Average
#1054 of 1,363 schools in MD
Paul Laurence Dunbar High
High School · Baltimore City Public Schools
1400 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
Enrollment
1,101
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,101
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Baltimore
#192 of 267
public schools
Maryland high schools
#115 of 226
In district
#114 of 149
Baltimore City Public Schools
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Paul Laurence Dunbar High
Paul Laurence Dunbar High serves 1,101 students in grades 9-12 in Baltimore's Orleans Street corridor. With 48 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.9:1, providing opportunities for meaningful student-educator connections within this large urban high school environment. The school is currently focusing on student development, with academic performance showing significant room for growth.
Reading proficiency stands at 32% across grade levels, while mathematics achievement presents particular challenges with 8% of students demonstrating proficiency. These results place Dunbar High in the 9th percentile statewide, ranking 1246th among Maryland's 1364 high schools, indicating substantial opportunities for academic improvement and targeted support programs. The school serves a diverse student body within the 21231 ZIP code area, where the community reflects interesting economic contrasts.
While the median household income reaches $88,091 and home values average $330,600, nearly one in five residents experiences poverty. The neighborhood boasts a highly educated population, with 66% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting strong community resources and potential partnerships. Paul Laurence Dunbar High operates in Baltimore's dynamic urban landscape, where students experience the energy and opportunities that come with attending school in Maryland's largest city.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar High is 22.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Paul Laurence Dunbar High — Students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.6/10.
How Paul Laurence Dunbar High Compares
See how Paul Laurence Dunbar High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 9.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 63.4% (2025).
Location
1400 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paul Laurence Dunbar High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Eager Street Academy (rated 6.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Baltimore Design School (rated 5.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| National Academy Foundation Baltimore | 0.1 mi | 4.1 |
| City Springs Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| TONG LE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Baltimore | 0.5 mi | — |
| Eager Street Academy Baltimore | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Johnston Square Elementary Baltimore | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. Elementary Baltimore | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Wolfe Street Academy Baltimore | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| ST FRANCES ACADEMY Baltimore | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Elmer A. Henderson: A Johns Hopkins Partnership Baltimore | 0.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Tench Tilghman Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| The Crossroads School Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| NEW CENTURY SCHOOL THE Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| THE LOYOLA SCHOOL Baltimore | 0.8 mi | — |
| Collington Square Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Baltimore Design School Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Harford Heights Elementary Baltimore | 1.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Sharp-Leadenhall Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 1.3 mi | — |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21231 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,382
Median Home Value
$336,500
Median Rent
$1,710/mo
Population
14,556
College Educated
65.9%
Homeownership
35%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Median Age
32.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paul Laurence Dunbar High has a median household income of $85,382. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $336,500, with a median rent of $1,710/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. 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 |
|---|---|
| C. Milton Wright High Bel Air, MD | 5.2 |
| Smithsburg High Smithsburg, MD | 5.2 |
| Atholton High Columbia, MD | 5.3 |
| Central High Capitol Heights, MD | 5.3 |
| Hereford High Parkton, MD | 5.3 |
| New Town High Owings Mills, MD | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar High
What grades does Paul Laurence Dunbar High serve?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar High?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High has an enrollment of approximately 1,101 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar High?
The student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar High is 22.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paul Laurence Dunbar High rank in MD?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High is ranked #1054 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Paul Laurence Dunbar High's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Laurence Dunbar High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul Laurence Dunbar High has 9.2% math proficiency and 38.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar High a charter school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar High a Title I school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul Laurence Dunbar High?
74.8% of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High 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
- 89 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 98 Rider’s Paradise
- Bike Score
- 75 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (5,784/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Baltimore). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,101
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Baltimore city
- Phone
- (443) 642-4478
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Baltimore City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 75,811
- Schools in District
- 151
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,977
- District Rank
- #114 of 149
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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