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Average

#900 of 1,280 schools in IA

Western Dubuque High School

High School · Western Dubuque Comm School District

PO BOX 379 302 5th Ave SW, Epworth, IA 52045

Enrollment

897

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Epworth

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#209 of 334

In district

#6 of 8

Western Dubuque Comm School District

About Western Dubuque High School

Western Dubuque High School serves 897 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Epworth, Iowa. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 16:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful classroom interactions and individualized attention. Academically, Western Dubuque demonstrates solid performance with 79% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 72% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

The school ranks #496 out of 1,288 high schools statewide, placing it in the 62nd percentile among Iowa schools. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for their next steps after graduation. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income of $81,300 supports educational engagement, while maintaining an accessible environment with a 10.4% poverty rate.

The area's median home value of $233,100 reflects a community invested in long-term stability, though with 21% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, there's room for continued educational growth and development. Western Dubuque High School sits in the heart of rural Dubuque County, where students benefit from the close-knit community atmosphere that characterizes small-town Iowa education.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Western Dubuque 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 Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.9Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency79%
Math vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.9 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)79%
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness4.8Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,022

Western Dubuque High School — Students at Western Dubuque High School score 76% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.0%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 84.1%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
80%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
79%
ELA
84%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2025
Math
85%
ELA
86.2%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Western Dubuque High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
30th percentile in IA
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

PO BOX 379 302 5th Ave SW, Epworth, IA 52045

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Western Dubuque High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cascade Junior-Senior High School (rated 6.0/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Cascade), with a very similar rating. Another option is BECKMAN CATHOLIC JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Dyersville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hempstead High School (rated 4.8/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Dubuque), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Epworth, see our Epworth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Epworth Elementary School Epworth 0.8 mi 6.1
Drexler Middle School Farley 3.0 mi 7.7
Farley Elementary School Farley 3.0 mi 4.7
SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Farley 3.1 mi 6.1
Peosta Elementary School Peosta 5.2 mi 6.0
SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PEOSTA CENTER Peosta 5.7 mi 4.8
Cascade Elementary School Cascade 10.4 mi 5.4
Cascade Junior-Senior High School Cascade 10.5 mi 6.0
AQUIN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cascade 10.6 mi 6.5
LA SALLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Holy Cross 11.3 mi 5.5
BECKMAN CATHOLIC JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Dyersville 9.0 mi 5.5
ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dyersville 9.7 mi 6.6
Dyersville Elementary School Dyersville 10.0 mi 5.7
Carver Elementary School Dubuque 10.6 mi 6.9
Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School Dubuque 10.6 mi 6.5
TRI-STATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Asbury 10.9 mi 6.7
Hempstead High School Dubuque 11.5 mi 4.8
John Kennedy Elementary School Dubuque 12.2 mi 6.3
Hoover Elementary School Dubuque 12.2 mi 4.0
Eisenhower Elementary School Dubuque 12.7 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,239

Median Home Value

$248,900

Median Rent

$896/mo

Population

2,872

College Educated

23.4%

Homeownership

79.5%

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

32.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Western Dubuque High School has a median household income of $83,239. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,900, with a median rent of $896/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Indianola High School Indianola, IA 5.7
George Washington High School Cedar Rapids, IA 5.8
Spencer High School Spencer, IA 5.8
Ballard High School Huxley, IA 5.6
East High School Waterloo, IA 5.6
Glenwood Senior High School Glenwood, IA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Western Dubuque High School

What grades does Western Dubuque High School serve?

Western Dubuque High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Western Dubuque High School?

Western Dubuque High School has an enrollment of approximately 897 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Dubuque High School?

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

How does Western Dubuque High School rank in IA?

Western Dubuque High School is ranked #900 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Western Dubuque High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Western Dubuque High School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Western Dubuque High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western Dubuque High School has 81.0% math proficiency and 84.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Western Dubuque High School a charter school?

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

Is Western Dubuque High School a Title I school?

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

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

21.7% of students at Western Dubuque 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
897
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dubuque County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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