(left to right) Associate Principal-Antonio Blackman, Associate Principal-Vickie Ritchie, Head Principal-Anthony Orr, Associate Principal-Ed Oakley

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (PLD), named after the 19th century African-American poet, is located on Man O’ War Boulevard.  The school opened in1990 and has earned a reputation as an outstanding school, excelling in academics, athletics, and other student endeavors.  The school has an enrollment of over 2200 students in grades 9-12 and houses the Math, Science & Technology Magnet Center (MSTC).   It is the largest public high school in Kentucky.

PLD consistently ranks as one of the top-achieving schools in the state, earning an 85.3 index on the 2003 CATS tests. The average ACT score at PLD, 23.1, outpaces the state and national averages and twenty-five PLD students were named National Merit Semifinalists in 2003.   Dunbar athletic teams are consistently competitive.  Dunbar teams have been State Champions in Girls' Swimming (2000-2001), Girls' Golf (2001-2002),  Boys' Soccer (2001-2002 and 2006-2006), Baseball (2002-2003),  Boys' Tennis (2002-2003),  Girls' Tennis (2003-2004), Girls' Track (2004-2005), and Girls' Cross Country (2005-2006).  Dunbar's Marching Band won the state title in 2003.   Dunbar's Varsity Cheerleading Squad won national titles in 2004, 2005, and 2006 and was featured on the Lifetime Network broadcast Cheerleader Nation.  

PLD is on a 4X4 block schedule and students must earn 26 credits to graduate.  Courses are offered in Art, Business (Marketing and Banking), English, Family and Consumer Sciences, Foreign Languages, Health and Physical Education, Math, Music, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, Technology Education, Vocational Education, Experience Based Career Education (EBCE) and Co-Op.  Advanced Placement courses are available in Calculus, Computer Science, English, European History, French, German, Latin, Music Theory, Physics, Spanish, U.S. History, World History, MSTC Biology and MSTC Chemistry.

SCHOOL COLORS:  RED AND BLACK

SCHOOL MASCOT:  FIGHTING BULLDOG