Paul Laurence Dunbar would be proud. The sun is once again shining on – and into – the historic Washington, D.C. high school named in his honor. When Dunbar High opened its doors in 1870, it became the first public high school in the United States for African-Americans. It has a long list of notable alumni and was once considered one of the elite secondary educational institutions in the country. The school was first housed in the basement of a church. Now, Dunbar High calls home a $128 million dollar award-winning complex that opened its doors in August of 2013. The project, which incorporated the use of Structures Unlimited and its strategic partner Kalwall for its skylights, was given the Gold Citation by the American School & University in its annual Educational Interiors Showcase. AS&U is a leading voice in education facilities and its annual Educational Interiors Showcase is the premier architectural competition in the industry. The awards were announced in this month’s edition of American School & University. Much changed for Dunbar High between 1870 and today. Dunbar, first known as Preparatory High School for Colored Youth and re-named after the famed African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar in 1916, moved out of the church basement and was located in two different buildings before its current home. The school counts world renowned scientists and playwright, activists and politicians, athletes and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists among its alumni. For more info please visit www.structuresunlimitedinc.com.
