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Paul Laurence Dunbar Career Academy High School

CPS choice · 9-12

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

At a glance

In 2025–26, GoCPS recorded 713 applications for 145 offers (GoCPS, 2025–26 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).

Cultural fit
73% of students were chronically absent in 2025 - about what's typical for CPS high schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). Family involvement was rated ‘Neutral’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages).
Academic fit
79% of teachers stayed from one year to the next - about what's typical for CPS high schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). Average class size is 20.2; about 11.1 students per teacher, computed from all-teacher staffing.
Social-emotional fit
46% of students with IEPs spend most of the school day in general classrooms - about what's typical for CPS high schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). There is 1 school counselor per 228 students.

Computed from published data with its source and year on every clause - a description, never a grade.

Basics

CPS-published · verified Nov 2024

Address
3000 S KING DR
Neighborhood
Douglas
Phone
(773)534-9000
Hours
Unknown - not verified yet
Website
https://dvca-cps.org
Before and after care

Supplemental care not found.

SchoolNav searched the school’s website and the main care providers’ pages in Sep 2026 and found no before or after care. Some programs are never posted online, so ask the school office or on a tour.

Arts and creative

Film and Video, Rhythm Group, Culinary Classes, Student Music Club, Musicals, Talent Show

From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.

Sports

Cheerleading, Football, Basketball, Volleyball

From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.

Climate survey
Involved families
Neutral
Supportive environment
Not published - too few responses or not surveyed
Ambitious instruction
Not published - too few responses or not surveyed
Effective leaders
Neutral
Collaborative teachers
Neutral
Safety (student-reported)
Not published - too few responses or not surveyed
Overall organization
Moderately Organized

UChicago 5Essentials levels from the spring 2024 survey (CPS Progress Reports SY2425, verified 2026-09-25) - benchmarked categories relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages. A school can answer mostly positively and still rate below the benchmark typical.

5Essentials - the latest survey in detail

Quality Professional Development, Instructional Leadership, and Inquiry-Based Science Instruction are rated above the CPS average; Student Responsibility, Teacher Safety, and Expectations for Postsecondary Education are rated below it this year.

From the 2026 CPS 5Essentials survey (25-26). Scores are benchmarked 1–99 (not percentages) - higher is stronger, and each is shown against the CPS average that same year. This is a newer survey on a different benchmark than the component levels above, so the two aren’t directly comparable.

Show all measures ▸

Ambitious Instruction

57 ▬ about the CPS average (60)

Supportive Environment

46 ▼ below the CPS average (56)

Collaborative Teachers

51 ▬ about the CPS average (52)

Effective Leaders

52 ▬ about the CPS average (52)

Involved Families

45 ▼ below the CPS average (50)

Supplemental measures

Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.

CPS-published · verified Jul 2026Response rates: students 95%, teachers 62%, parents 0%Full 2026 measures report (UChicago)

UChicago Consortium — the 2026 cycle (school year 25-26) is re-benchmarked to spring 2024 (SY25+); it is NOT level-comparable to the spring-2013-benchmarked component levels shown elsewhere.

Programs (2)

ProgramEntry gradesHow seats are offeredTest requiredEvidence

Career Academy

Career & technical

Your child must take the HSAT to apply.

9Lottery
NoCPS-published · verified Oct 2026

Significantly Modified Curriculum w/ Moderate Supports (IEP)

Special education

9Lottery
NoCPS-published · verified Oct 2026

Local School Council

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

The Local School Council is a group of parents, staff, and neighbors who help run this school. They vote on the budget and the school plan. Their meetings are open to the public, so you can go and listen.

Next meetings

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday, December 8, 2026 at 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday, January 12, 2027 at 4:30 PM

CPS lists the date and time. Ask the school office where the meeting will be held.

Members for 2026 to 2028

  • Richard Mcmillan · Principal
  • Maurice Frazier · Parent
  • Brandy Irons · Parent
  • Krista Alston · Community member
  • Shavontha Harris · Teacher
  • Cully Boateng · Teacher
  • Steven Robinson · School staff (non-teaching)
  • Eric Gholston · Student

CPS keeps the official list of council meetings and members. See the CPS council list.

Parent questions & conversation

What parents and people who know this school are asking, answering, and talking about - their own words, experiences and opinions rather than verified facts.

Parent notes on this school are visible to signed-in Chicago families. Sign in to read and ask.

SchoolNav is not affiliated with CPS. Details change - each fact above shows when it was last verified. Application decisions should always be confirmed in GoCPS.