General

We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2020 at graduation in a few short weeks!

Graduation is scheduled for Saturday, June 27.
If there is inclement weather that prohibits the event to happen as scheduled, the rain date will be Sunday, June 28.

Hempstead High School’s ceremony will begin at 10 a.m.
Dubuque Senior High School’s ceremony will begin at 3 p.m.

READ FULL EVENT DETAILS IN THE GRADUATION SAFETY PLAN, developed following consultation with the City of Dubuque Public Health Department.

Each graduate will receive four (4) tickets for guests to attend. Ticket pick-up for graduates will be held the week of June 22. WATCH FOR INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM YOUR SCHOOL REGARDING PICK-UP TIMES AND PROCESS.

Looking for a project to celebrate Earth Day? Check out the Earth Day Art Contest and an accompanying art lesson developed by Roosevelt Middle School Art Teacher Kristina Castaneda and supported by State Representative Chuck Isenhart and Green Dubuque.

While designed for middle school students, it can be modified for students of all ages!

VIEW THE ART LESSON AND ART CONTEST DETAILS

Every five years, the Dubuque Community School District updates its Special Education Service Delivery Plan, which outlines how the district implements services for students eligible for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

As part of this process, public comment is sought on the draft version of then plan.

View the Draft Special Education Service Delivery Plan

Comments on this draft are being accepted through Tuesday, May 5, using the form below.

The Iowa Department of Education recently released the 2019 Iowa School Performance Profiles, which is the statewide school accountability system. Based on the results of this year’s release, the Dubuque Community School District is pleased to see a great deal of growth and progress in this year’s results.

“We know that no accountability system can show the entire picture of a school’s culture, accomplishments and success,” said Superintendent of Schools Stan Rheingans. “At the same time, we are encouraged by our results on this year’s report and we are thankful to our staff, families and the many community partners who work tirelessly on behalf of our students and their success.”

The performance profiles include a complex set of data to provide a measurement of school performance. An overview of the total score and the overall designation for each school in the district is below.

VIEW COMPLETE DATA ON THE IOWA SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROFILES WEBSITE

** Designations levels (from lowest to highest) include: Priority, Needs Improvement, Acceptable, Commendable, High Performing, Exceptional Based on last year, the first year of the performance profiles, a number of district schools were considered targeted for support in meeting the goals for a variety of student subgroups.

This year’s report indicated that the following schools MET THEIR GOALS in identified 2018 targeted areas:

• Eisenhower Elementary School met its goal for the targeted area of Low Socio-Economic Status (FRL)
• Irving Elementary School met its goal for the targeted area of Students with Disabilities (IEP)
• Prescott Elementary School met its goal for the targeted area of Low Socio-Economic Status (FRL)
• Table Mound Elementary School met its goal for the targeted area of Students with Disabilities (IEP)
• Roosevelt Middle School met its goal for the targeted areas of Black/African American and Students with Disabilities (IEP)
• Washington Middle School met its goal for the targeted area of Black/African American
• Jefferson Middle School met its goal for the targeted areas of Black/African American, English Learners (EL), Low Socio-Economic Status (FRL), Hispanic, Students with Disabilities (IEP) and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

This year, the following schools received new targeted designations. As part of the district’s ongoing school and district planning process, schools will develop and implement plans working toward meeting the goals in these areas:

• Eisenhower Elementary School is now targeted for Students with Disabilities (IEP)
• Prescott Elementary School is now targeted for Students with Disabilities (IEP)
• Dubuque Senior High School is now targeted for Students with Disabilities (IEP)
• Washington Middle School is now targeted for Students with Disabilities (IEP)
• Hempstead High School is now targeted for Low Socio-Economic Status (FRL) and Students with Disabilities (IEP)

“As a district, we will continue to analyze this data and many other data sources in the district as we work to reduce barriers and bolster opportunities for each and every student we serve,” said Rheingans. “We have much work to do, but we will do so purposefully and strategically together – and always with the best interest of students in mind.”

The Dubuque Community School District saw an overall increase of 56 students for the 2019-2020 school year, as compared to last year, according to the district’s tentative certified enrollment numbers. The numbers will be reviewed and finalized by the Iowa Department of Education by November 1.

Certified enrollment is the benchmark formula that districts across the state use to report student attendance – and is the key factor in determining the amount of funding districts receive. Because of the complexity of a district’s student makeup, it is also the most accurate indicator and uniform measure of student attendance in the state.

This year, the district’s tentative certified enrollment is 10,486 students across 18 schools as well as the district’s Alta Vista Campus, which houses the Alternative Learning Center, Summit Program, HEART Program and the district’s new Cornerstone Academy.

“Rising enrollment numbers are a positive sign for the district, even with the increase being small,” said Stan Rheingans, superintendent of schools. “We hope to see this trend of incremental growth continue moving forward and, as always, remain committed to providing the highest-quality education to each and every student who walks through our door.”

Families of 6th- and 9th-grade students — We are excited to welcome you for Orientation Day this Friday, Aug. 23!

This will be a full day for your student, with the day beginning at your school’s normal Monday through Thursday start time.

Start times are as follows:

Jefferson Middle School
Building opens at 7:20 a.m., classes start at 7:35 a.m.

Roosevelt Middle School
Building opens at 7:30 a.m., classes start at 7:38 a.m.

Washington Middle School
Building opens at 7:25 a.m., classes start at 7:40 a.m.

Dubuque Senior High School
Building opens at 7 a.m., classes start at 7:35 a.m.

Hempstead High School
Building opens at 6:45 a.m., classes start at 7:35 a.m.

If your student is eligible for school bus transportation, buses will run on the normal Monday through Thursday route times listed in the transportation letter your family received.

If you have any questions, please contact your school office. We can’t wait to see you Friday!

Dubuque Community School District staff members kicked of the 2019-2020 school year today with an Opening Gathering. Check out the excitement of #TeamDCSD as the year gets underway!

This year, we celebrated the first students to receive the State of Iowa Seal of Biliteracy. Here’s a snapshot:

Click the image above to enlarge or view the PDF version.

Brenda Duvel

The Dubuque Community School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Brenda Duvel as the district’s next executive director of special education. Duvel will assume this position after serving as principal of Kennedy Elementary School during the 2018-2019 school year.

In this role, Duvel will be responsible for the overall management and coordination of the district’s special education program, while also serving as a liaison between the district, the Area Education Agency, parents and the various community agencies.

“As our search progressed, it became increasingly clear that Brenda possesses the right special education expertise, leadership experience and interpersonal skills to lead this critical area of the district into the future,” said Stan Rheingans, superintendent of schools. “We are pleased to welcome her to our executive leadership team.”

Read More about “Kennedy Principal Named District Executive Director of Special Education”

We love watching a new group of Dubuque Community School District graduates walk across the stage at commencement – and we wish them much success in the future.

Below are the 2019 Dubuque Senior High School and Hempstead High School graduation videos so you can relive the excitement!