Paul Laurence Dunbar High School

1600 Man O' War Blvd
Lexington, KY 40513

1,946 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, located on Man O' War Boulevard in Lexington, Kentucky, is one of the district’s premier public secondary institutions. Known for its academic rigor and high-achieving student body, the school serves a diverse population and maintains a reputation for excellence in both classroom performance and extracurricular engagement. It is frequently recognized for its strong college-preparatory curriculum and its commitment to fostering an environment that challenges students to reach their full potential.

Beyond its core academics, Dunbar is perhaps best known for its specialized Math, Science, and Technology (MST) program, a selective magnet component that draws high-performing students from across the region. The school also boasts a robust athletic program and an array of championship-level clubs, including award-winning academic teams, arts programs, and service organizations. By balancing a demanding scholastic workload with a vibrant community culture, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School remains a focal point of the Lexington community and a top-rated institution within the Fayette County Public Schools system.

1,946

Total Students

107.7

Full-Time Teachers

18.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

38.1%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Demographic	Student Count
White	819
Hispanic	596
Black	268
Asian	183
Two or More	76
American Indian	3
Pacific Islander	1

White
819 (42.1 %)
Hispanic
596 (30.6 %)
Black
268 (13.8 %)
Asian
183 (9.4 %)
Two or More
76 (3.9 %)
American Indian
3 (0.2 %)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.1 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Fayette County
Phone:	(859)381-3546
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	1,946
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	107.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	18.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	713
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	29

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 531

Grade 10 514

Grade 11 471

Grade 12 426

Ungraded 4

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Grade	Student Count
Grade 9	531
Grade 10	514
Grade 11	471
Grade 12	426
Ungraded	4

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	947	48.7%
Male	999	51.3%

Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)