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
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 7 test records from NY 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: 8.0/10.
How MS 301 Paul L Dunbar Compares
See how MS 301 Paul L Dunbar performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 18% (2019) to 25% (2021).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (718) 585-2950
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 8- District Enrollment
- 24,000
- Schools in District
- 52
- District Rank
- #26 of 51
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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