Davenport lies with the Quad Cities Metropolitan area, which is located in eastern Iowa and western Illinois on the Mississippi River, 165 miles west of Chicago.  The Quad Cities is midway between Minneapolis and St. Louis.  The area’s 300-mile market of nearly 36.5 million people comprises nearly 15% of the nation’s population.

ACT (American College Testing) Entrance Exam – Average composite scores consistently above national norms among district’s college-bound high school students

Budget – A highly trained staff of financial experts maintains a budget of over $200 million to ensure the effective use of funds. Accolades include the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association and the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Association of School Business Officials International.

Climate in the area is as follows –

• Average Winter Temperature:  27.6
• Average Summer Temperature:  70.9
• Average Annual Precipitation:  40.26”
• Average Annual Snowfall:  30.6”
• Average Annual Sunny Days:  53.2%

Communities Served – Blue Grass, Buffalo, Davenport, and Walcott – covering 109 square miles

Computers – Average of 1 computer to each 3.5 students

Cost of Living – based on the U.S. Average of 100, the Quad Cities ranks as follows:

• Groceries – 92.2
• Housing – 91.2
• Utilities – 101.2
• Transportation – 93.4
• Health Care – 98.1
• Misc. Goods – 97.5

Curriculum Highlights –

Elementary (K-Grade 5)

• Preschool opportunities
• Concept Based Brain Compatible (CBBC)/"Brain Friendly" Classrooms
• Skills for Life initiative
• Emphasis on reading proficiency in primary grades
• Balanced Literacy approach
• Special, visiting artists programs
• Vocal music performance opportunities
• Instrumental music program beginning in 4th grade
• Departmental instruction in 4th and 5th grade in art, mathematics, music, physical education, science, and social studies
• Special education programming
• Talented and gifted programming
• State-of-the-art library media centers – the first library media centers in elementary schools in Iowa and west of the Mississippi River

Intermediate (Grades 6-8)

• Individual school-based middle school programming
• Writing across the curriculum
• Multiple-year sequence in French and Spanish
• School-to-Work programming
• Individual student lessons in instrumental music
• Special education programming
• Talented and gifted programming
• State-of-the-art library media centers

High Schools (Grades 9 – 12)

• Options within required course areas
• Foreign language offerings in French, Spanish, German, and some Latin & Greek
• School-to-Work programming
• Advanced placement programs
• College credit classes for those eligible
• Diverse performing and creative arts opportunities
• Special education programming
• Talented and gifted programming
• Reserve Officer Training Corps. (ROTC) at two high schools
• State-of-the-art library media centers

 Employee Top Awards –

• Iowa Teacher of the Year
• Iowa Principal of the Year
• Iowa Central Office Administrator of the Year

Facilities –

• 19 Elementary Schools
• 6 Intermediate Schools
• 4 High Schools
• 4 Early Childhood Learning Centers
• 1 Athletic Stadium
• 1 Operations Center
• 1 Achievement Services Center
   

Facility Maintenance – One of first counties in the state in which voters approved a one-cent sales tax to fund major school renovations, resulting in nearly $120 million over 10 years for the district

Food Service – Innovative and award-winning breakfast and lunch programs provided in all schools.

Free and Reduced Priced Meals – 63% of students receive free and reduced meals

Guidelines for Elementary Class Sizes –

• Kindergarten through first grade – 20 students
• Second through third grade – 21 students
• Fourth through fifth grade – 26 students

Professional Employees’ Credentials –

• Bachelors’ Degrees – 100%
• Masters’ Degrees – 47%
• Specialist or Doctorate Degrees – 2%

Program & School Top Awards –

• Iowa FINE – First in the Nation in Education – Awards
• U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award
• Iowa Diversity Award
• American Association of School Administrators Leadership for Learning Award
• American School Board Journal Magna Award
• American Red Cross National School and Community Award for Youth in Health and Safety
• Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association and Association of School Business Officials
• National Association of Partners in Education Outstanding Partner Awards
• National School Public Relations Association Communications Awards
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Lights School System Partner of the Year

Student Top Awards (Just A Few Recent Ones!) –

• Best Student Long Film Award in Iowa
• Top Iowa Individual Student and Team MathCounts Awards
• Top Ratings in Instrumental & Vocal Music
• SECME National Mousetrap Car Competition Second-Place Team
• INVENT IOWA Competitors
• Know Your Constitution winners
• AP Scholar of Distinction
• Semifinalist in National Merit Scholarship

Student Enrollment (K-12) – 15,305 students (October 3,2011 - Official Enrollment Count Day)

Student Diversity –

• 59% White
• 18.7% Black of African-American
• 12.1% Hispanic
• 7.7% Multi-racial
• 2% Asian
• 0.4% American Indian or Alaskan Native
• 0.1% Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
   

Student/Teacher Ratio –

• Elementary – 13:1
• Intermediate – 13:1
• High School – 15:1

Teacher Data –

Transportation Services – Free district bus transportation provided to students when the district from their homes to schools exceeds the following:

• Elementary School – 1.5 miles
• Intermediate School – 2 miles
• High School – 3 miles