Pre-K to 12 Education

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 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.

The 4-Year-Old Voluntary Preschool Program

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

Primary Education (K-12)

The Dubuque Community School District offers K-12 education at 13 elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools. Dubuque also offers two State of Iowa accredited private school systems. The Holy Family Catholic Schools offers K-12 education at five elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. The Dubuque Lutheran School offers K-5 education at one elementary school.