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#1181 of 2,268 schools in GA

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

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#1,181 of 2,268

In Atlanta

#67 of 136

public schools

In district

#41 of 86

Atlanta Public Schools

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School

6.2/10

Elementary School in Atlanta · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

The Life School of Atlanta

5.6/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Charles L. Gideons Elementary School

5.0/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School

Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School is a public elementary school in Atlanta, GA, part of Atlanta Public Schools. Paul L.

Dunbar Elementary School serves approximately 250 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 8.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,181 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • GA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 8.9:1 students to teachers, Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

67% of students at Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School 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 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.7% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-22.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.8 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,046
Chronic Absenteeism67.2%

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 29.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 35.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
41.8% (2024 GA)

Based on 30 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
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: 7.2/10.

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
6.2/10
48th percentile in GA
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
6.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
67.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Barack and Michelle Obama Academy (rated 6.9/10, 1.4 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 5.0
Martin L. King Jr. Middle School Atlanta 1.2 mi 5.7
Wesley International Academy Charter Atlanta 1.2 mi 6.4
Herman J. Russell West End Academy Atlanta 1.2 mi 4.1
M. A. Jones Elementary School Atlanta 1.3 mi 4.1
Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy Atlanta 1.5 mi 7.1
Barack and Michelle Obama Academy Atlanta 1.4 mi 6.9
Booker T. Washington High School Atlanta 1.4 mi 4.8
Thomas Heathe Slater Elementary School Atlanta 1.7 mi 3.8
Carver High School Atlanta 1.7 mi 6.1
Carver High School Early College Atlanta 1.7 mi 6.3
Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - Elementary Atlanta 1.5 mi 8.7
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 4.7
Finch Elementary Atlanta 1.9 mi 5.7
KIPP WAYS Academy Charter School Atlanta 2.0 mi 3.9
Kipp WAYS Primary Charter School Atlanta 2.0 mi 5.5
Sylvan Hills Middle School Atlanta 2.1 mi 4.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Lyerly Elementary School Lyerly, GA 6.2
Scott Elementary School Thomasville, GA 6.2
Annette Winn Elementary School Lithia Springs, GA 6.3
Atlanta Unbound Academy College Park, GA 6.3
EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Augusta, GA 6.3
HERITAGE ACADEMY Augusta, GA 6.3

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 ranks #1,181 of 2,268 schools in GA.

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

Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 L. Dunbar Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

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Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
63 Good Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
67.2%

District

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

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