Frederick Douglass Academy

Frederick Douglass Academy in north Harlem serves students in grades 6-12 as a screened college preparatory school. It is known for its mission to provide a challenging and rigorous curriculum with high expectations, aiming to prepare students for success in college and beyond. The school emphasizes a competitive academic environment and offers various programs based on student interests. Academically, the school's middle school ELA and Math proficiency rates are well below citywide medians. However, the high school demonstrates a solid 4-year graduation rate of 88% and a college enrollment rate of 67.6%, which is around the citywide median. The school also offers a high percentage of accelerated coursework, well above the citywide median, indicating a focus on advanced studies. Regents pass rates are varied, with Languages Other Than English being a particular strength. Parent sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with high satisfaction reported across various aspects of the school. Student survey results, however, are mixed; while many students report feeling safe in hallways, concerns exist regarding bullying and physical altercations. The school's instruction and performance are rated as "Fair." Frederick Douglass Academy offers distinctive programs such as the Harlem Samba, a Brazilian percussion ensemble that performs internationally, and Taekwondo classes. Students can also explore subjects like Japanese, Latin, aviation with flight simulators, and Advanced Placement courses. The school provides a structured environment with advisory, tutoring, and college counseling, including SAT/ACT preparation. It is a relatively small school, serving a predominantly Black and Hispanic student body with a significant population of economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities.