Constructed as a part of the reconstruction of Orleans Parish schools post Hurricane Katrina, and designed in accordance with LA Recovery School District standards, serves a 450 student Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade student population. Situated in an Uptown New Orleans neighborhood, the school was designed to embody 21st century educational concepts while scaled to coexist within a 19th century architectural residential context.   Its L-shaped plan allowed for the preservation of 3 Live Oak trees and provide ample protected play areas.  One Oak serves as shade for an outdoor classroom. The school is named for the early 20th century, african-american poet, Paul L. Dunbar, a friend of the Wright brothers.  His words are memorialized in the atrium and his image can be found in the Media Center, all providing inspiration to the students.

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It is designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification through LEED for Schools 2007 criteria.  It complies with stringent energy standards, achieving an efficiency 31.5% better than ASHRAE 90.1 – 2007. 

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Designed by Mark I. Baum, Architect, AIA as Principal and Senior Project Manager with another firm.