A Monumental Legacy

Historical marker location:

100 15th St NW, The National Mall, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of 15th Street Northwest and Madison Drive Northwest, on the left when traveling north on 15th Street Northwest.)

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.