My sister-in-law graduated from Western Dubuque High School oh-so-many years ago, and for no good reason I decided to deep-dive and learn more about it. Boy, it was definitely a learning lesson.
In 1957, the state of Iowa passed Chapter 275 Reorganization of School Districts that required all school districts to have a minimum of 300 students and provide twelve years of secondary education (e.g., high school). Until that time, school districts offered what best fit their community and needs: one-room schools, just elementary, through middle school, and the occasional high school. Chapter 275 changed all that.
At the time, Dubuque County had 61 separate school districts with each small town their own fiefdom…and only two high schools. That would no longer be adequate in 1960 when the law came into force, so the rush was on to figure out what to do and how to execute.
That new law pushed the creation of a new school district for the western half of Dubuque Country – hence the name – that, at the time, was the largest in the state and spanned five counties. While not all of the county’s small schools initially joined, it quickly became apparent which ways the winds blew and ultimately joined up.
In fact, districts in neighboring counties petitioned to join as well, as the progressive school district grew in stature and ability to offer students much more than what would be construed as a natural fit within their county.
And now I know way more than I should about a school district I didn’t attend for no good reason other than my inquisitive nature.
