Average
#1769 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 47% in state
Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center
Elementary School · MIAMI-DADE
505 NW 20TH ST, Miami, FL 33127
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#1,769 of 3,778
In Miami
#173 of 280
public schools
In district
#296 of 497
MIAMI-DADE
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center
Elementary School in Miami · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Secondary Student Success Center 802
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center
Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center is a public elementary school in Miami, FL, part of MIAMI-DADE. Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center serves approximately 330 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,769 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 7.3
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center 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.
40% of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center 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 K-8 Center — Students at Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 40 test records from FL 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: 7.6/10.
How Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center Compares
See how Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center 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
505 NW 20TH ST, Miami, FL 33127
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FREDERICK R. DOUGLASS ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DEBBIE SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, THEODORE R. AND THELMA A. GIBSON CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Miami, see our Miami schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33127 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,125
Median Home Value
$398,800
Median Rent
$1,394/mo
Population
27,585
College Educated
12.9%
Homeownership
27.8%
Avg Commute
29.9 min
Poverty Rate
33.1%
Median Age
36.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ADVENT LUTHERAN SCHOOL Boca Raton, FL | 6.4 |
| ANDREA CASTILLO PREPARATORY ACADEMY Doral, FL | 6.4 |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale, FL | 6.4 |
| DR. HENRY W. MACK/WEST LITTLE RIVER K-8 CENTER Miami, FL | 6.4 |
| IMAGINE CHARTER SCHOOL AT NORTH LAUDERDALE ELEMENTARY North Lauderdale, FL | 6.4 |
| JESSE J. MCCRARY JR. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami, FL | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center
What grades does Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center serve?
Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center?
Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center has an enrollment of approximately 330 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center is 15:1. 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 K-8 Center rank in FL?
Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center ranks #1,769 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 K-8 Center?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center a charter school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center a Title I school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center?
67.3% of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 330
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Miami-Dade County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.0%
- Phone
- (305) 438-9737
Resources & Links
District
MIAMI-DADE- District Enrollment
- 335,500
- Schools in District
- 536
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,066
- District Rank
- #296 of 497
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.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Florida 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in Jacksonville, Miami & Tampa for Families Exploring School Choicebest schools
- Best Schools in Miami, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Florida School Choice Guide: Public vs Private vs Charter — What the Data Showsguides
- Florida School Vouchers 2026: How to Compare Your Options Before the April 30 Deadlineschool choice
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.