200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,549 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: n/an/a
2300 Chaney Rd
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-3000
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-3000
Gr: 6-12 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Recent Articles
Charter Schools vs Public Schools 2025: Key Differences & Trends
Explore updated 2025 insights comparing charter schools vs public schools, enrollment, academic outcomes, funding, and real-world examples for families and educators.
Are Public Schools Ready for the 21st Century? 2025 Update
Explore 2025 insights on whether public schools are ready for the 21st century, covering performance, technology, equity, funding, and future-ready learning.
Public School Open House & Enrollment Season Guide
A parent-focused guide to the public school open house and enrollment season, with expert questions, timelines, and decision tips.
