Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS: Top Public High School in Chicago IL (2026 List)

About Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS

Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School is a historic public high school located in Chicago, Illinois, serving students in grades 9 through 12. It is among the top schools in the Chicago Public Schools system and has a student population of about 480 and a favorable student-teacher ratio of about 13:1. The school is known as a premier school for its full Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, where students are trained in professional fields including automotive, cosmetology, and construction.There is a rich culture within the student body, with a total minority enrollment of 99%. Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School has a 10% proficiency in Mathematics and 5% in Reading . Students are always ready for the post-secondary transition through the SAT . The school has good resources for its economically disadvantaged students with funding of around $19,500 per pupil. At the end of the day, the school is recognized as one of the best schools to mix academic teaching with practical vocational mastery to prepare students for immediate career success, and it is one of the best high schools in Illinois.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 10%

Reading 5%

State average proficiency is 10% in Math and 5% in Reading.

37

Full-time Teachers

11 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

1

Teachers In First Or Second Year (yrs)

397

Total Students

$66456

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 0.5%

Asian 0.25%

Hispanic 4.53%

Black 94.46%

Two+ Races 0.25%

Native Am. 0%

White

0.5%

Asian

0.25%

Hispanic

4.53%

Black

94.46%

Two+ Races

0.25%

Native Am.

0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 397

53.9%

214 Female

46.1%

183 Male

Student Population

397 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 11 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

198 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS Contact Information

Address

3000 S King Dr, Chicago, IL, 60616

View on Map

Phone

(773) 534-9000

Call Now

Website

http://www.cps.edu

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:15 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS is Chicago's citywide hub for construction trades education, offering two-year intensive programs in general construction, carpentry, HVAC, welding and electricity developed in partnership with industry experts. The school partners with construction companies and trade unions to ensure curriculum meets workforce needs and that students are prepared for apprenticeships, certification programs or living-wage jobs once they graduate. Dunbar’s program, which draws students from across CPS via a citywide application process, brings the historic Bronzeville campus back to its roots in construction trades.

FAQ

Q1. Are there advanced classes available?

Ans. Yes, Students at Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS are pushed to think critically and do their best work in honors and AP classes.

Q2. Does Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS encourage people to get involved in their community?

Ans. Yes, students can learn about civic duty by helping out with community programs and volunteer projects.

Q3. Can students look into STEM options?

Ans. Absolutely! Students can learn by doing things in science, technology, engineering, and math classes.

Q4. Is it possible for students to take the SAT and ACT?

Ans. Yes, the school lets students who want to go to college take the SAT and the ACT.

Q5. Does the school make it easy for students to learn?

Ans. Yes, the school puts a lot of emphasis on including everyone, helping staff, and learning together so that all students can do well.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say