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Average

#1160 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Paul Dunbar Lawrence School

Elementary School · Phoenix Elementary District (4256)

707 W GRANT ST, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Enrollment

158

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,160 of 2,006

In Phoenix

#203 of 422

public schools

In district

#10 of 14

Phoenix Elementary District (4256)

School environment

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Paul Dunbar Lawrence School

5.9/10

Elementary School in Phoenix · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Vista College Preparatory - Hadley

2.4/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Lowell Elementary School

5.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Paul Dunbar Lawrence School

Paul Dunbar Lawrence School is a public elementary school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Phoenix Elementary District (4256). Paul Dunbar Lawrence School serves approximately 158 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Paul Dunbar Lawrence School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,160 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Paul Dunbar Lawrence School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • AZ avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 158 students, Paul Dunbar Lawrence School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 9.9:1 students to teachers, Paul Dunbar Lawrence School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

66% of students at Paul Dunbar Lawrence School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,785
Chronic Absenteeism65.8%

Paul Dunbar Lawrence School — Students at Paul Dunbar Lawrence School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
43%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
18%
2016
Math
23%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
21%
2018
Math
16%
ELA
24%
2019
Math
16%
ELA
24%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.6/10.

How Paul Dunbar Lawrence School Compares

See how Paul Dunbar Lawrence School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
42th percentile in AZ
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
65.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

707 W GRANT ST, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paul Dunbar Lawrence School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Augustus H. Shaw Montessori (rated 9.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Faith North Early Childhood Learning Center (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ASU Preparatory Academy- Phoenix Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Vista College Preparatory - Hadley Phoenix 0.2 mi 2.4
Lowell Elementary School Phoenix 0.5 mi 5.8
Mary Mcleod Bethune School Phoenix 0.6 mi 6.4
Capitol Elementary School Phoenix 1.0 mi 6.9
City View High School Phoenix 1.1 mi 5.5
Friendly House Academia Del Pueblo Elem Phoenix 1.1 mi 2.6
Arthur M Hamilton School Phoenix 1.3 mi 3.0
Kenilworth Elementary School Phoenix 1.5 mi 5.5
Phoenix Union Bioscience High School Phoenix 1.5 mi 9.0
Faith North Early Childhood Learning Center Phoenix 1.4 mi 7.7
ASU Preparatory Academy- Phoenix Elementary Phoenix 1.5 mi 7.0
ASU Preparatory Academy- Phoenix High School Phoenix 1.5 mi 7.9
ASU Preparatory Academy - Phoenix Middle School Phoenix 1.5 mi 5.7
THE FAMILY SCHOOL Phoenix 1.7 mi
Silvestre S Herrera School Phoenix 1.5 mi 6.4
Metropolitan Arts Institute Phoenix 1.8 mi 6.5
Franklin Police and Fire High School Phoenix 1.8 mi 6.9
Arizona School For The Arts Phoenix 1.8 mi 7.1
Genesis Academy Phoenix 2.0 mi 7.0
Augustus H. Shaw Montessori Phoenix 1.9 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85007 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,833

Median Home Value

$447,000

Median Rent

$1,079/mo

Population

13,555

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

44.2%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

22.8%

Median Age

34.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arizona Autism Charter School Phoenix, AZ 5.9
Ford Elementary Tucson, AZ 5.9
ST LOUIS THE KING SCHOOL Glendale, AZ 5.9
AmeriSchools Academy - Yuma Phoenix, AZ 6.0
Discover U Youngtown, AZ 6.0
Montessori Charter School of Flagstaff - Campus Flagstaff, AZ 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paul Dunbar Lawrence School

What grades does Paul Dunbar Lawrence School serve?

Paul Dunbar Lawrence School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Paul Dunbar Lawrence School?

Paul Dunbar Lawrence School has an enrollment of approximately 158 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Dunbar Lawrence School?

The student-teacher ratio at Paul Dunbar Lawrence School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paul Dunbar Lawrence School rank in AZ?

Paul Dunbar Lawrence School ranks #1,160 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Paul Dunbar Lawrence School's MySchoolScout rating?

Paul Dunbar Lawrence School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Paul Dunbar Lawrence School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Paul Dunbar Lawrence School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Paul Dunbar Lawrence School a charter school?

No, Paul Dunbar Lawrence School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paul Dunbar Lawrence School a Title I school?

No, Paul Dunbar Lawrence School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
59 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
55 Good Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
158
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
65.8%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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