Education & Childcare Information

The Dubuque community takes great pride in the quality of its educational system - it is a top priority for Dubuque citizens and leaders. Iowa consistently ranks in the top five states in the nation on standardized achievement tests such as ACT, SAT, and Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Test scores for elementary and high school students in Dubuque consistently rank above both the national and state averages, while Dubuque's public school system was ranked #7 out of 2,200 school districts nationwide according to Expansion Management Magazine.

Primary Education (K-12)

The Dubuque Community School District offers K-12 education through 13 elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools. Dubuque also offers two private school systems accredited by the State of Iowa.  The Holy Family Catholic Schools offer K-12 education at four elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school, as well as a Spanish Immersion school, Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Dubuque Lutheran School offers K-5 education at one elementary school.

Dubuque area schools contact information, enrollments, and proficiencies.

Higher Education

Greater Dubuque is home to four colleges and universities. The contribution these educational institutions make to our community goes far beyond the obvious. The bring culture and diversity, connecting hundreds of bright, talented graduates with area employers every year. They also serve the educational needs of area adults and businesses through corporate training programs, adult degree programs, graduate degree programs, and non-traditional course delivery. Over 18,000 students are served by the educational institutions within the Greater Dubuque area.

• Loras College
• University of Dubuque
• Clarke University
• University of Wisconsin Platteville

The community colleges and technical schools in the Greater Dubuque area offer specialized degrees and training, apprenticeships, and continuing education courses, as well as core requirement and basic education. The possibilities are endless.

• Northeast Iowa Community College
• Southwest Tech
• Capri College

The first seminaries in the Greater Dubuque area were established as early as 1852 by German theologians. Through the years, Dubuque has continued to attract religious thinkers and now, nearly 150 years later, it stands as a unique center of theological study.

• Emmaus Bible College
• Wartburg Theological Seminary
• Divine Word College

The 4-Year-Old Voluntary Preschool Program

Research supports the fact that high-quality preschool improves a child's readiness for kindergarten. In June 2008, the State of Iowa awarded a $2.8 million grant to provide a minimum of ten hours of free preschool per week to every child who is a resident of Iowa, as long as their fourth birthday is before September 15 of the program year. There are no financial restrictions or preconditions on the free preschool program. This is for ALL four-year-olds.

For more information, please contact Child Care Resource and Referral toll-free at 866-296-5331 or online at www.neiowachildcare.org.

Finding Childcare in Dubuque

There are many different types of child care and early education programs in the Greater Dubuque area. To learn more about the quality childcare options in Dubuque, contact the staff at Child Care Resource & Referral, a community-based organization that lends a helping hand to residents new to the community. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can answer questions regarding in-home infant and child care, child care centers, preschool, and before and after school care. Contact them today for free childcare referral information. For more information, contact them toll-free at 866.296.5331 or online at www.neiowachildcare.org.

Every Child, Every Promise

In partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Every Child/Every Promise engages our community to promote collaboration among youth-serving agencies, eliminate duplication of services, gather effective data, and create a more efficient system to deliver the Five Promises to youth: Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, An Effective Education, and Opportunities to Serve. Every Child/Every Promise is committed to ensuring the brightest futures for our young people by collecting better data and measuring our progress regularly.

Click here to view the 2011 Youth Indicator Report. This document is a view of our community’s progress in keeping the five promises to young people in our community. outcomes and help our children to flourish.

Have questions about the education system in the community? Contact Shannon Gaherty, Newcomer Relations Coordinator, at 563.557.9049 or by email to .