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Very Good

#698 of 2,268 schools in GA

Top 31% in state

Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School

Elementary School · Atlanta Public Schools

500 Whitehall Ter SW, Atlanta, GA 30312

Enrollment

250

Student-Teacher

8.9:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Atlanta

#53 of 136

public schools

Georgia elementary schools

#502 of 1,301

In district

#34 of 86

Atlanta Public Schools

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School

Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Atlanta, Georgia, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 250 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to its young learners.

The dedicated staff includes 28 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting each child’s educational journey. Academically, Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School ranks in the lower middle tier among Georgia schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.3 out of 10.

The school aims to improve proficiency rates in ELA and math, currently standing at 18% proficient or above for reading and 17% proficient or above for mathematics across all grade levels. Situated in a bustling city setting within Fulton County, the school is part of a vibrant community focused on growth and development. Despite its current academic performance, Paul L.

Dunbar Elementary School continues to work diligently toward enhancing educational outcomes for its students.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18%
Math vs. State Avg-22.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.8 pts
Overall Proficiency19%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,882

Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School — Students at Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.3%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 18.0%
School
State
41.8%

Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2024
Math
19.7%
ELA
18%

* 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 L. Dunbar Elementary School Compares

See how Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in GA
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

500 Whitehall Ter SW, Atlanta, GA 30312

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Barack and Michelle Obama Academy (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Finch Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Atlanta, see our Atlanta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
THE LIFE SCHOOL OF ATLANTA Atlanta 0.5 mi 5.6
Charles L. Gideons Elementary School Atlanta 0.8 mi 6.7
Martin L. King Jr. Middle School Atlanta 1.2 mi 7.6
Wesley International Academy Charter Atlanta 1.2 mi 4.6
Herman J. Russell West End Academy Atlanta 1.2 mi 6.1
M. A. Jones Elementary School Atlanta 1.3 mi 4.5
Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy Atlanta 1.5 mi 5.6
Barack and Michelle Obama Academy Atlanta 1.4 mi 8.1
Booker T. Washington High School Atlanta 1.4 mi 4.8
Thomas Heathe Slater Elementary School Atlanta 1.7 mi 5.7
Carver High School Atlanta 1.7 mi 6.2
Carver High School Early College Atlanta 1.7 mi 7.1
Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - Elementary Atlanta 1.5 mi 8.1
CRISTO REY ATLANTA JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL Atlanta 1.7 mi 6.1
ST NICHOLAS ORTHODOX ACADEMY Atlanta 1.6 mi
Centennial Place Academy (Charter) Atlanta 2.0 mi 4.9
Finch Elementary Atlanta 1.9 mi 7.9
KIPP WAYS Academy Charter School Atlanta 2.0 mi 4.8
Kipp WAYS Primary Charter School Atlanta 2.0 mi 3.4
Sylvan Hills Middle School Atlanta 2.1 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,963

Median Home Value

$493,800

Median Rent

$1,594/mo

Population

27,147

College Educated

65.1%

Homeownership

34.5%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

22.4%

Median Age

32.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School has a median household income of $75,963. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $493,800, with a median rent of $1,594/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
ATLANTA SPEECH SCHOOL Atlanta, GA 7.3
Belmont Hills Elementary School Smyrna, GA 7.3
DeKalb Brilliance Academy Atlanta, GA 7.3
Stewart County Elementary School Lumpkin, GA 7.3
William J. Scott Elementary School Atlanta, GA 7.3
Chattahoochee County Education Center Cusseta, GA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School

What grades does Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School serve?

Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School?

Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 250 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School rank in GA?

Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School is ranked #698 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 L. Dunbar Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School has 17.3% math proficiency and 18.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School a charter school?

No, Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School?

100.0% of students at Paul L. Dunbar Elementary 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
63 Good Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable
County Safety
Low (3/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
250
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Fulton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Atlanta Public Schools
District Enrollment
49,660
Schools in District
87
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,046
District Rank
#34 of 86

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 methodology

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