At a glance
Reported students
1,087
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
60
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Maryland high enrollment
48th percentile
Compared with 252 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
435
Paul Laurence Dunbar High: 1,087 reported students.
State peer staffing position
84th percentile
18.1:1 reported; state peer median 15.9:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 995
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Student–teacher ratio
- 21.2:1
What the reported data says about Paul Laurence Dunbar High
Paul Laurence Dunbar High is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Baltimore. It is one of 150 current school records connected to Baltimore City Public Schools. NCES reports 1,087 students for 2024–25.
Among 252 high schools in Maryland with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 1,098 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 48th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.1:1, above the Maryland median of 15.9:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Black (80.2%) and Hispanic or Latino (17.3%). English learners represent 3.8% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 10.2%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, gifted and talented programming, computer science. The school reported 7 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Paul Laurence Dunbar High
- 1How do the reported 18.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 60 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 3 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 3.8%
- Students with disabilities
- 10.2%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 77.7%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 3
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1.2
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White1.4%
- Hispanic17.3%
- Black80.2%
- Asian0.5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial0.5%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
Students enrolled
7 distinct courses reported
Gifted and talented
Offered
Computer science
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Baltimore City Public Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Carver Vocational-Technical High
High · Grades 09–12
1,041 reported students
Forest Park High
High · Grades 09–12
1,024 reported students
Academy for College and Career Exploration
High · Grades 06–12
967 reported students
Edmondson-Westside High
High · Grades 09–12
910 reported students
Western High
High · Grades 09–12
1,290 reported students
Patterson High
High · Grades 09–12
1,330 reported students
Public schools near Paul Laurence Dunbar High
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Academy Foundation High · Baltimore City Public Schools | 06–12 | 801 | under 0.1 mi |
| Eager Street Academy High · Baltimore City Public Schools | 06–12 | 45 | 0.6 mi |
| Baltimore School for the Arts High · Baltimore City Public Schools | 09–12 | 443 | 1 mi |
| Baltimore Design School High · Baltimore City Public Schools | 06–12 | 503 | 1 mi |
| Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women High · Charter · Baltimore City Public Schools | 06–12 | 466 | 1 mi |
| Digital Harbor High School High · Baltimore City Public Schools | 09–12 | 1,359 | 1.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar High
What grades does Paul Laurence Dunbar High serve?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school in Baltimore City Public Schools.
How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar High?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High reported 1,087 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 48th percentile among 252 Maryland high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 995 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar High?
The calculated ratio is 18.1:1, based on 1,087 students and 60 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Maryland median for the same school level is 15.9:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar High a public, charter, or magnet school?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Baltimore City Public Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Paul Laurence Dunbar High students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
77.7% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Paul Laurence Dunbar High in?
Paul Laurence Dunbar High is part of Baltimore City Public Schools, based in Baltimore, MD, which operates 150 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Paul Laurence Dunbar High?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include National Academy Foundation (under 0.1 mi), Eager Street Academy (0.6 mi), Baltimore School for the Arts (1 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.