Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Address
1600 Man o' War Boulevard

Lexington
,
Fayette County
,
Kentucky
40513

United States
Coordinates38°01′04″N 84°34′37″W / 38.01782°N 84.57683°W / 38.01782; -84.57683
Information
Former nameDunbar High School
TypePublic high school
Founded1990 (1990)
PrincipalScott Loschider[1]
Teaching staff106.90 (FTE) (2021–22)[2]
Grades9–12
Enrollment2,054 (2021–22)[2]
Student to teacher ratio19.21 (2021–22)[2]
AreaSuburban
Color(s)
  •   Red
  •   Black
MascotBulldogs
Websitepld.fcps.net

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (PLD/PLDHS), also known as Dunbar High School,[3] is a public high school located at 1600 Man o' War Boulevard on the southwest side of Lexington, Kentucky, United States. The school is one of six high schools in the Fayette County Public Schools district.

The school was opened in 1990. With an enrollment of over 2100 students (in 2008–2009),[4] it is one of the largest public high schools in Kentucky,[5][6] It also houses the Math, Science, and Technology Center.

Academics

Since opening in 1990, Dunbar has averaged more than 15 National Merit Semifinalists a year, with 71 in the last four years.[4] Of the Class of 2008, 75% continued on to four-year colleges or universities, with another 17% attending two-year colleges or technical schools.[4] As of 2017, Dunbar offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in twenty subject areas.

Academic team

The PLD academic team has won numerous, including Governor's Cup championships in 2000 and 2001,[7] the NAQT Kentucky State Championship as recently as 2023.[8] In 2000, Dunbar's United States Academic Decathlon team won the state division for the first time and proceeded to nationals.[9]

Math, Science, and Technology Center

The Math, Science, and Technology Center, also known as MSTC, is a magnet program housed in Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. The program accepts at least 55 students each year, selected from the 2500 incoming high school freshmen in Fayette County.[4] MSTC alumni have matriculated into many top colleges across the country and have an average ACT score of 34. [10]

History

Pre-history (1922–1967)

The Dunbar High School was a segregated public high school for African-American students founded in 1922, and located at 545 North Upper Street in the Northside neighborhood in Lexington.[11] It was named after the 19th century African-American poet and writer, Paul Laurence Dunbar, whose parents were from Kentucky.[12] The Bearcats were the schools mascot, and the school colors were red and black (and green and white during the 1940s). In 1953, the Russell School, another segregated public school for African American students, was located on the same block and they shared a field.[13]

When Fayette County's schools integrated, Dunbar High was closed in 1967,[11] with its students being bused to four previously segregated white schools.

The building of the original high school at 545 North Upper Street has since been converted to the Dunbar Community Center, which serves myriad cultural, educational and recreational needs for the city of Lexington. The Dunbar Community Center is operated by the city's department of Parks and Recreation.[14]

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (1990)

The Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is a public high school opened in 1990 and located at 1600 Man o' War Boulevard in the southeastern part of Lexington. The school name was part of a political deal made in 1965 with the city's African-American community. The county school board agreed that the next high school to open in Lexington would bear Dunbar's name, principally at the urging of the Rev. William Augustus Jones Sr., minister of Lexington's oldest and largest Black church[15] and a civil rights leader[16] whose five oldest children had graduated from Dunbar and embarked on careers of distinction.[17]

Both schools used the name Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and the Dunbar High School,[11] but they are not the same school. The former school was frequently referred to as the "Dunbar High School". In an attempt to differentiated, the new school was given the poet's full name and is more frequently referred to by the full name.

As an additional tribute to the old Dunbar High School, the gymnasium was named the "S.T. Roach Sports Center" for basketball coach Sanford T. Roach, who led the school to a 512–142 record from 1942 to 1965, and is a member of the National High School Sports Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.

The new PLD adopted the original school colors of the old Dunbar High (which were red and black, but changed to green and white during the 1940s). The new high school did not, however, retain the former school's "Bearcats" mascot. A vote of the school's future students shortly before the school's opening favored "Bulldogs" and selected "The Victors", by Louis Elbel, as the basis of the fight song.[18]

Athletics

Paul Laurence Dunbar offers many sports, including football, boys' and girls' basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, boys' lacrosse, tennis, golf, track and field, cheerleading, swimming, dancing, wrestling, and ice hockey.

Basketball

PLD had a competitive boys' basketball program almost from the beginning. In 1993 the team, led by Darnell Burton, were State Runners-Up,[19] and in 1994, led by Cameron Mills, the team repeated as State Runners-Up.[19] In 1997 the team again reached the Sweet Sixteen, losing in the first round.

The Bulldogs boys basketball team captured the 2016 KHSAA Boys Sweet 16 Championship over Doss 61–52. PLD was led by tournament MVP Tavieon Hollingsworth.[20]

Football

The first football playoff appearance was in 1995.[21] For the first five and a half years, the PLD football team played their "home" games at other Lexington high schools. Midway through the 1999 season, PLD's football stadium opened, and that year the school advanced to the playoffs for the second time. In 1996 they were the AAA state runners-up, losing the championship game in overtime.[22]

The football stadium was later named for Jon R. Akers, PLD's first principal and the father of National Football League placekicker David Akers.

Swimming

The Swim Team has three state championships. Dunbar has dominated their region winning multiple region titles. In 2016, PLD was runner up in team scores at the KHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships. This is a strong sport at the high school with the multiple regional titles and the 5 star elite athletes.

Soccer

Dunbar has 6 state championships in soccer. In 1992, 2001,[23] 2005[24] and 2013 PLD Soccer were the State Champions. The first four championships were under Todd Bretz, who was the head coach since the program's inception with one of the highest records of any Kentucky high school soccer coaches (493-169-38), until Fayette County schools sidelined him in September 2019. Zach Byrd also won a Kentucky Mr. Soccer in 2010 when Dunbar lost in the elite eight against Henry Clay. Dunbar won back to back state championships in 2021 and 2022 under coach James Wray.

Cheerleading

PLD Cheerleading is nationally competitive. They have been UCA National Champions in the Large Varsity Division (all girls) in 1995, 2004–2008, 2011 and 2013. They are the only squad to ever be national champions five times in a row. They were UCA National Runners-Up in 1994, 2002, 2003, 2017 and Third Place in 1993 and 2009, Cheersports National Champions in 2003, KAPOS State Champions in 1994, 1997, 2000–2013, and KHSAA State Champions in 2016 and 2017.

They have been nationally ranked for twelve years and have been featured in American Cheerleader magazine.

In 2001, MTV's True Life series prominently featured Dunbar's cheerleading team in the episode "I'm a Cheerleader." On November 28, 2005, Lifetime Television announced a reality series featuring the PLD cheerleaders, and "Cheerleader Nation" premiered in early 2006.

Baseball

In 2003, PLD Baseball were state champions.[25] That year they also set a Kentucky record for the most wins in one season, winning 41 games and losing only 4.[26] Josh Ellis went a perfect 12–0 in 2003,[26] despite knee injury suffered in a PLD football game, and was named Kentucky's Mr. Baseball.[26] Dunbar was once again state champions in 2007, where they finished with a 38–6 record, and a state record 1.32 ERA.[27]

Track and field

In 2005, the girls' track and field team tied as AAA state champions.[28]

Both the boys' and girls' teams have won the Lexington City Championships each year since 2000. The boys placed second in 2007 to Henry Clay High School in a loss by 3 points. The girls won Region 5 AAA in 2001, 2006, and 2007.

Cross country

Laura Steinmetz was the girls AAA individual state champion in 2005[24] and 2006.[27] The girls team were AAA state champions in 2005[24] and placed third in 2006.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is not sanctioned by the KHSAA. Dunbar's team went undefeated and won first place in the 2009 Bluegrass State Games, the first time lacrosse was included in the Games.[29] In the 2011 season, the Dunbar lacrosse team broke a 7-year streak of losses to Lexington Catholic in the second round of the state tournament. They went 12–2 and concluded their season with a 9–7 victory over Ballard in the D-II Championship game. In 2015 the lacrosse team was runner up, losing to Henry Clay in the Championship Game.

Ice hockey

Like lacrosse, ice hockey is not sanctioned by KHSAA. Dunbar's team began as a combination of travel and house league players in 2001, and are one of ten teams in the state of Kentucky. However, in 2002 the PLD Ice Hockey team went from being a "metro" team to a strictly all Dunbar student team with the help of PE/Health teacher Mr. Jonas. Dunbar ice hockey has played in both the "A" (varsity) and "B" (junior varsity) levels of Kentucky state hockey.[30]

Music

The Paul Laurence Dunbar band, has earned national acclaim; they are one of a handful of high school band programs to receive the Sudler Shield award twice, for outstanding high school marching band.[31][32] The Dunbar band earned the title of state champion in years 1991 (Class AAA),[33] 2003[34] and 2004 (Class AAAA), and 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2011 (Class AAAAA), and State Runners-Up in 1992, 1994, 1995, and 2002 (Class AAAA), and 2006 and 2008 (Class AAAAA). The band was a finalist in 1993, 1996–1999, 2001 (AAAA), 2009, and 2012–2015 (AAAAA).[35]

The band performed twice in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City: first in 2007 and again in the 2014.[36]

Notable alumni

Band

Fencing

  • Lee Kiefer (2009–2012) – Four-time NCAA champion, ten-time team Pan American champion, nine-time individual Pan American champion, 2018 team world champion, three-time Olympian, and 2021 individual Olympic champion.

Journalism

Baseball

  • A. J. Ellis (1995–99) – A two-time first team All-City selection, A.J. was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003, has played for on all minor-league levels for the Dodgers, and made his debut for the Dodgers in 2008 as a pinch-runner for Nomar Garciaparra. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2016 season.

Soccer

  • Sean Kelley (2002–06) – Named Kentucky's Mr. Soccer, an NSCAA HS All-American, and the Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, while leading his team to a state championship.[38]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "FCPS principal's administrative leave extended again". WKYT. January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Search for Public Schools - Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (210186001669)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Student took loaded gun into Lexington's Dunbar High School". Lexington Herald Leader. February 3, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "2008–2009 School Profile" (PDF). Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 21, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  5. ↑ "2008–2009 Audited School Enrollments" (PDF). Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  6. ↑ Enrollment reports from 2002–03 through 2008–09 are available from the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.
  7. ↑ The Kentucky Association for Academic Competition Retrieved on March 17, 2010
  8. ↑ "2023 NAQT Kentucky State Championship". Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Dunbar team competes in U.S. Academic Decathlon". Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Results - Math Science and Technology Center". Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 Smith, Gerald L.; McDaniel, Karen Cotton; Hardin, John A. (2015-08-28). The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia. University Press of Kentucky. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-8131-6066-5.
  12. ↑ See the entries for "Matilda Dunbar," "Joshua Dunbar" and "Paul Laurence Dunbar High School," in the Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington, Kentucky.
  13. ↑ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Russell School". National Park Service. April 5, 2006. Retrieved February 7, 2023. With accompanying pictures
  14. ↑ "Dunbar Community Center". Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  15. ↑ Historic African American Churches: Lexington, KY CVB
  16. ↑ 2001 Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame
  17. ↑ Holley, Joe (February 8, 2006). "William A. Jones; Preacher Helped Poor, Led Protests". Washington Post.
  18. ↑ "New Era Dawns at Dunbar High – Colors, Mascot, Fight Song Chosen". Lexington Herald-Leader. December 18, 1989. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  19. 1 2 "National City/KHSAA Boys' Sweet 16 Basketball Past State Championship Game Results" (PDF). Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  20. ↑ "2015/16 Kentucky High School Boys Basketball". scoreboard.12dt.com. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  21. ↑ "KHSAA 1995 Bracket". Kentucky High School Athletic Association.
  22. ↑ "KHSAA State Football Playoffs – Class AAAA". Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  23. ↑ "2001–2002 KHSAA State Champions". Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  24. 1 2 3 "2005–2006 KHSAA State Champions". Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  25. ↑ "2002–2003 KHSAA State Champions". Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  26. 1 2 3 "KHSAA Baseball State Records" (PDF). Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  27. 1 2 "2006–2007 KHSAA State Champions". Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  28. ↑ "2004–2005 KHSAA State Champions". Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  29. ↑ "Lexington's Dunbar Takes Bluegrass Gold". Kentucky Lacrosse Association. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Kentucky High School Hockey League". Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  31. ↑ "Dunbar Captures". Lexington Herald-Leader. May 8, 1996. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  32. ↑ "Dunbar Band Gets World-Class Honor". Lexington Herald-Leader. January 4, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  33. ↑ "Dunbar Band Marches to Top of its Division in Two Years". Lexington Herald-Leader. November 5, 1991. p. B2. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  34. ↑ "Bowl Parade Beckons Dunbar Band". Lexington Herald-Leader. December 10, 2003. p. E7. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  35. ↑ "Strike Up the Band". Richmond Register. November 9, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  36. ↑ "Dunbar band appears in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade". Lexington Herald Leader. August 18, 2015.
  37. ↑ Venteicher, Wes (2018-12-04). "Gil Durán named to new post as California opinion editor". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  38. ↑ "George Mason Player Bio". Archived from the original on October 3, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2009. Prep/Club: Graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 2006... Four year varsity letterwinner in soccer... Member of the NSCAA All-America team and earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors senior season... Garnered Kentucky Mr. Soccer honors and was tabbed as the District Tournament MVP in 2005... Named to both the First Team All-Kentucky, as well as First Team All-Lexington senior year... In his final season with the Bulldogs, PLDHS was crowned Kentucky State Champions, Hoosier Cup Champions and the team was ranked No. 1 in Kentucky... In 2005, he recorded 15 shutouts and allowed only 11 goals, while he registered a Kentucky record of 18 shutouts, 12 consecutive, in his netminder role junior season... Member of the Lexington F.C. 88 Premier since 1998... Competed with the Olympic Development Program (ODP) Kentucky squad from 2002–05.
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