Western Dubuque Community School District

Third graders at Cascade Elementary are learning all about the skeletal system! From bones to body structure, these young scientists are building knowledge one part at a time. 🦴

3 months ago, WDCSD

Two students sit on the classroom floor working together on a worksheet featuring a diagram of a human hand skeleton, surrounded by school supplies and a colorful floral rug.

Cascade 3rd graders are exploring mass using pan balances during math class. What a fun and interactive way to build measurement skills! ⚖️

3 months ago, WDCSD

Three smiling students sit on the classroom floor working on activity books and using math manipulatives, surrounded by educational supplies and colorful decorations.

Merry Christmas! We're grateful for our amazing school community and wish you all a safe, happy, and memorable holiday season. 🎄

3 months ago, WDCSD

Students at Cascade Elementary are making the most of the season with some winter recess fun! They’re enjoying fresh air, movement, and plenty of smiles. ❄️

3 months ago, WDCSD

A young girl in a pink hat and gloves holds a small snowman she built, smiling outside Cascade Elementary School as other children play in the snow nearby.

A smiling girl in a purple hat and jacket proudly holds a small snowman in the school playground, surrounded by snow and colorful playground equipment.

Peosta Elementary 2nd graders held a Read-a-Thon, reading over 30,000 minutes and raising nearly $4,200! 📚

They shopped for 30 kids through a local Angel Tree and donated $1,000 in groceries to the Epworth Food Pantry. A powerful way to support families this season! ❤️

3 months ago, WDCSD

A group of four boys wearing festive reindeer antler hats smile while standing in a toy aisle at a store, with shoppers and carts visible in the background.

Two adults and four children wearing holiday hats pose with a shopping cart full of toys, including a doll and Minnie Mouse plush, in a store aisle decorated for Christmas.

Two women smile with two young boys wearing reindeer antler hats as they shop in a toy aisle filled with LEGO sets and games.

A teacher and two girls, all smiling, stand beside a grocery cart in a canned goods aisle; the girls wear festive reindeer hats and hold a shopping list.

A woman kneels beside a young boy wearing a reindeer hat in a clothing section of a store, both smiling next to a display of folded shirts and racks of slippers.

Two boys wearing festive hats smile beside a full shopping cart while a woman with a clipboard stands nearby in a clothing aisle of a store.

A group of five children wearing holiday reindeer hats stand in a grocery aisle near carts and shelves filled with snacks and packaged foods during a festive shopping trip.

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. #wdbqschools

3 months ago, WDCCSD

One creative 2nd grader at Cascade Elementary took some holiday inspiration and turned it into a LEGO masterpiece—SANTA! 🎅🧱

We love seeing imagination come to life in the classroom.

3 months ago, WDCSD

A smiling girl in a purple “JOY” sweatshirt holds a red LEGO Santa figure in a colorful classroom setting.

Mrs. Heacock’s kindergarten class had a joyful week filled with holiday fun!

From cozy pajama playtime and yoga with Mrs. Gallagher, to welcoming back some of our traveling gingerbread from across the country, these students have made the most of the season.

They also enjoyed candy canes with friends and even made magical reindeer food to take home! ❤️🎄

3 months ago, WDCSD

Peosta Elementary students had a unique opportunity to participate in an African drumming and culture workshop! They enjoyed creating rhythms on djembe drums and learning about the rich traditions behind the music. 🪘

3 months ago, WDCSD

Three young boys sit in a classroom, each playing a djembe drum, with a cultural tapestry and map of Africa in the background.

A group of children smile and play djembe drums

A student plays a drum with sticks while an instructor in patterned clothing offers guidance during a classroom music activity.

Two boys sit side by side, focused on playing djembe drums together during a classroom music lesson.

Cascade Elementary students and staff got into the holiday spirit with a festive schoolwide celebration! From joyful activities to cheerful smiles, it was a wonderful way to wrap up the week. 🎄

3 months ago, WDCSD

Students sit at cafeteria tables decorating cookies with frosting, using paper liners and plastic utensils.

A long row of students decorates cookies at cafeteria tables while teachers assist during a festive classroom activity.

Girls sit at a cafeteria table, smiling and eating cookies they decorated with colorful frosting and sprinkles.

Smiling boys sit at a table with cookies, frosting, and paper liners, enjoying a cookie decorating activity.

A group of students sits at a lunch table, some enjoying their decorated cookies while others continue frosting them.

Farley Elementary students are exploring careers during guidance class using Xello, a career awareness program. As they explore different career paths, students are also reflecting on their personal skills, practicing critical thinking, and building problem-solving strategies. 💡

It's never too early to start thinking about the future!

3 months ago, WDCSD

Two young boys smile while sitting on the floor with laptops and headphones, each playing educational games.

A group of students wearing headphones work on laptops while seated and lying on the classroom floor during a tech activity.

Students at Cascade Elementary are learning about perseverance in a sweet way by building gingerbread houses with Mrs. Decker from the ISU Extension Office! It’s a hands-on lesson in determination and creativity. 🏠

3 months ago, WDCSD

Children sit at a classroom table decorating small graham cracker gingerbread houses with frosting and cereal pieces.

Students gather at their desks constructing graham cracker houses using icing and cereal, with school supplies nearby.

A smiling boy holds a piping bag of frosting next to his finished gingerbread house decorated with colorful cereal.

Three children sit at desks decorating graham cracker houses with icing, cereal, and plastic bags filled with frosting.

Two girls work intently on decorating graham cracker houses with frosting at their desks

Mr. Wendler brought extra fun to prekindergarten during the gingerbread unit by showing up dressed as a gingerbread man! The smiles and laughter said it all. 🎁

3 months ago, WDCSD

A group of smiling young students poses with an adult dressed in a large gingerbread costume inside a colorful classroom.

Mrs. Hummel’s preschool class went on a gingerbread hunt! 🍪

After making cookies and placing them in the oven, they mysteriously disappeared, leaving clues around the school. We found them back in our classroom, just in time to decorate and enjoy them! 🤗

3 months ago, WDCSD

Young students participate in a festive classroom activity, decorating and baking gingerbread cookies using rolling pins, icing, and toppings.

A teacher places a tray into an oven while a group of young children sit on the floor, watching attentively in a school kitchen.

A teacher shows a tray of gingerbread cookies to a group of young students gathered around a table in a brightly lit classroom.

Western Dubuque High School was proud to host our annual Holiday Dinner—an evening rooted in service, gratitude, and community. Thanks to generous donors and the incredible efforts of our leadership and service learning students and staff, 1,050 free meals were served to community members as our way of giving back.

This tradition reflects the very best of Western Dubuque: Students leading with purpose, staff creating meaningful learning beyond the classroom, and a community united in care and kindness.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave their time, resources, and heart to make this night so special. ❤️

3 months ago, WDCSD

The Western Dubuque Community School District has been recognized as a “High Performing” district based on the 2025 Iowa School Performance Profiles!

This recognition belongs first and foremost to our students, whose effort, growth, and commitment to learning show up every day in classrooms across our district. It is also a testament to the dedication of our teachers, support staff, and leaders, who consistently deliver strong instructional practices and create environments where students can thrive.

Being identified among the top 13% of school districts in Iowa affirms the direction of our work and the systems we have in place to support student success. It reflects a shared commitment to learning, growth, and continuous improvement—alongside families and community partners who actively support our schools.

More information on the Performance Profiles can be found at https://www.iaschoolperformance.gov/ECP/Home/Index.

This recognition reinforces our vision of Better Every Day, and it motivates us to keep improving! 🙌

3 months ago, WDCSD

WDCCSD High Performing (2) - Daniel Butler

Our 5th Graders at Farley Elementary are getting into the holiday spirit with Fun with Buddy the Bobcat, measuring “snowball” distances in a hands-on math activity, and creating heartfelt cards for soldiers deployed overseas. 🇺🇸💌

We’re proud of their creativity, kindness, and festive enthusiasm!

3 months ago, WDCSD

A group of elementary students sit around a classroom table working on drawings or crafts.

A group of students stand in a hallway next to a red holiday-themed photo booth decorated with lights and a drawing of a reindeer wearing a Santa hat. One student smiles through the face cutout of the booth, while others pose beside it.

Three students work together on a floor activity, using a large wooden ruler to measure the distance a small object has traveled.

We’re hiring! 🙌

From classroom educators to essential support roles, every position in our district plays an important part in helping students thrive. WDCSD offers a welcoming environment where staff are supported, valued, and encouraged to do their best work.

Explore job opportunities and take the next step in your career:
https://www.applitrack.com/wdbqschools/onlineapp/

3 months ago, WDCSD

Peosta Elementary prekindergarten teachers recently hosted a joyful Family Literacy Night filled with gingerbread-themed fun! Families took part in hands-on activities like picture book reading, sensory table play, letter searches, paint-dobber art, gingerbread play dough, and decorating their own gingerbread ornament to take home. 🎄📚

This event is part of the family night requirement for districts participating in the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program Grant. It offers a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, create, and learn together!

3 months ago, WDCSD

Hands-on learning is in full swing as Dyersville Elementary students explore mass, length, and volume during Bridges Unit 4. 📏⚖️

These real-world measurement activities are helping students build a strong foundation in math through exploration and teamwork. Learning is always more meaningful when they can see, touch, and experiment!

3 months ago, WDCSD

Four elementary students sit at a desk smiling, working with colorful math manipulatives and open workbooks in a bright classroom.

Four students stand and smile while using a purple balance scale and various shapes at a classroom desk with notebooks open.

Four students at a desk work with a green balance scale and colorful blocks while smiling at the camera

Four students sit around a desk working with an orange balance scale and colorful manipulatives, smiling as they complete a math assignment.

Two students stand near a whiteboard and collaborate while using a measuring tape and spinner cards as part of a measurement activity.

Two girls measure and pour water using various plastic containers, recording results on a worksheet during a hands-on math activity.

A smiling girl uses a measuring tape to record the width of a shelf slot while her classmate observes

Two girls carefully pour water between measuring cups during a capacity experiment, with a worksheet and containers on the table.

Students gather at a table using balance scales, Play-Doh, and shapes during a math activity, collaborating and writing in their notebooks.

Two boys pour water from a large measuring container into a smaller one during a volume-measuring activity, focused on their task.