- Enrollment
- 1,803
- Students per teacher
- 19:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Bridgeport, CT
Paul Laurence Dunbar School
Federal NCES profile for Paul Laurence Dunbar School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 34/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 090045001161
👥 S:T ratio 44
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 27
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Paul Laurence Dunbar School earns 34/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 85% of Connecticut schools.
- #17 of 34
- schools in Bridgeport · Resource Index
- 34
- Resource Index · Typical
- 14:1
- large classes for Connecticut
- 84.2%
- free-lunch eligible
Paul Laurence Dunbar School has class sizes larger than 85% of Connecticut schools. Computed live against every Connecticut school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Paul Laurence Dunbar School ranks #17 of 34 schools in Bridgeport, CT.
School address
District: Bridgeport School District · Connecticut
NCES ID 090045001161 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+26 students YoY
Paul Laurence Dunbar School grew from 368 students in 2022-23 to 394 in 2023-24 (+7.1%).
Teacher FTE held 28.0 → 28.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+26 students YoY 090045001161 · Bridgeport, CT Other · SMALL · TRAD
391 enr · 14:1 · 84.2% lunch · RII 34
Nearest enrollment peer: Central High School (1,803 students)
Paul Laurence Dunbar School grew from 368 students in 2022-23 to 394 in 2023-24 (+7.1%). Teacher FTE held 28.0 → 28.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Connecticut schools → · Find another →
Paul Laurence Dunbar School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Central High S
Central High School
1,803 students
- Warren Harding
Warren Harding High School
1,324 students
- Blackham Schoo
Blackham School
1,088 students
- Bassick High S
Bassick High School
1,075 students
- Cesar Batalla
Cesar Batalla School
990 students
- This school 391
Paul Laurence Dunbar School
391 students
What this shows Paul Laurence Dunbar School reports 391 students on the CCD universe file.
How Paul Laurence Dunbar School compares
Paul Laurence Dunbar School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Connecticut and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Connecticut | Connecticut avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 14:1 | ▲ 16% | 12.1:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 84.2% | ▲ 131% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 391 | top 54% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
14:1
Leaner classes than 57% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
391
Bigger than 46% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
84.2%
free-lunch eligible
- 131% above the Connecticut average of 36.4%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
14:1
students per teacher
- 16% above state mean
Top 85% in Connecticut - lower ratio than 15% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
29.4%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$20,514
per pupil, district-wide
- below Connecticut avg of $24,680
Somewhat above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
7
in-school suspensions + 48 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.8 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 14.1 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 1 expulsion.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 61.4%
African American 31.7%
White 3.3%
Two or More 2.8%
Asian 0.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 61.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 52.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 52.1, Paul Laurence Dunbar School is about as mixed as the Connecticut school average of 50.5.
Programs
District finance for Bridgeport School District reports $20,514 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Paul Laurence Dunbar School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Warren Harding High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Blackham School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Bassick High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Cesar Batalla School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Paul Laurence Dunbar School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,324
- Students per teacher
- 17.7:1
- Resource Index
- 31/100
- Enrollment
- 1,088
- Students per teacher
- 17.3:1
- Resource Index
- 26/100
- Enrollment
- 1,075
- Students per teacher
- 16.3:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 990
- Students per teacher
- 14.8:1
- Resource Index
- 26/100
Similar other schools in Bridgeport
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Achievement First Bridgeport Academy
Standard public school
1,090 students 20.6:1 students per teacher
Blackham School
Standard public school
1,088 students 17.3:1 students per teacher
Cesar Batalla School
Standard public school
990 students 14.8:1 students per teacher
Read School
Standard public school
863 students 16.3:1 students per teacher
Geraldine Johnson School
Standard public school
825 students 15.3:1 students per teacher
Capital Preparatory Harbor School
Standard public school
775 students 25.8:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~391 students)
Frequently asked questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar School
How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar School?
Paul Laurence Dunbar School has 391 students enrolled. It is a public school in Bridgeport, CT. CCD year-over-year: 368 (2022-23) → 394 (2023-24), up 26.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar School?
The student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar School is 14:1, which is 16% higher than the Connecticut average of 12.1:1 and 11% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Paul Laurence Dunbar School?
84.2% of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Connecticut average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Paul Laurence Dunbar School?
The largest demographic group at Paul Laurence Dunbar School is Hispanic or Latino at 61.4% of enrollment, in Bridgeport, CT. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 52.1/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Paul Laurence Dunbar School?
Paul Laurence Dunbar School has a Resource Investment Index of 34/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Paul Laurence Dunbar School rank among schools in Bridgeport?
By Resource Investment Index, Paul Laurence Dunbar School ranks #17 of 34 schools in Bridgeport, CT. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Bridgeport on the city page.
What other schools are in Bridgeport School District?
Besides Paul Laurence Dunbar School, Bridgeport School District also operates Central High School (1,803 students), Warren Harding High School (1,324 students), and Blackham School (1,088 students). See the Bridgeport School District district page for the complete list.