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Below Average

#1098 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

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dubuque

#15 of 17

public schools

Iowa high schools

#279 of 334

In district

#15 of 17

Dubuque Comm School District

About Hempstead High School

Hempstead High School serves 1,549 students in grades 9-12 in Dubuque, Iowa, operating as a sizable public high school with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 and 101 full-time equivalent teachers. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks 959th out of 1,288 high schools statewide, placing it in the 26th percentile with room for academic growth. Academic performance shows 65% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 60% reach proficiency in mathematics across grade levels.

These results indicate the school is focusing on student development and working to strengthen academic outcomes for its large student body. The school draws from a stable middle-class community in the 52002 zip code area, where the median household income reaches $87,000 and home values average $258,000. The neighborhood shows strong educational values, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 10.1% among its 17,871 residents.

Hempstead High School is situated in Dubuque, a historic river city along the Mississippi River known for its blend of industrial heritage and educational institutions.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Math vs. State Avg-6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.1 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected-8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness5.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,492

Hempstead High School — Students at Hempstead High School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

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 63.1%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 66.1%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
71%
ELA
68%
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: 2.8/10.

How Hempstead High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
14th percentile in IA
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
101 teachers

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 7.3/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is George Washington Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carver Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 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 6.3
Hoover Elementary School Dubuque 0.7 mi 4.0
TRI-STATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Asbury 1.0 mi 6.7
Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School Dubuque 1.0 mi 6.5
Carver Elementary School Dubuque 1.1 mi 6.9
Eisenhower Elementary School Dubuque 1.5 mi 6.7
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 6.0
Dubuque Senior High School Dubuque 2.0 mi 5.6
George Washington Middle School Dubuque 2.4 mi 7.1
Lincoln Elementary School Dubuque 2.7 mi 6.8
Bryant Elementary School Dubuque 3.1 mi 7.3
ST COLUMBKILLE SCHOOL Dubuque 3.2 mi 4.7
Prescott Elementary School Dubuque 3.4 mi 5.4
Sageville Elementary School Dubuque 4.6 mi 5.1
Table Mound Elementary School Dubuque 4.0 mi 5.2
Audubon Elementary School Dubuque 3.6 mi 4.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hempstead High School has a median household income of $88,060. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $273,400, with a median rent of $1,051/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Clinton High School Clinton, IA 4.8
North High School Sioux City, IA 4.8
East High School Sioux City, IA 4.9
West High School Sioux City, IA 4.5
Lewis Central Senior High School Council Bluffs, IA 4.4
Mason City High School Mason City, IA 4.4

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 is ranked #1098 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Hempstead High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hempstead High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Hempstead High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hempstead High School has 63.1% math proficiency and 66.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (1,846/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dubuque). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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