Average
#465 of 990 schools in CT
Top 47% in state
Paul Laurence Dunbar School
Elementary School · Bridgeport School District
445 Union Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06607
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bridgeport
#13 of 44
public schools
Connecticut elementary schools
#284 of 595
In district
#11 of 36
Bridgeport School District
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Paul Laurence Dunbar School
Paul Laurence Dunbar School is a regular public elementary school in Bridgeport, Connecticut, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 394 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a mid-size city setting, Paul Laurence Dunbar School offers a range of educational opportunities despite facing challenges reflected in its MySchoolScout Rating of 4.0 out of 10 and state ranking of #809 out of 996 schools in Connecticut.
The school's academic performance shows room for growth, with only 17% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 4% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. Paul Laurence Dunbar School is situated in a vibrant urban community where educators focus on fostering student development and engagement despite the current academic challenges.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Paul Laurence Dunbar School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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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 6 test records from CT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Paul Laurence Dunbar School Compares
See how Paul Laurence Dunbar School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 18% (2019) to 15% (2022).
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 Barnum School (rated 7.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Six-Six Magnet School (rated 7.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.4 |
| Barnum School Bridgeport | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Waltersville School Bridgeport | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Hall School Bridgeport | 1.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Edison School Bridgeport | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Luis Munoz Marin School Bridgeport | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Bridgeport | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Warren Harding High School Bridgeport | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| The Bridge Academy Bridgeport | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Bullard-Havens Technical High School Bridgeport | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| ASPIRE LIVING AND LEARNING ACADEMY Stratford | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Capital Preparatory Harbor School Bridgeport | 1.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Franklin School Stratford | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Stratford Academy - Johnson House Stratford | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| BRIDGEPORT HOPE SCHOOL Bridgeport | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Stratford Academy - Victoria Soto School Stratford | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| High Horizons Magnet School Bridgeport | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Six-Six Magnet School Bridgeport | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Multicultural Magnet School Bridgeport | 1.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Beardsley School Bridgeport | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paul Laurence Dunbar School has a median household income of $49,555. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $218,500, with a median rent of $1,398/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anna E. Norris School East Hartford, CT | 6.4 |
| Bradley School Derby, CT | 6.4 |
| C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet New London, CT | 6.4 |
| Duffy School West Hartford, CT | 6.4 |
| Frenchtown Elementary School Trumbull, CT | 6.4 |
| Frisbie School Wolcott, CT | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #465 out of 990 schools in CT.
What is Paul Laurence Dunbar School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Laurence Dunbar School has a composite rating of 6.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Paul Laurence Dunbar School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul Laurence Dunbar School has 4.2% math proficiency and 16.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,862/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bridgeport). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (203) 576-7194
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bridgeport School District- District Enrollment
- 19,591
- Schools in District
- 36
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,755
- District Rank
- #11 of 36
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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