The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 30% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Prescott Elementary School
Prescott Elementary School is a regular public school in Dubuque, Iowa, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is one of the elementary schools within the Dubuque Community School District. The school is a neighborhood-level building, and a substantial share of its students come from households that qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is diverse in its racial and ethnic composition, with no single group forming an outright majority.
Academically, Prescott Elementary’s state assessment results from the most recent school year show that the share of students scoring proficient or above in English language arts, math, and science was below the midpoint of schools statewide. When compared to other school districts within Dubuque County, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed in the bottom quarter of that small group. This is a soft spot, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the instructional strategies and supports in place. The data only includes a single year of assessment results, so there is no trend line to indicate whether performance is improving or declining.
The school offers a standard elementary curriculum for its grade band. Because it only serves grades PK through five, there is no information on high school outcomes such as graduation rates or college readiness measures. The school is not a charter or magnet, and data on Title I status, discipline, and staffing was not available in this profile.
Dubuque itself is a mid-sized regional hub situated at the junction of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, along the Mississippi River. The city has a diversified economy that includes manufacturing, health care, education, financial services, and tourism. Major employers include John Deere, the Dubuque Community School District, and several hospitals. The city’s built environment mixes a revitalized historic downtown and riverfront with neighborhoods climbing the surrounding river bluffs. The Port of Dubuque redevelopment, a major public investment covering a large area of former industrial land, added a riverwalk, a museum, and entertainment venues. Historic districts such as Fenelon Place preserve older street-grid fabric. Walkability is strongest downtown and along the riverfront; neighborhoods at higher elevations are more auto-dependent. The city has seen sustained revitalization since the 1990s, though the population growth has been steady rather than explosive.
The Dubuque Community School District has been implementing several changes that affect a family thinking about Prescott. Voters recently approved a bond referendum for facility improvements across the district, including HVAC upgrades, security enhancements, and classroom additions. Construction is planned over the next few years, so families moving into the area can expect to see ongoing facility work. The district has also been transitioning to Standards-Based Learning, a shift from traditional letter grades to a model that measures student proficiency against specific learning standards. The transition started at the elementary level and has since expanded to middle and high schools. This change affects how student progress is assessed and reported to parents. Additionally, the district launched a full-time online school for older students, offering a permanent virtual learning alternative within the district for grades six through twelve.
For a family considering Prescott Elementary, the key factors are its diverse student body and the high level of economic need it serves. The academic performance data is a point of caution, as proficiency rates in core subjects are below regional and state averages. The school is situated in a larger district that is in the middle of several structural changes, from facility upgrades to a new grading philosophy. The city of Dubuque offers a range of amenities and a stable economic base, though the school’s specific neighborhood context is not detailed here. A parent interested in this school would likely want to speak with the principal or visit to learn about the school’s approach to instruction and any additional supports for students.
See more original research from School Decision →