Excellent
#53 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 4% in state
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
High School · Fayette County
1600 Man O'war Blvd, Lexington, KY 40513
Enrollment
1,889
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
8.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,889
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
8.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lexington
#7 of 67
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#7 of 279
In district
#7 of 66
Fayette County
Academic performance
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is a public high school in Lexington, KY, part of the Fayette County. The school serves approximately 1,889 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 96th percentile among KY schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 52% proficiency in math and 56% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $126,642, where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Paul Laurence Dunbar High School — Students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.3/10.
How Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Compares
See how Paul Laurence Dunbar High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 54% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 58% (2022).
Location
1600 Man O'war Blvd, Lexington, KY 40513
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paul Laurence Dunbar High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lafayette High School (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, LEXINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40513 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$126,642
Median Home Value
$448,100
Median Rent
$1,413/mo
Population
10,710
College Educated
70.5%
Homeownership
74.9%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
45.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paul Laurence Dunbar High School has a median household income of $126,642. It is a well-educated community where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $448,100, with a median rent of $1,413/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Central High Magnet Career Academy Louisville, KY | 8.5 |
| Ballard High Louisville, KY | 8.6 |
| Eastern High Louisville, KY | 8.6 |
| Lafayette High School Lexington, KY | 8.4 |
| Fern Creek High Louisville, KY | 8.2 |
| duPont Manual High Louisville, KY | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
What grades does Paul Laurence Dunbar High School serve?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar High School?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,889 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is 17:1. 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 High School rank in KY?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is ranked #53 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Paul Laurence Dunbar High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Laurence Dunbar High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School has 52.3% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar High School a charter school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar High School a Title I school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul Laurence Dunbar High School?
42.1% of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 8 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 19 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 23 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,541/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lexington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,889
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 111
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Fayette County
- Phone
- (859) 381-3546
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fayette County- District Enrollment
- 41,697
- Schools in District
- 79
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,318
- District Rank
- #7 of 66
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.
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