Very Good
#219 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 17% 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
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,889
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#219 of 1,284
In Lexington
#18 of 67
public schools
In district
#18 of 66
Fayette County
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Paul Laurence Dunbar High School?
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 High School
High School in Lexington · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rosa Parks Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Beaumont Middle School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is a public high school in Lexington, KY, part of Fayette County. Paul Laurence Dunbar High School serves approximately 1,889 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Paul Laurence Dunbar High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #219 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Paul Laurence Dunbar High School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- District avg 5.7
- KY avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
36% of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School — Students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 32 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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.8/10, 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Campbell County High School Alexandria, KY | 7.8 |
| Lafayette High School Lexington, KY | 7.8 |
| Henderson County High School Henderson, KY | 7.9 |
| Pulaski County High School Somerset, KY | 7.6 |
| Bowling Green High School Bowling Green, KY | 7.5 |
| McCracken County High School Paducah, KY | 7.5 |
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 ranks #219 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Paul Laurence Dunbar High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.7%
- Phone
- (859) 381-3546
- 4-Year Graduation
- 93.0%
Resources & Links
District
Fayette County- District Enrollment
- 41,697
- Schools in District
- 79
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,318
- District Rank
- #18 of 66
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 rateGet 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.