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Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation

Public | 6-8 | 639 students

 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

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2013:
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2010:
Based on 1 rating

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted June 11, 2010

We have an outstanding science program called Earthzone. We have over 20 different species of amphibians and reptiles and a huge touch tank with horse shoe crabs and fish. Its an awesome school!
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted September 17, 2009

They have an outstanding theatre and music program, which is so incredibly important!


Posted February 19, 2005

We am pleased with the opportunities our four children and their peers are offered through Dunbar's magnet program. The meshing of various students from across the city, allows students to expand understanding and acceptance in learning and social relationships. The orchestra, band, drama, show choir, language and class exploratory system allow for exposure and involvement by any student. Sports program and drama shows welcome student participation at all levels of expertise. The well-planned assembly programs provide students with exposure to a variety of community and national activities. Academically, the classes are challanging for highly motivated students and supportive to those who need additional assistance in mastering skills. Dedicated and motivated teachers provide regular tutoring and assistance for mastery or enrichment. Our older children were well prepared for high school and college. The principal's focus on discipline, behavior, appearance and student accountability will benefit all long term.
—Submitted by Patty Webb, a parent


Posted September 13, 2004

I think the principal is too mean to the children. He is making them tuck their shirts in and is being very strict. He should just go away.
—Submitted by a student


Posted July 31, 2003

I have 2 daughters in this school...they were also students at Dearington School for Innovation during their elementary years...their experience at Dunbar has been a very good one..they both are achieving the grades and the active support of their teachers...the arts are not fully represented...but, all students are exposed through exploratory courses (6 wk duration) throughtout the year...in art, technology, drama, etc. The teachers are involved and caring..even though the school does have a high population of lower income children, and has it's share of safety issues...it has been handled without any problem to the population at large...discipline is swift and usually sure. I was afraid of the basic location of the school...but it has proved to be an excellant choice for my 2 girls.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 89% in 2012.

200 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
81%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 86% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 74% in 2012.

199 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
61%

2008

 
 
56%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 88% in 2012.

207 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
86%

2008

 
 
82%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 88% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 58% in 2012.

112 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
13%

2011

 
 
47%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
51%

2008

 
 
44%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 89% in 2012.

201 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
79%
English: Writing

The state average for English: Writing was 88% in 2012.

199 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
80%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 88% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 60% in 2012.

220 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
46%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
82%

2008

 
 
77%
Science

The state average for Science was 92% in 2012.

192 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
82%

2008

 
 
85%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students85%
Female students86%
Male students84%
Black students79%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students93%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged82%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilities71%
Students without disabilities86%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English85%
Not migrant85%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students61%
Female students63%
Male students60%
Black students52%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students75%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged53%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilities50%
Students without disabilities62%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English61%
Not migrant61%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students82%
Female students89%
Male students75%
Black students74%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students97%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged78%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilities48%
Students without disabilities87%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English82%
Not migrant82%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students13%
Female students18%
Male students10%
Black students11%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students27%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged12%
Not economically disadvantaged25%
Students with disabilities8%
Students without disabilities15%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English14%
Not migrant13%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students79%
Female students81%
Male students78%
Black students72%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students90%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged76%
Not economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilities48%
Students without disabilities84%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English79%
Not migrant79%

English: Writing

All Students78%
Female students82%
Male students75%
Black students71%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students89%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged74%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilities42%
Students without disabilities83%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English79%
Not migrant78%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students46%
Female students50%
Male students42%
Black students35%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students68%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged37%
Not economically disadvantaged71%
Students with disabilities19%
Students without disabilities50%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English46%
Not migrant46%

Science

All Students83%
Female students82%
Male students86%
Black students81%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students87%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged77%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilities46%
Students without disabilities89%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English84%
Not migrant83%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Accredited with Warning".
  • In 2007-2008, this school was rated "Accredited with Warning".

About the tests


Virginia school accreditation ratings reflect student achievement on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other assessments in English, history/social science, math and science. The 2009-2010 ratings are based on passing rates on tests taken during the 2008-2009 school year or on overall achievement during the three most recent years. Schools are identified as either Fully Accredited, Accredited with Warning, Conditionally Accredited or Accreditation Denied.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 75% in 2012.

70 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
100%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 88% in 2010.

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
n/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course tests to assess students in reading, writing, math, science and history/social science subjects at the end of each course, regardless of the student's grade level. The SOL End-of-Course tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. High school students must pass at least six SOL End-of-Course tests to graduate. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students91%
Female students92%
Male students90%
Black students85%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students97%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged90%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities91%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English91%
Not migrant91%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course tests to assess students in reading, writing, math, science and history/social science subjects at the end of each course, regardless of the student's grade level. The SOL End-of-Course tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. High school students must pass at least six SOL End-of-Course tests to graduate. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 61% 26%
White 35% 57%
Hispanic 2% 9%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 62%N/A33%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 14N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

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1200 1208 Polk St
Lynchburg, VA 24504
Phone: (434) 522-3740

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