Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
JONES JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
JONES JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. Located in 1969 at 1090 Alta Vista, the school was the site of the home of George Wallace JONES. In 1969 it was the focus of a controversial plan of having the public and parochial schools divide the job of teaching junior high students. Prior to this, public school teachers taught their courses (math, science, industrial technology, consumer studies, art, music and Spanish) within the parochial home schools. The program was then moved to STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL and finally to the home at the old ACADEMY OF THE VISITATION (THE). (1)
The new school was called Washington Junior High School Annex. In 1976 it was renamed Jones Junior High School. (2)
During the 1990-1991 academic year, Jones had an enrollment of 394 students of which 197 were shared-time students from the parochial schools. In 1995 Jones was still the half-day school to students from Holy Ghost, Holy Trinity/Sacred Heart, Nativity, and Resurrection Catholic schools.
In 2008 the building became Jones Early Childhood Center.
In 2011 the Alternative Learning Center moved to Jones. The "project based learning" strategy was continued with a school-wide project, the tenth anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy. CONNECT moved to the Forum. This program, targeted students considered at risk of dropping out of school in grades 8, 9, and 10, two semesters of intensive support with gradual return to their home high school. (3)
In 2014 U. S. History students studying with Mr. Tim Hitzler researched, designed and created a "Civil Rights in Dubuque" exhibit. On December 16, 2014 the exhibit was shown to the community at the MULTICULTURAL FAMILY CENTER where it remained on display. The following is the exhibit and its documentation:
In 2014 the Jones Campus was renamed the Alta Vista Campus, honoring the original home, Alta Vista Mansion. The building, was renamed the Alternative Learning Center over concerns about the pro-slavery views held by George Wallace Jones prior to the Civil War. (4)
The Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools announced on March 24, 2017 a $16,700 grant had been received from the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. The money was to be used to purchase tools and equipment for a "maker-space" at the Alternative Learning Center which served 11th and 12th grade at-risk students. The "maker-space" would allow students to "produce products to support project-based learning." District officials said the addition would give students equal access to equipment available at the two traditional high schools. (5)
In 2019 students once educated by the ANNA B. LAWTHER ACADEMY were re-located to an expanded Alta Vista Campus.
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Source:
1. Krapfl, Mike. "Jones Split Helps Public, Parochial Schools," Telegraph Herald, May 21, 1995, p. 3A
2. Ibid.
3. Olson, David. "What a Great Day for DCSD Middle Schools and High Schools," Julien's Journal, September 2011, p. 55
4. Becker, Stacey. "District Exceeds 2013-2014 Authorized Budget," Telegraph Herald, October 14, 2014 p. 3A
5. "Grant Funds ALC 'Makerspace," Telegraph Herald, March 24, 2017, p. 3A
