Paul Laurence Dunbar High

Summary:

Paul Laurence Dunbar High is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, serving 1,067 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Baltimore City Public Schools district, which is ranked 24th out of 25 districts in Maryland and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Paul Laurence Dunbar High has a significantly higher percentage of African American students (84.44%) compared to the surrounding schools, which range from 44.81% to 98.04% African American. Academically, the school's performance on MCAP tests is consistently lower than the Baltimore City Public Schools and Maryland state averages across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, only 8.6% of students were proficient or better in MCAP Mathematics, compared to 10.2% for Baltimore City and 24.1% for Maryland. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Maryland high schools, with a ranking of 133 out of 146 in the 2023-2024 school year and a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Paul Laurence Dunbar High struggles academically, some of the nearby schools, such as The Reach! Partnership School, Renaissance Academy, and Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High, perform even worse on MCAP tests and have lower school rankings. However, the Baltimore School for the Arts, located within a mile of Paul Laurence Dunbar High, stands out as a high-performing school, ranking 21st out of 146 Maryland high schools in 2023-2024 and achieving significantly higher MCAP scores than the other schools in the area.

Detail:

Public 9-12

1400 Orleans Street
Baltimore, MD 21231

(443) 642-4478

District: Baltimore City Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
133^rd of 146 Maryland High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $18,052

Student/teacher ratio: 22.9

Number of students: 1,101

Racial breakdown:

African American:

82.2%

Hispanic:

15.7%

White:

1.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 74.8%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Paul Laurence Dunbar High ranks worse than 91.1% of high schools in Maryland. It also ranks 7^th among 10 ranked high schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 21.16. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (82.2%), Hispanic (15.7%), White (1.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 74.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar High is 22.9, which is the highest among 33 high schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools District! (See more...)

Compare Paul Laurence Dunbar High employs 48 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Paul Laurence Dunbar High is $18,052. 28 high schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Paul Laurence Dunbar High was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Paul Laurence Dunbar High 133^rd of 146 Maryland public high schools. (See Paul Laurence Dunbar High in the ranking list.)

Baltimore City Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Baltimore City Public Schools 24^th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Paul Laurence Dunbar High

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MD State Percentile
2004	63.49	6^th	201	97.0%
2005	52.16	95^th	204	53.4%
2006	59.15	79^th	204	61.3%
2007	62.59	79^th	209	62.2%
2008	77.18	51^st	214	76.2%
2009	76.30	48^th	213	77.5%
2010	59.64	121^st	220	45.0%
2011	40.80	123^rd	183	32.8%
2013	44.10	119^th	185	35.7%
2014	40.33	164^th	231	29.0%
2015	47.09	134^th	233	42.5%
2016	37.99	148^th	233	36.5%
2017	18.51	149^th	180	17.2%
2018	24.51	140^th	197	28.9%
2022	25.90	160^th	225	28.9%
2024	21.16	133^rd	146	8.9%

See the entire list of Maryland High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Maryland State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Paul Laurence Dunbar High

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1989	1	880	1	0	1	n/a	n/a	883
1990	2	739	1	0	1	n/a	n/a	743
1991	2	681	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	685
1992	2	765	4	0	0	n/a	n/a	771
1993	1	839	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	843
1994	5	971	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	979
1995	10	1097	3	0	3	n/a	n/a	1113
1996	10	1097	3	0	3	n/a	n/a	1113
1997	9	1132	3	0	2	n/a	n/a	1146
1998	5	1010	2	0	2	n/a	n/a	1019
1999	5	978	3	0	1	n/a	n/a	987
2000	4	972	2	1	1	n/a	n/a	980
2001	4	930	3	1	2	n/a	n/a	940
2002	4	772	3	3	0	n/a	n/a	782
2003	4	772	3	3	0	n/a	n/a	782
2004	7	670	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	681
2005	4	589	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	596
2006	7	491	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	501
2007	11	489	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	505
2008	9	431	4	2	0	n/a	n/a	446
2009	8	436	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	449
2010	6	540	4	3	0	n/a	n/a	553
2011	5	705	4	3	0	0	0	717
2012	11	778	3	6	0	0	0	798
2013	12	825	6	9	1	0	0	853
2014	13	876	4	10	4	0	0	907
2015	15	825	5	11	1	0	0	857
2016	10	821	5	18	1	0	0	855
2017	12	771	3	29	0	0	3	818
2018	9	757	4	36	1	0	4	811
2019	9	812	5	49	1	0	5	881
2020	15	788	3	52	2	0	8	868
2021	22	826	2	66	3	1	8	928
2022	17	859	4	102	2	3	8	995
2023	16	901	1	140	4	1	4	1067
2024	15	905	2	173	3	1	2	1101

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Paul Laurence Dunbar High

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	883	41.0	21.5	n/a
1990	743	34.0	21.8	42.9
1991	685	31.6	21.6	38
1992	771	30.1	25.6	47.1
1993	843	40.0	21.1	43.1
1994	979	43.0	22.8	45.3
1995	1113	48.1	23.1	43.4
1996	1113	48.1	23.1	43.4
1997	1146	51.7	22.2	33
1998	1019	50.0	20.4	37.9
1999	987	50.0	19.7	38.5
2000	980	49.0	20.0	44.7
2001	940	50.0	18.8	36.9
2002	782	51.5	15.2	45.7
2003	782	51.5	15.2	45.7
2004	681	46.0	14.8	55.2
2005	596	39.0	15.3	55.5
2006	501	37.0	13.5	53.7
2007	505	36.0	14.0	58.6
2008	446	30.0	14.9	57.6
2009	449	26.5	16.9	60.4
2010	553	31.0	17.8	72
2011	717	38.0	18.8	71.3
2012	798	43.0	18.5	66.9
2013	853	48.5	17.5	69.6
2014	907	49.5	18.3	70.2
2015	857	54.0	15.8	73.3
2016	855	48.0	17.8	79.3
2017	818	45.0	18.1	100
2018	811	40.0	20.2	100
2019	881	37.0	23.8	100
2020	868	38.0	22.8	52.6
2021	928	41.5	22.3	62.5
2022	995	38.0	26.1	66.2
2023	1067	43.0	24.8	73.2
2024	1101	48.0	22.9	74.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Paul Laurence Dunbar High

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	883	41.0	21.5	n/a
1990	743	34.0	21.8	42.9
1991	685	31.6	21.6	38
1992	771	30.1	25.6	47.1
1993	843	40.0	21.1	43.1
1994	979	43.0	22.8	45.3
1995	1113	48.1	23.1	43.4
1996	1113	48.1	23.1	43.4
1997	1146	51.7	22.2	33
1998	1019	50.0	20.4	37.9
1999	987	50.0	19.7	38.5
2000	980	49.0	20.0	44.7
2001	940	50.0	18.8	36.9
2002	782	51.5	15.2	45.7
2003	782	51.5	15.2	45.7
2004	681	46.0	14.8	55.2
2005	596	39.0	15.3	55.5
2006	501	37.0	13.5	53.7
2007	505	36.0	14.0	58.6
2008	446	30.0	14.9	57.6
2009	449	26.5	16.9	60.4
2010	553	31.0	17.8	72
2011	717	38.0	18.8	71.3
2012	798	43.0	18.5	66.9
2013	853	48.5	17.5	69.6
2014	907	49.5	18.3	70.2
2015	857	54.0	15.8	73.3
2016	855	48.0	17.8	79.3
2017	818	45.0	18.1	100
2018	811	40.0	20.2	100
2019	881	37.0	23.8	100
2020	868	38.0	22.8	52.6
2021	928	41.5	22.3	62.5
2022	995	38.0	26.1	66.2
2023	1067	43.0	24.8	73.2
2024	1101	48.0	22.9	74.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Paul Laurence Dunbar High

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,238 (9.6%)	$11,611 (90.4%)	$12,848
2020	$1,154 (8.9%)	$11,778 (91.1%)	$12,932
2021	$1,392 (10.4%)	$11,981 (89.6%)	$13,373
2022	$2,651 (18.8%)	$11,434 (81.2%)	$14,085
2023	$416 (2.3%)	$17,636 (97.7%)	$18,052

Data source: Maryland Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Paul Laurence Dunbar High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	881	1067	21.1%
African American	812	901	11%
American Indian	1	4	300%
Asian	5	1	80%
Hispanic	49	140	185.7%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	9	16	77.8%
Two or More Races	5	4	20%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	73.2%	26.8%

Schools Near Paul Laurence Dunbar High

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MCAP Mathematics (2024)			MCAP English Language Arts (2024)					MCAP Algebra I (2024)	MCAP Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 10th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Algebra I End of Course	MCAP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Paul Laurence Dunbar High	Public	9-12	1400 Orleans Street	Baltimore	21231	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(443) 642-4478	1,101	48	22.9	74.8%	15 (1.4%)	905 (82.2%)	173 (15.7%)	2 (0.2%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	21.2	133^rd of 146 public high schools	8.9%					(n/a)			8.6				40.1	40.1	8.6		$18,052	$416	$17,636
National Academy Foundation	Public	6-12	540 N Caroline Street	Baltimore	21205	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 984-1594	753	52	14.4	66.5%	7 (0.9%)	305 (40.5%)	429 (57.0%)	4 (0.5%)	4 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)								(n/a)		5.5			9.4	7.1	8.6	7.6			$20,237	$914	$19,323
Eager Street Academy	Public	7-12	926 Greenmount Avenue	Baltimore	21202	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 234-1815	59	9	6.5	50.8%	2 (3.4%)	55 (93.2%)	1 (1.7%)	1 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)											$47,348	$280	$47,068
Baltimore School for the Arts	Public	9-12	712 Cathedral Street	Baltimore	21201	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(443) 642-5165	431	28	15.3	24.6%	157 (36.4%)	234 (54.3%)	19 (4.4%)	8 (1.9%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	8 (1.9%)	66.1	21^st of 146 public high schools	85.6%		53.2	49^th of 127 public high schools	61.4%	28			15.1				77.7	77.7	15.1		$23,575	$305	$23,270
Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women	Public, Charter	6-12	128 W Franklin Street	Baltimore	21201	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-2048	470	42	11.1	78.9%	3 (0.6%)	460 (97.9%)	6 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)				25.3	30.4	23.9	29.4	26.9			$24,261	$2,105	$22,156
Baltimore Design School	Public	6-12	1500 Barclay Street	Baltimore	21202	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-2311	504	34	14.8	75.2%	28 (5.6%)	444 (88.1%)	22 (4.4%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.0%)	37.3	94^th of 146 public high schools	35.6%					(n/a)	8.2			15.2	41.1	24.2	60.3	36.6	6.2	8.1	$19,060	$2,613	$16,447
Digital Harbor High School	Public	9-12	1100 Covington Street	Baltimore	21230	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 984-1256	1,722	85	20.2	74.5%	112 (6.5%)	1,076 (62.5%)	504 (29.3%)	9 (0.5%)	3 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	15 (0.9%)								(n/a)							26.5	26.5			$19,259	$618	$18,640
Joseph C. Briscoe Academy	Public	7-12	900 Druid Hill Avenue	Baltimore	21201	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 396-0774	22	15	1.4	90.9%	0 (0.0%)	21 (95.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (4.5%)								(n/a)
The Reach! Partnership School	Public	9-12	2555 Harford Road	Baltimore	21218	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-2291	755	47	16.0	82.8%	12 (1.6%)	681 (90.2%)	53 (7.0%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.5%)	3 (0.4%)								(n/a)							22.1	22.1			$23,115	$1,077	$22,038
Renaissance Academy	Public	9-12	1301 McCulloh Street	Baltimore	21217	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 984-3164	196	22	8.9	90.8%	3 (1.5%)	178 (90.8%)	12 (6.1%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.0%)								(n/a)							13.3	13.3			$28,753	$1,377	$27,376

Frequently Asked Questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar High

What district is Paul Laurence Dunbar High in?

Baltimore City Public Schools

How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar High?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,101 students attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High.

What is the racial makeup of Paul Laurence Dunbar High?

Students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High are 82% African American, 16% Hispanic, 1% White.

Is Paul Laurence Dunbar High a good school?

Paul Laurence Dunbar High ranks in the bottom 8.9% of Maryland high schools.

What schools feed into Paul Laurence Dunbar High?

Rate Paul Laurence Dunbar High!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.