Dunbar High School

101 N St. Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(School attendance zone shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 728 students in grades 9-12, Dunbar High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in District Of Columbia for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%) .
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 2% (which is lower than the District Of Columbia state average of 32%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 17% (which is lower than the District Of Columbia state average of 38%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the District Of Columbia state level of 11:1.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 728 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • : 75% (Btm 50% in DC)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 2% (Top 5%)
  • : 17% (Top 10%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), DC Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Dunbar High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in District Of Columbia for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Dunbar High School's student population of 728 students has grown by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 46 teachers has declined by 8% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
728 students
This chart display total students of Dunbar High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Gender %
This chart display gender of Dunbar High School
Total Classroom Teachers
46 teachers
This chart display the total teachers of Dunbar High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart display the students of Dunbar High School by grade.

School Rankings

Dunbar High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 212 schools in District Of Columbia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Dunbar High School is 0.11, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.54. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Definition of Terms 2021-2022 School Year Data
This School
State Level (DC)
#196 out of 212 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart display the overall school rank of Dunbar High School, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
(18-19)
2%
32%
This chart display the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Dunbar High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
(18-19)
17%
38%
This chart display the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Dunbar High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
11:1
This chart display the student teacher ratio of Dunbar High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
2%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Dunbar High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Hispanic
5%
17%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Dunbar High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Black
94%
65%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Dunbar High School and the percentage of Black public school students in District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
White
n/a
13%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
3%
This chart display the percentage of students of two or more races in Dunbar High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Dunbar High School.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in DC.
0.11
This chart display the diversity score of Dunbar High School and the public school average diversity score of District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
75%
73%
This chart display graduation rate of Dunbar High School and public school graduation rate of District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
90%
52%
This chart display the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Dunbar High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (11-12)
5%
5%
This chart display the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Dunbar High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in District Of Columbia by year, with the latest 2011-12 school year data.
Source: 2021-2022 (latest school year available) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), DC Dept. of Education

School Notes

  • Dunbar High School is a public secondary school located in Washington, D.C., United States.
  • Dunbar, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the District of Columbia Public Schools.
  • Dunbar was the first high school for black children. It was known for its excellent academics, enough so that many black parents would move to Washington specifically so their children could attend it. Its faculty was paid well by the standards of the time, earning parity pay to Washington's white school teachers. It also boasted a remarkably high number of graduates who went on to higher education, and a generally successful student body.
  • Following desegregation and deconstruction of the original facility, its prestige dropped notably. As of 2006, the campus is situated in a newer, but far less architecturally appealing facility in Northwest Washington.
  • Dunbar is perhaps best known for its athletic programs, and particularly its football team. Some of Dunbar's recent graduates have gone on to succeed in NCAA football and the NFL. Joshua Cribbs, who graduated in 2001, was the starting quarterback for four years at Kent State University and currently is a member of the Cleveland Browns. Vernon Davis,who graduated in 2003, was the number 6 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft and is now a tight end for the San Fransisco 49ers. Also a current Dunbar senior, wide receiver Arrelious Benn, is among the top college prospects in the nation.
  • Notable Alumni: Notable graduates include:Charles Drew, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Senator Ed Brooke, Charles Hamilton Houston.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dunbar High School's ranking?
Dunbar High School is ranked #196 out of 212 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in District Of Columbia.
What schools are Dunbar High School often compared to?
Dunbar High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like H.d. Woodson High School, Mckinley Technology High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
2% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 32% DC state average), while 17% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 38% DC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Dunbar High School?
The graduation rate of Dunbar High School is 75%, which is higher than the District Of Columbia state average of 73%.
How many students attend Dunbar High School?
728 students attend Dunbar High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
94% of Dunbar High School students are Black, 5% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Dunbar High School?
Dunbar High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the District Of Columbia state average of 11:1.
What grades does Dunbar High School offer ?
Dunbar High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Dunbar High School part of?

School Calendar

View the Dunbar High School yearly calendar below.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 728 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • : 75% (Btm 50%)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 2% (Top 5%)
  • : 17% (Top 10%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), DC Dept. of Education

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