Average
#617 of 990 schools in CT
Paul Laurence Dunbar School
Elementary School · Bridgeport School District
445 Union Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06607
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Connecticut schools
#617 of 990
In Bridgeport
#13 of 44
public schools
In district
#11 of 36
Bridgeport School District
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Paul Laurence Dunbar School
Elementary School in Bridgeport · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Jettie S. Tisdale School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Barnum School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Paul Laurence Dunbar School
Paul Laurence Dunbar School is a public elementary school in Bridgeport, CT, part of Bridgeport School District. Paul Laurence Dunbar School serves approximately 394 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Paul Laurence Dunbar School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #617 of 990 schools in CT.
Structured state assessment records for Paul Laurence Dunbar School show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- District avg 4.8
- CT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Paul Laurence Dunbar School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
33% of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Paul Laurence Dunbar School — Students at Paul Laurence Dunbar School score 10% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from CT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.5/10.
How Paul Laurence Dunbar School Compares
See how Paul Laurence Dunbar School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
445 Union Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06607
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paul Laurence Dunbar School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BRIDGEPORT HOPE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jettie S. Tisdale School (rated 5.7/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Six-Six Magnet School (rated 5.6/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bridgeport, see our Bridgeport schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jettie S. Tisdale School Bridgeport | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Barnum School Bridgeport | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Waltersville School Bridgeport | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Hall School Bridgeport | 1.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Edison School Bridgeport | 1.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Luis Munoz Marin School Bridgeport | 1.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Bridgeport | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Warren Harding High School Bridgeport | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| The Bridge Academy Bridgeport | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Bullard-Havens Technical High School Bridgeport | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| ASPIRE LIVING AND LEARNING ACADEMY Stratford | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Capital Preparatory Harbor School Bridgeport | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Franklin School Stratford | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Stratford Academy - Johnson House Stratford | 1.3 mi | 2.3 |
| BRIDGEPORT HOPE SCHOOL Bridgeport | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Stratford Academy - Victoria Soto School Stratford | 1.4 mi | 2.4 |
| High Horizons Magnet School Bridgeport | 1.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Six-Six Magnet School Bridgeport | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Multicultural Magnet School Bridgeport | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Beardsley School Bridgeport | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 06607 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,555
Median Home Value
$218,500
Median Rent
$1,398/mo
Population
7,709
College Educated
7.4%
Homeownership
41.5%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
33.2%
Median Age
31.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Farm Hill School Middletown, CT | 5.6 |
| GREENWICH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Greenwich, CT | 5.6 |
| Gaffney Elementary School New Britain, CT | 5.6 |
| John S. Martinez Sea and Sky STEM School New Haven, CT | 5.6 |
| Marvin Elementary School Norwalk, CT | 5.6 |
| Northeast School Stamford, CT | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar School
What grades does Paul Laurence Dunbar School serve?
Paul Laurence Dunbar School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar School?
Paul Laurence Dunbar School has an enrollment of approximately 394 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar School?
The student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paul Laurence Dunbar School rank in CT?
Paul Laurence Dunbar School ranks #617 of 990 schools in CT.
What is Paul Laurence Dunbar School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Laurence Dunbar School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Laurence Dunbar School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paul Laurence Dunbar School has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar School a charter school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar School a Title I school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul Laurence Dunbar School?
92.6% of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 394
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Connecticut Planning Region 2
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.5%
- Phone
- (203) 576-7194
Resources & Links
District
Bridgeport School District- District Enrollment
- 19,591
- Schools in District
- 36
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,755
- District Rank
- #11 of 36
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