Cascade Junior-Senior High School

Cascade Junior-Senior High School is a public school serving grades 6-12 in Cascade, Iowa, part of the Western Dubuque Community School District. With 381 students, this high-performing school has consistently ranked among the top high schools in Iowa, reaching a peak ranking of 10 out of 320 schools in the 2017-2018 school year.

Cascade Junior-Senior High School stands out for its exceptional academic performance, consistently outpacing the state average on ISASP tests across all grade levels and subject areas. For instance, in 2024-2025, 86% of 10th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 74.7%. In mathematics, 92.7% of 11th graders were proficient or better, far exceeding the state average of 65.6%. The school also maintains high four-year graduation rates, ranging from 87.5% to 98.2% over the past few years, consistently surpassing the state average. While Cascade Junior-Senior High School has experienced some fluctuations in chronic absenteeism rates, these rates are generally lower than the state average, indicating a strong student engagement and attendance culture.

When compared to nearby high schools, such as Western Dubuque High School and Maquoketa Valley Senior High School, Cascade Junior-Senior High School consistently outperforms them on academic measures, including ISASP test scores and graduation rates. This sustained excellence over the past decade is a testament to the school's well-functioning educational system. However, the school's relatively low percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 24.41% to 30.45%, suggests that it serves a more affluent student population compared to some nearby schools, raising questions about equity and access for students from lower-income families.