Dunbar High School
Dunbar High School serves 617 students in grades 9-12.
Dunbar High School placed in the bottom 50% of all schools in District Of Columbia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 2% (which is lower than the District Of Columbia state average of 32%) for the 2018-19 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 17% (which is lower than the District Of Columbia state average of 38%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is equal to the District Of Columbia state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the District Of Columbia state average of 89% (majority Black).
School Overview
Dunbar High School's student population of 617 students has grown by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 49 teachers has declined by 15% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
617 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
49 teachers
Students by Grade
School Calendar
School Calendar
View the Dunbar High School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
Last Day of School
June 22, 2022 (Wednesday)
School Rankings
Dunbar High School is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 212 schools in District Of Columbia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2018-19 school year.
The diversity score of Dunbar High School is 0.10, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.50. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#196 out of 212 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
2%
32%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
17%
38%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
4%
17%
Black
95%
68%
White
1%
11%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
2%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
75-79%
66%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (11-12)
5%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: 2017-2018 (latest school year available) 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.
School Reviews
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