Western Dubuque Community School District

Last week, members of the Western Dubuque School Board visited Dyersville Elementary and heard directly from student leaders across multiple grade levels. Students proudly shared how they take on leadership roles throughout the building—highlighting their responsibilities, expectations, and the ways they model positive behavior for others. 🐾

It was inspiring to see students confidently express what leadership means at DES and how they help shape a positive school culture every day. Experiences like this remind us how important it is to elevate student voice and create meaningful leadership opportunities at every level. 💬

Thank you to the students and staff at Dyersville Elementary for showcasing Bobcat Pride in action.

10 months ago, WDCSD

Our 6th graders at Drexler Middle School celebrated their D.A.R.E. graduation, marking the end of an important journey in learning about making safe, healthy choices. 🎓

A big thank you to School Resource Officer Sheriff Kamm for her commitment to educating students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. 👏

10 months ago, WDCSD

Last week, we celebrated Computer Science Education Week! 💻

Across the district, students are diving into coding, problem solving, and digital creativity, building skills that will power their futures. From introductory lessons to advanced challenges, it’s exciting to see learners of all ages explore the world of computer science.

Thank you to our staff for making these hands-on experiences possible. The future is bright and full of possibilities! 🚀

10 months ago, WDCSD

First grade students at Farley Elementary had a blast in music class, creating their own vocal exploration lines. This fun activity helped them practice singing both high and low notes. 🎶

10 months ago, WDCSD

Mrs. Brehm’s class at Peosta Elementary has been diving into all things gingerbread recently! After reading several versions of “The Gingerbread Man,” students baked their own cookies, but the fun didn’t stop there. When the cookies disappeared from the oven, the class had to follow a trail of clues to find them! 🕵️‍♂️

What a fun and creative way to build literacy, problem solving, and classroom memories.

10 months ago, WDCSD

A smiling young girl with glasses and pigtails rolls out gingerbread dough with a rolling pin on a classroom table. Cookie cutters and flour are visible on the table.

A young boy presses a gingerbread-shaped cookie cutter into dough on a classroom table.

: A group of preschool children stand in a line inside a school hallway, looking toward a counter.

A group of preschool children gather around a table smiling, showing trays filled with gingerbread cookies they made.

Four young children sit at a table with water bottles and decorated gingerbread cookies on napkins, smiling cheerfully for the camera.

Farley Elementary welcomed Jason from Dubuque County Conservation for a hands-on geology lesson!

Students loved examining real fossils and asking questions about how they formed. A great day of curiosity and learning! 🪨🔍

10 months ago, WDCSD

A man sits on the floor at the front of a classroom holding up a laminated sheet with pictures of animals while a small group of elementary students sit in a semicircle on a rug, listening attentively.

Two young boys smile at the camera while working with a microscope at a classroom table. One boy looks through the eyepiece while the other stands beside him.

A boy leans over a microscope to examine a fossil sample while a girl beside him smiles at the camera.

Three students work together at a counter in a school hallway, using a microscope to study a fossil sample.

Four students gather at a counter in a hallway, each using a microscope to look at fossil samples.

A small group of students sit in a semicircle around a man who is holding a fossil and speaking to them in a classroom.

There’s always something exciting happening at Dyersville Elementary! 📸

From classroom activities to special events, our students are learning, creating, and having fun every step of the way. We’re proud of the positive energy and curiosity they bring.

10 months ago, WDCSD

A boy sitting at his desk in a classroom holds a small wheat seed in his hand and looks at the camera with a playful expression.

A girl sits at her desk carefully examining a wheat seed on a paper towel while classmates behind her work on the same activity.

Three girls sit at their desks smiling while working with wheat seeds placed on paper towels.

Three students smile and show their wheat seeds during a hands-on activity at their desks.

Two students sit at their desks working with wheat seeds placed on paper towels, smiling toward the camera.

Three students sit at their desks with wheat seeds on paper towels. One student in blue looks at the camera, while another examines a seed using a magnifying tool.

Students in Ms. Kluesner's WDHS English class explored characterization and theme through rotating learning stations. Working together in small groups, they analyzed key characters from “Of Mice and Men” and reflected on themes like dreams, loneliness, and power. 📚

11 months ago, WDCSD

Four students sit at grouped desks in a classroom, writing on worksheets with pencils. Books are on the desks, and classroom vocabulary posters hang on the wall behind them.

Preschool pre-registration for the 2026-27 school year opens on Monday, January 5! Families interested in our Early Childhood Programs should plan to complete a short online form beginning January 5 at 12:00pm. 🎒

Completing this form does not register your child—it simply saves your place in line. Families will be contacted to register in the order that forms are received.

More details can be found on our Early Childhood Programs page: https://www.wdbqschools.org/page/early-childhoodpreschool.

11 months ago, WDCCSD

The Drexler Middle School vocal music concert was a night to remember! 🎶

Bravo to our young vocalists and thank you to the families and staff who came out to support them! 👏

11 months ago, WDCSD

A large middle-school choir stands on tiered risers on a theater stage, wearing matching black shirts and khaki pants. A conductor faces the students at the front left, leading the performance. A pianist sits at a grand piano on the right side of the stage.

Sixth grade social studies students at Drexler Middle School got a taste of culture! 🍰

As part of their unit on world cultures, students enjoyed a traditional Mexican cake while learning about customs, traditions, and celebrations. A flavorful way to explore global perspectives!

11 months ago, WDCSD

A group of sixth-grade students pose together and smile inside a classroom. Several students sit at a table in front with notebooks and plates of cake, while others stand behind them. Classroom posters and a chalkboard labeled “6th Grade Social Studies” are visible on the wall.

Second graders at Dyersville Elementary have been spreading cheer as they enjoy the festive Christmas decorations. Their smiles say it all—this season is full of wonder and joy! 🎄😊

11 months ago, WDCSD

A large group of elementary students pose together in several rows inside a school lobby, smiling at the camera. A tall decorated Christmas tree stands behind them.

First and third graders at Dyersville Elementary gathered in their Bobcat Families groups to enjoy The Gingerbread Boy together! 📖

These moments build connection, strengthen reading skills, and bring the joy of storytelling to life across grade levels.

11 months ago, WDCSD

A group of elementary students sit on the floor facing a teacher who is reading a picture book aloud at the front of the classroom. Another adult sits nearby, observing. Behind them are shelves filled with books, bins, and classroom supplies, and a whiteboard with written instructions is positioned beside the teacher.

Our Peosta Elementary 5th grade students are showing off their creativity, teamwork, and leadership as they prepare for the Jungle Tiger Talent Show! It's all coming together thanks to their collaboration and excitement. We can't wait to see them take the stage! 🎭🐯

11 months ago, WDCSD

Three elementary students sit together in a cozy classroom corner, each using a laptop. One student sits in a chair smiling at the camera, while the other two sit on cushions and a chair nearby

Farley Elementary 2nd graders celebrated the 67th day of school with a math challenge—coming up with 67 different equations to make the number 67! 🔢🎉

Students showed perseverance and flexible thinking as they worked together to decompose their favorite number in creative ways. What an awesome way to build number sense and celebrate learning!

11 months ago, WDCSD

A group of elementary students pose together in a classroom, many of them smiling and forming hand signs with their fingers. They sit and kneel on a carpeted floor in front of a large whiteboard covered with student work, drawings, and math problems.

A classroom whiteboard filled with handwritten math problems displayed on small cards, each attached with colorful magnets.

Drexler Middle School was awarded a Keystone AEA McElroy Grant to support a hands-on project called Engraving for Entrepreneurs! 🛠️

Eighth grade students will use desktop laser engravers to design unique products while exploring skills such as marketing, budgeting, and business problem solving.

11 months ago, WDCSD

During Computer Science Education Week, we celebrate the fact that our students are learning to be problem solvers and creative thinkers through computer science.

These skills will empower them no matter what path they pursue! 💻🚀

11 months ago, WDCSD

Graphic for Western Dubuque Schools celebrating Computer Science Education Week, featuring students working on computer hardware displayed on a laptop screen.

December 8-12 is Inclusive Schools Week!

This week reminds us that building welcoming schools is essential to helping every student reach their goals. Thank you to everyone who supports these efforts! 🙏

11 months ago, WDCSD

Western Dubuque High School hosted its annual Vocational Advisory Board meeting recently, bringing together students, educators, and industry partners from across the region to strengthen our career and technical education pathways. ⚒️

Representatives from manufacturing, agriculture, business, automotive, carpentry, and other trades sat shoulder-to-shoulder with our students to review curriculum, discuss workforce needs, and identify new opportunities that prepare WDHS graduates for success beyond high school.

This collaboration embodies who we are—schools and community working together to ensure every student has access to meaningful, real-world learning experiences. We are grateful for the time, insight, and partnership of our local employers who help us keep our programs relevant, rigorous, and aligned with today’s workforce demands.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Your commitment directly impacts our students and strengthens the future of Western Dubuque.

Better Every Day.

11 months ago, WDCSD

A collage of four photos showing Western Dubuque Schools students, staff, and local professionals participating in vocational roundtable discussions inside a school gym.

A collage of photos showing Western Dubuque Schools students, educators, and community members seated in small groups discussing vocational and career pathways.

Dyersville Elementary kindergarteners and 5th graders teamed up this week for a round of Christmas Bingo during Bobcat Buddies! 🎄

This fun tradition brings students from across grade levels together to build connections, practice teamwork, and spread a little holiday cheer.

11 months ago, WDCSD