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
Enrollment
897
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Western Dubuque High School — Students at Western Dubuque High School score 76% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 79% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (563) 258-4030
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Western Dubuque Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,749
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,204
- District Rank
- #6 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 methodologyRelated reading
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