Below Average
#207 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
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
984
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
District of Columbia schools
#207 of 240
In Washington
#207 of 240
public schools
In district
#106 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
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Dunbar HS
High School in Washington · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Friendship Pcs - Armstrong Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Friendship Pcs - Armstrong Middle
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dunbar HS
Dunbar HS is a public high school in Washington, DC, part of District of Columbia Public Schools. Dunbar HS serves approximately 984 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Dunbar HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #207 of 240 schools in DC.
Structured state assessment records for Dunbar HS show 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 5.9
- DC avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Dunbar HS 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.
87% of students at Dunbar HS 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Dunbar HS — Students at Dunbar HS score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Test Scores DC OSSE DC CAPE school-level (% Meeting or Exceeding) (2024-25)
Based on 26 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: 6.3/10.
How Dunbar HS Compares
See how Dunbar HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Benjamin Banneker HS (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McKinley Technology HS (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Girls Global Academy PCS (rated 6.5/10, 0.8 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 | 7.1 |
| Friendship PCS - Armstrong Middle Washington | 0.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - J.F. Cook Washington | 0.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Walker-Jones Education Campus Washington | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| KIPP DC - WILL Academy PCS Washington | 0.3 mi | 4.3 |
| KIPP DC - Grow Academy PCS Washington | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| KIPP DC - Lead Academy PCS Washington | 0.3 mi | 3.8 |
| GONZAGA COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Washington | 0.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Center City PCS - Shaw Washington | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Langley ES Washington | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Harmony DC PCS - School of Excellence Washington | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| McKinley Technology HS Washington | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| McKinley MS Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Cleveland ES Washington | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Seaton ES Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Two Rivers PCS - 4th Street Washington | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Girls Global Academy PCS Washington | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Benjamin Banneker HS Washington | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan Washington | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| TEMPLETON ACADEMY Washington | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cardozo Education Campus Washington, DC | 4.6 |
| Coolidge HS Washington, DC | 4.4 |
| Roosevelt HS Washington, DC | 4.6 |
| KIPP DC - College Preparatory PCS Washington, DC | 4.7 |
| ST JOHNS COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Washington, DC | 4.3 |
| Friendship PCS - Collegiate Academy Washington, DC | 5.5 |
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 ranks #207 of 240 schools in DC.
What is Dunbar HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Dunbar HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Dunbar HS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dunbar HS has 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 87.3%
- Phone
- (202) 698-3762
- 4-Year Graduation
- 75.0%
- % meeting SAT college-ready benchmark (DC OSSE Report Card SY2024-25)
- 2.3%
Resources & Links
District
District of Columbia Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 51,294
- Schools in District
- 117
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,629
- District Rank
- #106 of 116
Other Schools in This District
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