Imagine a school where black excellence wasn’t just a dream. It was the standard. That place exists. It is Dunbar High School.
Dunbar High School stands as a beacon. It was America’s first public high school for black students. Founded in 1870, Dunbar began as the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth. William Syphax started it. He was President of the Board of Trustees for Colored Schools. The school first opened in the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church’s basement.
Later, from 1891 to 1916, Dunbar was known as M Street High School. In 1916, it was renamed after Paul Laurence Dunbar. He was a noted African-American poet.
Dunbar High School quickly gained a reputation for academic excellence. Black parents moved to Washington so their children could attend. Dunbar’s teachers were paid well. They earned the same as white teachers. The faculty boasted many advanced degrees. Some even held doctorates.
By the 1950s, Dunbar sent 80 percent of its students to college. This was an exceptional rate for any school at the time. Dunbar produced many well-known figures. These include: Sterling Brown. H. Naylor Fitzhugh. Charles R. Drew. William H. Hastie. Charles Hamilton Houston. Robert Heberton Terrell.
Its faculty included distinguished individuals. Anna Julia Cooper. Kelly Miller. Mary Church Terrell. Carter G. Woodson. Dunbar’s principals included: Anna J. Cooper. Richard Greener. Mary Jane Patterson. Robert Heberton Terrell. An unusual number of teachers and principals held Ph.D. degrees.
Carter G. Woodson was the father of Black History Month. He was also the second African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard.
Dunbar’s original building was demolished in 1977. It was rebuilt but again demolished and rebuilt in 2013. The newest building takes design cues from the 1916 predecessor.
Today, Dunbar High School continues to serve its community. It has a majority African-American student body. The school is known for its athletic programs. Football. Basketball. Track. These programs are highly regarded.
In recent years, Dunbar has embraced Afrofuturism. This is a Black artistic movement. It envisions a world free of systemic injustice. Dunbar uses the city and the metaverse as classrooms. Students become lifelong learners. They are prepared to dismantle inequities.
Dunbar leverages virtual reality. Students use VR headsets in algebra and geometry. They develop digital literacy skills. Dunbar students also participate in virtual college tours.
Dunbar High School’s legacy is powerful. It stands as a testament to the power of education. It demonstrates the importance of black excellence. Dunbar continues to inspire students. It encourages them to achieve their dreams. The historic Paul Laurence Dunbar High School creates a brighter future for all.