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Average

#815 of 1,280 schools in IA

Cascade Junior-senior High School

High School · Western Dubuque Comm School District

505 Johnson St NW, Cascade, IA 52033

Enrollment

381

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

6.0

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cascade

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#182 of 334

In district

#4 of 8

Western Dubuque Comm School District

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Cascade Junior-senior High School

Cascade Junior-Senior High School serves 381 students in grades 6-12 in the rural community of Cascade, Iowa. This public school has earned recognition as one of Iowa's top-performing institutions, ranking 33rd out of 1,288 schools statewide and placing in the 98th percentile with an impressive 8.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school demonstrates strong academic achievement across core subjects, with 84% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 82% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

With 31 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Cascade maintains a favorable 12.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention and instruction. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $67,614 and the poverty rate sits at a relatively low 10.5%. About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while median home values average $193,000, reflecting the area's affordability and family-oriented character.

Cascade Junior-Senior High School operates in Dubuque County's agricultural landscape, where students benefit from small-town values and close-knit community connections while receiving a high-quality education that prepares them well for future academic and career pursuits.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Cascade Junior-senior High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84%
Math vs. State Avg+9.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected+9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College Readiness3.0Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,022

Cascade Junior-senior High School — Students at Cascade Junior-senior High School score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 87.9%
School
State
70.4%
ELA Proficiency 80.9%
School
State
75.5%

Based on 20 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
88%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
84%
2025
Math
88.3%
ELA
79.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.

How Cascade Junior-senior High School Compares

See how Cascade Junior-senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
36th percentile in IA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

505 Johnson St NW, Cascade, IA 52033

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cascade Junior-senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Western Dubuque High School (rated 5.7/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Epworth), with a very similar rating. Another option is Midland Middle/High School (rated 5.6/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Wyoming), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BECKMAN CATHOLIC JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Dyersville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cascade, see our Cascade schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.7 mi
School Distance Rating
AQUIN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cascade 0.1 mi 6.5
Cascade Elementary School Cascade 0.6 mi 5.4
SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Farley 9.7 mi 6.1
Drexler Middle School Farley 10.0 mi 7.7
Farley Elementary School Farley 10.0 mi 4.7
Western Dubuque High School Epworth 10.5 mi 5.7
Epworth Elementary School Epworth 10.9 mi 6.1
Monticello Middle School Monticello 9.4 mi 7.8
Monticello High School Monticello 9.4 mi 5.2
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Monticello 9.6 mi 5.5
Carpenter Elementary School Monticello 9.8 mi 6.7
Shannon Elementary School Monticello 10.0 mi 5.8
BECKMAN CATHOLIC JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Dyersville 12.9 mi 5.5
Dyersville Elementary School Dyersville 13.4 mi 5.7
ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dyersville 13.8 mi 6.6
Peosta Elementary School Peosta 13.6 mi 6.0
Johnston Elementary School Hopkinton 12.2 mi 7.5
SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PEOSTA CENTER Peosta 14.1 mi 4.8
Midland Middle/High School Wyoming 16.6 mi 5.6
LA SALLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Holy Cross 20.7 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,833

Median Home Value

$210,600

Median Rent

$887/mo

Population

3,581

College Educated

26.4%

Homeownership

75.9%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

33

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cascade Junior-senior High School has a median household income of $70,833. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,600, with a median rent of $887/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Central Lyon Secondary School Rock Rapids, IA 6.0
Central Springs High School Manly, IA 6.0
Lisbon Secondary Lisbon, IA 6.0
Louisa-Muscatine JR/SR High School Letts, IA 6.0
New Hampton High School New Hampton, IA 6.0
Osage High School Osage, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cascade Junior-senior High School

What grades does Cascade Junior-senior High School serve?

Cascade Junior-senior High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Cascade Junior-senior High School?

Cascade Junior-senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 381 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cascade Junior-senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cascade Junior-senior High School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cascade Junior-senior High School rank in IA?

Cascade Junior-senior High School is ranked #815 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Cascade Junior-senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cascade Junior-senior High School has a composite rating of 6.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Cascade Junior-senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cascade Junior-senior High School has 87.9% math proficiency and 80.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cascade Junior-senior High School a charter school?

No, Cascade Junior-senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cascade Junior-senior High School a Title I school?

No, Cascade Junior-senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cascade Junior-senior High School?

30.4% of students at Cascade Junior-senior High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (143/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dubuque County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Western Dubuque Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,749
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,204
District Rank
#4 of 8

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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