Average
#161 of 240 schools in DC
Dunbar HS
High School · District of Columbia Public Schools
101 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
Enrollment
984
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
984
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Washington
#161 of 239
public schools
District of Columbia high schools
#31 of 40
In district
#85 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Dunbar HS
Dunbar High School serves 984 students in grades 9-12 in Washington, D.C.'s vibrant urban core at 101 N St. NW. With 75 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1, providing opportunities for more personalized attention in the classroom.
The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in student achievement. Currently, 19% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts across grade levels, while mathematics results indicate the need for intensive support and intervention to help students reach grade-level expectations. These outcomes place Dunbar at #206 among the District's 240 high schools, highlighting the urgent need for continued educational investment and support.
Despite academic hurdles, Dunbar serves a community with notable strengths. The surrounding 20001 ZIP code reflects a diverse urban neighborhood where 76% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $133,211. This educated community context, combined with median home values of $823,800, suggests strong potential for family engagement and community partnership in supporting student success.
The school operates within one of the nation's most dynamic metropolitan areas, offering students access to the rich cultural, educational, and professional opportunities that define Washington, D.C.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Dunbar HS 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Dunbar HS — Students at Dunbar HS score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores DC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from DC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.
How Dunbar HS Compares
See how Dunbar HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2% (2019) to 0.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 19% (2022).
Location
101 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dunbar HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Girls Global Academy PCS (rated 7.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McKinley Technology HS (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Benjamin Banneker HS (rated 6.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Friendship PCS - Armstrong Elementary Washington | 0.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Friendship PCS - Armstrong Middle Washington | 0.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - J.F. Cook Washington | 0.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Walker-Jones Education Campus Washington | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| KIPP DC - WILL Academy PCS Washington | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| KIPP DC - Grow Academy PCS Washington | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| KIPP DC - Lead Academy PCS Washington | 0.3 mi | 3.9 |
| GONZAGA COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Washington | 0.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Center City PCS - Shaw Washington | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Langley ES Washington | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Harmony DC PCS - School of Excellence Washington | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| McKinley Technology HS Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| McKinley MS Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Cleveland ES Washington | 0.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Seaton ES Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Two Rivers PCS - 4th Street Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Girls Global Academy PCS Washington | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Benjamin Banneker HS Washington | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan Washington | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| TEMPLETON ACADEMY Washington | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$138,730
Median Home Value
$844,500
Median Rent
$2,464/mo
Population
44,022
College Educated
77.7%
Homeownership
33.8%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
32.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dunbar HS has a median household income of $138,730. It is a well-educated community where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $844,500, with a median rent of $2,464/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Roosevelt HS Washington, DC | 5.6 |
| Roosevelt STAY HS Washington, DC | 5.6 |
| Cardozo Education Campus Washington, DC | 6.0 |
| Coolidge HS Washington, DC | 5.1 |
| Friendship PCS - Collegiate Academy Washington, DC | 6.3 |
| Benjamin Banneker HS Washington, DC | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dunbar HS
What grades does Dunbar HS serve?
Dunbar HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Dunbar HS?
Dunbar HS has an enrollment of approximately 984 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dunbar HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Dunbar HS is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dunbar HS rank in DC?
Dunbar HS is ranked #161 out of 240 schools in DC.
What is Dunbar HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Dunbar HS has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Dunbar HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dunbar HS has 1.3% math proficiency and 18.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dunbar HS a charter school?
No, Dunbar HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dunbar HS a Title I school?
No, Dunbar HS is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 88 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 91 Rider’s Paradise
- Bike Score
- 84 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,514/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Washington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 984
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 75
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- District of Columbia
- Phone
- (202) 698-3762
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
District of Columbia Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 51,294
- Schools in District
- 117
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,629
- District Rank
- #85 of 116
Other Schools in This District
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.
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