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Average

#2159 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 46% in state

MS 301 Paul L Dunbar

Middle School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 8

890 CAULDWELL AVE, Bronx, NY 10456

Enrollment

167

Student-Teacher

7:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bronx

#198 of 450

public schools

New York middle schools

#255 of 785

In district

#26 of 51

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 8

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About MS 301 Paul L Dunbar

MS 301 PAUL L DUNBAR is a middle school located in the Bronx, part of New York City’s diverse educational landscape. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 167 students and maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 7:1, ensuring individual attention for each student. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, MS 301 PAUL L DUNBAR aims to support its young scholars through their formative years.

Academically, the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.5 out of 10 and ranks at #3952 among New York's 4758 schools, placing it in the 17th percentile. ELA/Reading proficiency stands at 21%, while math proficiency is slightly lower at 14%. Despite these challenges, the school focuses on continuous improvement to help its students reach their full potential.

MS 301 PAUL L DUNBAR is situated in a bustling urban environment, offering students opportunities to engage with the vibrant city life around them.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 167 students, MS 301 Paul L Dunbar is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at MS 301 Paul L Dunbar 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, MS 301 Paul L Dunbar offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics3.5Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.2 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-17.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7:1

MS 301 Paul L Dunbar — Students at MS 301 Paul L Dunbar score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 13.5%
School
State
40.2%
ELA Proficiency 21.0%
School
State
49.2%

Based on 7 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
18%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
22.5%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How MS 301 Paul L Dunbar Compares

See how MS 301 Paul L Dunbar performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
55th percentile in NY
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

890 CAULDWELL AVE, Bronx, NY 10456

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering MS 301 Paul L Dunbar may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ACADEMY OF PUBLIC RELATIONS (rated 6.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SOUTH BRONX EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SOUTH BRONX ACADEMY FOR APPLIED MEDIA (rated 4.4/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bronx, see our Bronx schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10456 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$35,676

Median Home Value

$428,800

Median Rent

$1,194/mo

Population

86,958

College Educated

14%

Homeownership

6.6%

Avg Commute

41 min

Poverty Rate

36.8%

Median Age

33.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding MS 301 Paul L Dunbar has a median household income of $35,676. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $428,800, with a median rent of $1,194/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 41 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
RED CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL Red Creek, NY 6.6
DALTON-NUNDA MIDDLE SCHOOL Nunda, NY 6.5
GREENE MIDDLE SCHOOL Greene, NY 6.5
IS 347 SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Brooklyn, NY 6.5
LAMAD ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 6.5
WEST PREP ACADEMY New York, NY 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about MS 301 Paul L Dunbar

What grades does MS 301 Paul L Dunbar serve?

MS 301 Paul L Dunbar serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend MS 301 Paul L Dunbar?

MS 301 Paul L Dunbar has an enrollment of approximately 167 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at MS 301 Paul L Dunbar?

The student-teacher ratio at MS 301 Paul L Dunbar is 7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does MS 301 Paul L Dunbar rank in NY?

MS 301 Paul L Dunbar is ranked #2159 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is MS 301 Paul L Dunbar's MySchoolScout rating?

MS 301 Paul L Dunbar has a composite rating of 6.6 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 MS 301 Paul L Dunbar?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, MS 301 Paul L Dunbar has 13.5% math proficiency and 21.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is MS 301 Paul L Dunbar a charter school?

No, MS 301 Paul L Dunbar is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is MS 301 Paul L Dunbar a Title I school?

No, MS 301 Paul L Dunbar is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for MS 301 Paul L Dunbar?

97.6% of students at MS 301 Paul L Dunbar 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Bronx County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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