St. Paul's Episcopal

Historical marker location:

201 Allison Street Northwest, Petworth, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from Allison Street Northwest east of 3rd Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west.)

Marker installed: 1950

The District was the site of the first U.S. public school for black students: The M Street School (later known as Dunbar High School) was founded in 1870 and was the first public school in the United States for black students. The school became known for its high academic standards and produced many notable alumni, including civil rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune.