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Very Good

#1168 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 31% in state

Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS

High School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

3000 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616

Enrollment

397

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chicago

#180 of 629

public schools

Illinois high schools

#206 of 703

In district

#179 of 621

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS

Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS is a regular public high school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from grade 9 through 12, the school has an enrollment of 397 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.4 out of 10, placing it in the 28th percentile among Illinois schools, with its academic score at 1.4 out of 10.

Students here are working to improve their proficiency levels, currently standing at 3% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 4% in Math. Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS focuses on providing vocational training and career-oriented education, aiming to equip students with practical skills for the workforce. With room for academic growth, the school continues to develop programs that cater to its diverse student body.

Located in a bustling city environment, Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS is situated amidst the vibrant community of Chicago.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Dunbar Vocational Career Acad 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 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5%
Overall Proficiency4%
Expected (poverty-adj.)10%
vs. Expected-6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,089

Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS — Students at Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 10%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 3.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 3.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
ELA
2.5%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS Compares

See how Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
69th percentile in IL
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

3000 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. YCCS-McKinley-Lakeside Leadership (rated 7.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Urban Prep Chtr Bronzeville HS (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Chicago Military Academy HS (rated 7.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Pershing Elem Humanities Magnet Chicago 0.2 mi 6.1
YCCS-McKinley-Lakeside Leadership Chicago 0.4 mi 7.8
MCKINLEY LAKESIDE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Chicago 0.4 mi 4.7
Chicago Military Academy HS Chicago 0.6 mi 7.4
DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE - INSTITUTE CAMPUS Chicago 0.6 mi 6.3
Urban Prep Chtr Bronzeville HS Chicago 0.7 mi 7.6
Drake Elem School Chicago 0.6 mi 7.8
James R Doolittle Academy Chicago 0.7 mi 7.1
YCCS-Youth Connection Leadership Chicago 0.7 mi 5.5
Wells Preparatory Elem Academy Chicago 0.9 mi 6.2
Perspectives Chtr - IIT Campus Chicago 0.9 mi 5.2
Phillips Academy High School Chicago 1.1 mi 6.7
ST JEROME SCHOOL Chicago 0.8 mi 7.9
National Teachers Elem Academy Chicago 1.0 mi 8.3
Univ of Chicago Chtr-Donoghue Chicago 1.0 mi 3.3
Ward J Elem School Chicago 0.9 mi 4.7
CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago 1.0 mi
PUI TAK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago 1.0 mi 6.4
PUI TAK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago 1.0 mi 6.2
Haines Elem School Chicago 1.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60616 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,841

Median Home Value

$387,300

Median Rent

$1,329/mo

Population

54,456

College Educated

52.9%

Homeownership

39.3%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

37.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS has a median household income of $77,841. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $387,300, with a median rent of $1,329/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Liberty High School Liberty, IL 7.0
Litchfield Senior High School Litchfield, IL 7.0
Rockridge High School Taylor Ridge, IL 7.0
ST BEDE ACADEMY Peru, IL 7.0
ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur, IL 7.0
Tilden Career Communty Academy HS Chicago, IL 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS

What grades does Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS serve?

Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS?

Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS rank in IL?

Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS is ranked #1168 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Vocational Career Acad HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS has 3.8% math proficiency and 3.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS a charter school?

No, Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS a Title I school?

No, Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS?

84.4% of students at Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS 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
67 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
70 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,030/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
District Enrollment
322,809
Schools in District
643
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,699
District Rank
#179 of 621

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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