The Western Dubuque Community School District, (****WDCSD; also known as Western Dubuque or WD) is a rural public school district based in Farley, Iowa (USA). The district, which operates schools in western Dubuque County, is about 550 sqmi in area, making it the largest school district (by area) in Iowa.

History

The district was established in 1960.

General information

The Western Dubuque Community School District serves an area covering 550 sqmi, including 19 communities in five counties. Its size is about half of that of Rhode Island. The district's territory includes all of the western half of Dubuque County, eastern parts of Delaware County, northeastern Jones County, northwestern Jackson County and extreme southeastern Clayton County. This area includes the towns of: Balltown, Bankston, Bernard, Cascade, Centralia, Dyersville, Epworth, Farley, Luxemburg, Holy Cross, New Vienna, Peosta, almost all of Rickardsville, and Worthington. All are completely or partially in Dubuque County. It also serves the unincorporated areas of Fillmore, Petersburg, and Temple Hill. The district currently operates: WD is governed by a five-member elected school board and is managed by an appointed Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent of Schools is Dan Butler.

Enrollment

In September 2007, there were 2,776 K-12 students attending WD schools. 2,432 (87.6%) of those students lived in Dubuque County, 103 (3.7%) lived in Delaware County, 137 (4.9%) lived in Jones County, 97 (3.5%) lived in Jackson County, and 7 (.3%) lived in Clayton County. Of public school students living in Dubuque County, 18.6% attend WD schools. By 2019-20, the enrollment had grown to 3,642.

History

Recent developments

Recently, there has been some debate over whether or not the town of Dyersville, Iowa should remain a part of the Western Dubuque Community School District. Some residents of the town have publicly expressed feeling "neglected" or "ignored" by the WD school board. The debate seems to stem from the fact that Dyersville lacks a full K-5 elementary school, the elementary school was K-1. A new elementary school was built in Dyersville, opening in the fall of 2011. It is located near US Highway 20.

Schools

Elementary schools: Secondary schools: Former schools: