Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.)
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is a historically black public secondary school located in Washington, D.C. The school was America's first public high school for black students.
| Dunbar High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
101 N Street Northwest Washington, D.C. 20001 United States | |
| Coordinates | 38°54′31″N 77°00′51″W |
| Information | |
| Former name | Preparatory High School for Colored Youth |
| School type | Public high school |
| Established | 1870 |
| Status | Open |
| School board | District of Columbia State Board of Education |
| School district | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| NCES District ID | 1100030 |
| School code | DC-001-467 |
| CEEB code | 090055 |
| NCES School ID | 110003000079 |
| Principal | Nadine Smith |
| Faculty | 42 (on an FTE basis) |
| Grades | 9 to 12 |
| Enrollment | 666 (2020–2021) |
| • Grade 9 | 222 |
| • Grade 10 | 173 |
| • Grade 11 | 115 |
| • Grade 12 | 156 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 15.86 |
| Campus type | Urban |
| Color(s) | Black and crimson |
| Athletics conference | DCIAA |
| Nickname | Crimson Tide |
| USNWR ranking | 13,394–17,857 |
| Communities served | Ward 5 |
| Website | dhs |
The school is located in the Truxton Circle neighborhood of Northwest Washington, two blocks from the intersection of New Jersey and New York avenues. Dunbar, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the District of Columbia Public Schools.
From the early 20th century to the 1950s, Dunbar became known as the classical academic high school for black students in segregated public schools. As all public school teachers were federal civil servants, the school's teachers received pay equal to white teachers in other schools in the district. It attracted high-quality faculty, many with advanced degrees, including doctorates. Parents sent their children to the school from across the city because of its high standards. Many of its alumni graduated from top-quality colleges and universities and gained professional degrees.