Dunbar HS

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, located at 101 N St NW in Washington, D.C., holds a distinguished place in American history as the nation’s first public high school for African Americans. Originally established in 1870 as the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth, it has long been a symbol of academic excellence and intellectual achievement within the District of Columbia. Today, the school operates under the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) system, continuing its legacy by providing a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum that emphasizes STEM education, career-focused pathways, and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of community leaders.

The modern Dunbar High School facility, which opened in 2013, is a state-of-the-art campus designed to meet LEED Platinum environmental standards while housing comprehensive academic and extracurricular programs. Beyond its modern infrastructure, the school remains deeply rooted in its storied past, striving to maintain the high standards of discipline and scholarship that defined the "Dunbar tradition" for over a century. Through a blend of honors programming, athletics, and community engagement, the school serves as a cornerstone of the neighborhood, dedicated to empowering students to succeed in an increasingly competitive global landscape.