Original Research by School Decision on Hempstead High School
Hempstead High School is one of two public high schools in Dubuque, Iowa, serving students in grades nine through twelve as part of the Dubuque Community School District. It is a regular public school with a large enrollment for a high school of this grade band. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Asian, and multiracial students. Just over a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places the school in a middle range of economic diversity compared to many Iowa high schools.
On the most recent state assessments, which cover a single school year, a majority of Hempstead students met proficiency standards in English language arts, mathematics, and science. Science proficiency was the highest among the three subjects, while math proficiency was the lowest. Because only one year of data was available, there is no trend to assess. The data did not include a comparison to other high schools in Dubuque County, so it is not possible to say how the school’s results stack up against its only neighboring district. A parent who wants a fuller picture of academic performance over time or relative standing may want to ask the school directly for multi-year results.
The school’s academic context is shaped by a district-wide shift to Standards-Based Learning, which began in elementary schools in 2022-2023 and reached high schools in the 2024-2025 school year. Under this model, student progress is measured against specific learning standards rather than traditional letter grades, though transcripts will show both during the transition. This represents a significant change in how grades are reported, and families moving into the district should be aware that Hempstead is now operating within this framework. The district also offers a full-time online school for students in grades six through twelve, a flexible option that grew out of parent demand after the pandemic but is separate from the in-person experience at Hempstead.
The school itself sits within the Dubuque Community School District, which in 2024 passed a substantial bond referendum to fund facility improvements across multiple buildings. Over the next few years, families can expect ongoing construction projects including HVAC upgrades, security enhancements, classroom additions, and accessibility improvements. These upgrades are planned through 2027, so the school environment will be in a state of change for the near term.
Dubuque is a mid-sized regional hub on the Mississippi River with a diversified economy that blends manufacturing, health care, education, financial services, and tourism. The city has undergone a sustained revitalization since the 1990s, anchored by riverfront redevelopment, a restored creek that functions as a linear park, and ongoing investments in cultural and recreation venues. For a family considering this area, the housing market reflects a typical Midwestern regional hub: home values and rents are moderate, with a notable gap between mortgage costs and rents that favors renting over buying in the current interest-rate environment. The city’s historic downtown and bluff-top neighborhoods give it a distinct character, but outlying areas are auto-dependent and transit is limited.
Several pieces of information that many parents want when choosing a high school were not available in the data we reviewed. There is no reported graduation rate, no discipline data, and no information on the share of students receiving special education services or English learner support. Staffing ratios, course access details, and chronic absenteeism rates are also absent. A parent would need to request those directly from the school or the district to get a complete picture of student support and school climate.
Hempstead High School serves a large, economically mixed student body in a city with a stable but evolving economy and an active downtown. The district is in the middle of a pedagogical shift and a facility upgrade cycle, so a family moving in should expect both construction and a changed grading system. Without more data on outcomes and support services, a closer look at the school’s own communications would be a sensible next step.
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