The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in Math. The lowest is 41% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Briggs Elementary School
Briggs Elementary School serves a small student body in grades three through five as a regular public school within the Maquoketa Comm School District. Located in the city of Maquoketa, the school occupies a building on Quarry Street on the western side of town.
Maquoketa is a micro-urban city that functions as the county seat of Jackson County and positions itself as the primary business hub between Dubuque and the Quad Cities. Its downtown has seen revitalization in recent years, with dining options and a trail loop for recreation. The area is marketed as a fiber-connected city with a growing business base and a competitive cost of living, attracting families and businesses. Nearby natural amenities include Maquoketa Caves State Park, the Prairie Creek Recreation Area, and the Maquoketa River. The city has undergone community investment aimed at expanding its downtown and business base.
The student body at Briggs Elementary is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, multiracial, and Hispanic students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a significant level of economic need among the families served. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not reported.
State testing results from the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress are available for the most recent school year. In mathematics, roughly half of students scored at or above the proficient level. In English language arts, the share was somewhat below half. In science, a slightly smaller share of students met the proficiency benchmark. Participation rates were high across all tested subjects. No prior-year data was available in the record to establish a trend, so it is not possible to say whether performance is improving, holding steady, or declining. A parent may wish to ask the school about how these results compare to past years and what instructional strategies are in place.
When compared against other districts in Jackson County, Briggs Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades landed in the bottom quartile among the four districts that make up the county. This comparative position provides one lens, though it does not account for the school’s specific student demographics or the level of economic disadvantage present. The county-level comparison group is a small set, and the school’s standing should be weighed alongside other factors such as classroom supports and programming.
Home values in the area are somewhat below the statewide median, and have seen modest year-over-year appreciation. The national context shows mortgage rates and unemployment at moderate levels. For families considering a move to Maquoketa, the housing market is more accessible than in many parts of Iowa, and the cost of living is competitive.
The district brief did not turn up any recent major changes or initiatives publicly reported for the Maquoketa Comm School District. Several categories of data are absent from the school profile: no information on chronic absenteeism, discipline incidents, staffing ratios, or course access was available. Because the school serves only grades three through five, a graduation rate does not apply. The gaps may be due to the grade band or reporting cycles, but a reader should be aware that these areas are not documented in the public record reviewed here.
See more original research from School Decision →