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Needs Improvement

#1163 of 1,280 schools in IA

Hempstead High School

High School · Dubuque Comm School District

3715 Pennsylvania Ave, Dubuque, IA 52002

Enrollment

1,549

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,163 of 1,280

In Dubuque

#15 of 17

public schools

In district

#15 of 17

Dubuque Comm School District

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Hempstead High School

3.7/10

High School in Dubuque · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

John Kennedy Elementary School

6.2/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hoover Elementary School

4.3/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hempstead High School

Hempstead High School is a public high school in Dubuque, IA, part of Dubuque Comm School District. Hempstead High School serves approximately 1,549 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Hempstead High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,163 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Hempstead High School show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.4
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Hempstead High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.1% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)75% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%
AP Participation18.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,489
Chronic Absenteeism34.4%

Hempstead High School — Students at Hempstead High School score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 73.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
81%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
86%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
89%
ELA
84%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
76%
2016
Math
81%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
81%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
71%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
71%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
64%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
60%
ELA
65%
2025
Math
61.2%
ELA
64.1%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Hempstead High School Compares

See how Hempstead High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
9th percentile in IA
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 1.7
Sports
21
10 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
101 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
18.5% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
10 boys'·11 girls'·52 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3715 Pennsylvania Ave, Dubuque, IA 52002

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hempstead High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bryant Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carver Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School (rated 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dubuque, see our Dubuque schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
John Kennedy Elementary School Dubuque 0.7 mi 6.2
Hoover Elementary School Dubuque 0.7 mi 4.3
TRI-STATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Asbury 1.0 mi 6.7
Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School Dubuque 1.0 mi 7.3
Carver Elementary School Dubuque 1.1 mi 7.4
Eisenhower Elementary School Dubuque 1.5 mi 6.2
Dubuque Online School Dubuque 1.6 mi
MAZZUCHELLI CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Dubuque 1.7 mi 6.2
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Dubuque 1.7 mi 5.5
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Dubuque 1.7 mi 6.4
Irving Elementary School Dubuque 1.6 mi 5.3
Dubuque Senior High School Dubuque 2.0 mi 5.1
George Washington Middle School Dubuque 2.4 mi 6.1
Lincoln Elementary School Dubuque 2.7 mi 3.8
Bryant Elementary School Dubuque 3.1 mi 7.9
ST COLUMBKILLE SCHOOL Dubuque 3.2 mi 4.7
Prescott Elementary School Dubuque 3.4 mi 3.0
Sageville Elementary School Dubuque 4.6 mi 6.8
Table Mound Elementary School Dubuque 4.0 mi 5.1
Audubon Elementary School Dubuque 3.6 mi 2.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,060

Median Home Value

$273,400

Median Rent

$1,051/mo

Population

17,931

College Educated

40%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

39.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Marshalltown High School Marshalltown, IA 3.7
Mason City High School Mason City, IA 3.7
Ottumwa High School Ottumwa, IA 3.7
Abraham Lincoln High School Council Bluffs, IA 3.8
North High School Des Moines, IA 3.8
Clinton High School Clinton, IA 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hempstead High School

What grades does Hempstead High School serve?

Hempstead High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hempstead High School?

Hempstead High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,549 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hempstead High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hempstead High School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hempstead High School rank in IA?

Hempstead High School ranks #1,163 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Hempstead High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hempstead High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Hempstead High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hempstead High School has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hempstead High School a charter school?

No, Hempstead High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hempstead High School a Title I school?

No, Hempstead High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hempstead High School?

36.2% of students at Hempstead 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

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,549
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
101
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Dubuque County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.4%
4-Year Graduation
80.0%

District

Dubuque Comm School District
District Enrollment
10,451
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,489
District Rank
#15 of 17

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