Dunbar High School

At a Glance

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is a public high school serving grades 9 through 12 in Washington DC's Truxton Circle neighborhood in Ward 5. The school provides a comprehensive four-year high school experience for students across the District through the DC Public Schools system. With a mission centered on inclusive instruction and maximum academic achievement, Dunbar emphasizes both rigorous academics and well-rounded student development through extensive extracurricular participation. The school has a long-standing reputation in DC as an institution committed to preparing students for college, careers, and civic engagement.

What Parents Should Know

Enrollment at Dunbar High School happens through the My School DC lottery system, the unified application process used by all DC public and public charter schools. Families apply during the annual lottery window, typically opening in the winter for the following school year, and can list Dunbar among their choices. As a grades 9-12 school, Dunbar serves as a natural transition point for students completing eighth grade, whether they're coming from DCPS middle schools or other educational settings.

The Truxton Circle location in Ward 5 places Dunbar in a central northeast DC neighborhood with access to public transportation, making it reachable for students across the city. Parents should be aware that as a traditional four-year high school, students will remain at Dunbar through graduation, providing continuity and the opportunity to build relationships with teachers and peers over their entire high school career.

The school's stated mission explicitly encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities as part of becoming well-rounded scholars, signaling that the school experience extends beyond classroom instruction. This emphasis on comprehensive student development means families should expect opportunities for involvement in clubs, activities, and athletics as part of the overall high school experience. Parents interested in understanding the full scope of what Dunbar offers should connect with the school directly to learn about current programs and how students can get involved from freshman year forward.

Programs and Approach

As a DC Public Schools institution, Dunbar High School operates within the DCPS framework while maintaining its own school culture and community. The school's mission focuses on providing an all-inclusive instructional program designed to foster maximum academic achievement and prepare students for lifelong learning. This approach emphasizes helping students develop both the academic skills and broader competencies needed to become productive citizens.

Dunbar encourages students to engage beyond their core classes through numerous extracurricular activities, reflecting a philosophy that student success encompasses academic performance, personal growth, and community involvement. The school operates with the understanding that high school is a critical preparation period, and the four-year structure allows for progressive skill-building and increasing independence as students move toward graduation.

Families considering Dunbar should understand that admission works through the citywide lottery rather than guaranteed neighborhood assignment, though DC residents can indicate preferences during the My School DC application process. The school serves students across all four high school grade levels, meaning ninth graders enter as part of an established school community with older students, and will have the opportunity to take on leadership roles as upperclassmen.

Visiting and Contact

Dunbar High School is located at 101 N Street NW in the Truxton Circle neighborhood of Ward 5. Families interested in learning more about the school, scheduling a visit, or accessing current enrollment information should visit the school's website at http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/dunbar or call 202-698-3762 to connect with the main office.