Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.)

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Dunbar High School is a public secondary school located in Washington, D.C., United States.

Dunbar, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the District of Columbia Public Schools.

Originally named Preparatory High School for Colored Youth later known as M Street High School, the name was changed in honor of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. Dunbar was the first high school for black children. It was known for its excellent academics, enough so that many black parents would move to Washington specifically so their children could attend it. Its faculty was paid well by the standards of the time, earning parity pay to Washington's white school teachers. It also boasted a remarkably high number of graduates who went on to higher education, and a generally successful student body. It is similar to Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Baltimore, Maryland and Fort Worth, Texas, as all three schools have a majority African American student body and are of a major importance to the local African American community. All three schools are also highly regarded for their athletic programs within their respective school district in the sports of Football, Basketball, and Track.

Following desegregation and deconstruction of the original facility, its prestige dropped notably. As of 2006, the campus is situated in a newer, but far less architecturally appealing facility in Northwest Washington.

Dunbar is perhaps best known for its athletic programs, which compete in the D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association, and particularly its football team. Some of Dunbar's recent graduates have gone on to succeed in NCAA football and the NFL. Joshua Cribbs, who graduated in 2001, was the starting quarterback for four years at Kent State University and currently is a member of the Cleveland Browns. Vernon Davis,who graduated in 2003, was the number 6 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft and is now a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. Recently, Dunbar has become somewhat a feeder school for Illinois Fighting Illini football as Dunbar graduates wide receiver Arrelious Benn, defensive back and Vernon Davis' brother Vontae Davis, and defensive back Nate Bussey all currently play for Ron Zook. For the 2008 season, they will be joined in Champaign, Illinois by former Dunbar teammates Reggie Ellis and Ugochukwu Uzodinma.

[edit] Student body

During the 2004-2005 school year, Dunbar had 1500 students [1].

46% of students qualified for free or reduced lunch.

[edit] Feeder patterns

Feeder elementary schools include:

  • J. F. Cook
  • Emery
  • Langdon
  • Marshall
  • Terrel
  • Webb
  • Wheatley
  • Young

Feeder middle schools include:

  • Browne

Feeder K-8 schools include:

  • Walker-Jones Education Center

[edit] Notable alumni

Notable graduates include: