On April 5, 1889, the sixteen-year-old Paul Laurence Dunbar received a report card from Central High School in Dayton. His grades in Latin and Civil Government were both 84, and he scored 100 for Deportment in Class. However, his Habits of Application received the lowest possible score.
Report of the Deportment and Proficiency of Studies of Paul Dunbar
Number of days absent: 8
Deportment in and about school: Excellent
Habits of Application: Very PoorCentral High School Grade Report, April 5, 1889. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
By the time the November 8, 1889, report was released, Paul had improved his Habits of Application to "Tolerable." In his June 20, 1890, report card he was given the highest rating, "Excellent."
Many years later, one of Paul's former teachers described his behavior in school. Louise Troy taught in the Dayton Public School system from 1878 to 1920.
I had Paul five months on Zeigler Street before the holidays. Twice after that when he was in the seventh grade. Paul was of the dreamy type and always wrote poetry. He never joined in vigorous plays like the other boys but would stand by and laugh and applaud them. He was always jolly and enjoyed a good joke.
Louise M. Troy, quoted in Stories About Pioneer Women Teachers in Montgomery County, Ohio. Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Ohio Pi Chapter. Unpublished typescript. 1950. Pages 61 - 62.