The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in Science. The lowest is 76% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School
Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School is a regular public school in Dubuque, Iowa, serving sixth through eighth grades. It is one of the larger middle schools in the area, with an enrollment that mirrors the scale of a mid-sized regional hub. The school is part of the Dubuque Community School District, which recently secured voter approval for a major bond referendum to fund facility improvements across the district, including HVAC upgrades, security enhancements, and classroom additions. Construction is planned through 2027, so families moving into the attendance area can expect ongoing physical upgrades at the school.
Academically, Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School posts strong results on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress. In the most recent testing year, a substantial majority of students met or exceeded state proficiency standards in math, English language arts, and science. The school’s overall proficiency index lands above the top of the range for district-level averages in Dubuque County, placing it in a very strong position relative to its neighbors. Participation rates on the assessments were high, lending confidence to the results. Because the data provides only a single year of testing, there is no trend to evaluate, but the current snapshot is a favorable one.
The student body is predominantly white, with notable shares of students who are Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and of two or more races. Roughly three out of every ten students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a figure that situates the school in a moderate range of economic diversity. Data on special education identification and English learner status were not available, so a family looking into support services for those populations would need to follow up directly with the school. Discipline and chronic absenteeism data were also absent from the available record, which is not unusual for a regular public school where such numbers are reported at the district level.
Dubuque itself is a city built on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, with a history of manufacturing and river trade that has shifted toward health care, education, financial services, and tourism. Major employers include John Deere, the Dubuque Community School District, and several hospital systems. Housing values in the zip codes serving the school are notably above the state median, reflecting the city’s revitalized downtown, riverfront amenities, and hilly residential neighborhoods. Rents are similarly elevated. For families moving to the area, the trade-off is a stable, amenity-rich setting with a cost of housing that is higher than much of the rest of Iowa.
The district has introduced several changes that directly affect the middle school experience. Standards-Based Learning is now in place at the middle school level, shifting how student progress is assessed and reported. Instead of traditional letter grades, proficiency is measured against specific learning standards, which can be an adjustment for families used to a more conventional report card. The district also launched the Dubuque Online School, a full-time virtual option for grades six through twelve, giving families a permanent alternative to brick-and-mortar attendance if that better suits a student’s needs.
For a family considering Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School, the picture is of a large, well-performing public middle school in a city that has invested heavily in its quality of life and school infrastructure. The academic results are strong, the setting is a regional hub with a diversified economy, and the district is actively modernizing its facilities and instructional approaches. A parent who wants a middle school with a solid record of student achievement and access to a range of program options—though specific course access data was not provided—will find a lot to like here. Those needing detailed information on special education, English learner services, or disciplinary climate should reach out to the school directly, as those specifics were not part of the available reporting.
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