Dunbar Vocational High School is a public four-year vocational high school located in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Dunbar opened in 1942 and is operated by the Chicago Public Schools district.
Serving 355 students in grades 9-12, Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤5% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student-teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 355 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 75-79% (Btm 50% in IL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district in Chicago, IL, covering an area of approximately 233.8 square miles. The typical drive to the school ranges from 20 to 30 minutes, with an average distance of 11.2 miles to the zone's edge and a maximum distance of 19.9 miles to the furthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School's student population of 355 students has declined by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 31 teachers has grown by 10% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
355 students
Total Classroom Teachers
31 teachers
Year Founded
1942
Campus Size
12 acres
School Motto
Excellence since 1942
School Rankings
Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,542 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School is 0.08, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#3352 out of 3542 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
50%
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
13:1
Hispanic
3%
29%
Black
96%
16%
White
1%
45%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
75-79%
87.6%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)100%
29.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
43%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (10-11)
4%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Navy and Gold
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School's ranking?
Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School is ranked #3352 out of 3,542 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What schools are Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School often compared to?
Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Epic Academy High School, Excel Academy - Englewood High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% IL state average), while ≤5% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School?
The graduation rate of Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School is 75-79%, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 87.6%.
How many students attend Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School?
355 students attend Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
96% of Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School students are Black, 3% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School?
Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School has a student ration of 11:1, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School offer ?
Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School part of?
Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School is part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299.
In what neighborhood is Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School located?
Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School is located in the South Commons neighborhood of Chicago, IL.
School Calendar
View the Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School yearly calendar below.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
I feel that Dunbar is a very good school to go to because it has many things to offer. When you become a sophmore you have 22 shops to choose from, for instance:cosmetology you can get your license when you become a senior instead of going to college and getting your license. Dunbar is a well-known school and we also don't have a lot of violence but you know every school has violence in their school and in their enviroment.
5 10/10/2025
i have a child who would like to attened dumbar high school and is looking forward to coming there
1 10/10/2025
This graduation going on is extremely loud and intrusive. It's a vocational school. Not necessary to require the whole block to take part in this ceremony.
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