About Dunbar Vocational High School

The school opened as Dunbar Prevocational School in 1937. In 1942, it was named Dunbar Vocational High School. In September 1956, the school became Dunbar Trade School. It is now known as Paul L. Dunbar Vocational Career Academy.

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Shared Stories

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Dunbar Class of 1986 10 & 20th year Event

Class of 1986 20 year Reunion Event-Picnic

20th Year Dinner Dance-1986

10 year Event Dinner-1986

Dunbar c/o '88 20yr Reunion

Photo from Dunbar Class of '88 Reunion Picnic, August 2008

Class of '88 Reunion Committee

Back of Reunion shirt

Karon Lester's Surprise Retirement Party in Japan

To whom it may concern, I am Karon Lester's Mother, and I was trying to get information about one of your former students.  She graduated in 1988 and has just retired from the Navy after 21 years. I just returned from the surprise retirement party in her honor, in Japan.  She graduated from Paul Lawrence Dunbar in 1988 and joined the Navy that

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Honor Roll

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Bernard Shaw

Benard Shaw - CNN Anchor Emeritus

Photo Courtesy of the Washington Speakers Bureau

Recognized Achievement: 
Emmy Winner
Lincoln Academy of Illinois
Peabody Award
CPS Schools Attended: 
William W. Carter High School
Dunbar Vocational High School

Cheryl Watkins

CPS Leadership Role: 
Golden Apple Award Winner for Excellence in Teaching
Principal
CPS Schools Attended: 
Dunbar High School

Jennifer Hudson

Recognized Achievement: 
Oscar Winner
CPS Schools Attended: 
Dunbar Vocational High School

Alumni News

Registered alumni may share news about upcoming alumni events, reunions, current events, and personal milestones. Click "more" at the bottom of this section to see all alumni news for this school.

Bennie Crane, Chicago District Fire Chief Remembered Fondly

Bennie L. Crane, 1935-2009: Retired Chicago district fire chief -- chicagotribune.com http://bit.ly/9Iq9R

Dunbar Class of 1969 40th Reunion All-Classes Invited

Hi Alums,

Cellist and CPS Music Teacher, Earl Madison, Touched Many Lives

Earl W. Madison graduated from Tilden High School and went on to teach music and work at Phillips, DuSable, Dunbar and Hyde Park. See Chicago Tribune Obit here.