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Our Insights

What’s Special

A broad range of electives, activities, and advanced courses

The Downside

Many students miss a month or more of school

Frederick Douglas Academy is a combined middle and high school offering a variety of electives and college-level courses. Students can study Japanese and Latin, work with flight simulators in an aviation class, and take Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Special features include Harlem Samba, a Brazilian percussion ensemble, and Taekwondo classes. 

The school has many technology and science courses. Middle school electives include computer programming, gaming, and web design. High school students can take AP courses in statistics, calculus, biology, chemistry, physics, microeconomics, U.S. and European history, English, Spanish, French, and Latin. Middle school students study French and can pursue other languages in high school, completing high school language requirements in their first year and taking advanced classes in Japanese, Italian, French, or Spanish. 

Starting in 9th grade, students in the FDA Dual Enrollment/Advanced Placement Program can take college courses through partnerships with SUNY Old Westbury and Syracuse University,  such as Human Geography, Computer Science, Gender Studies, and Black Studies.

Middle school test scores in English and math fall well below the citywide averages, but students improve by high school. The college readiness rate, meaning how many students graduate prepared to tackle college level work, approaches the citywide average. Attendance is an on-going challenge; more than half miss a month or more of school.  Students can expect a couple hours of homework daily.  

All students learn to play a musical instrument and can participate in Harlem Samba, performing on New York stages and internationally. They can also take Taekwondo, developing discipline and confidence. FDA has  excellent facilities including a gymnasium, fitness center, dojo for martial arts, auditorium, and digital music studio.Sports and clubs include lacrosse, tennis, basketball, chess, aviation, robotics, and yearbook. The school provides shuttle service to practices and games for athletes.

FDA shares space with Mickey Mantle, a District 75 school that serves students with disabilities. Following an inclusion model, Micky Mantle students may join classes at FDA. A dedicated college office arranges college tours and hosts classes for juniors and seniors. Students have been admitted to schools like West Point; most attend CUNY and SUNY schools, with some earning Posse Scholarships. Some attend private and out-of-state colleges like Vanderbilt University. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, June 2024)

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average
Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2022-2023 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
81%
81% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
52%
52% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
77%
78% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
81%
77% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
1%
1% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
88%
79% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
6.1

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
6%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
18%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
82%
92% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
77%
91% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
816
Asian
1%
Black
60%
Hispanic
32%
White
3%
Other
4%
Free or reduced priced lunch
87%
Students with disabilities
23%
English language learners
7%

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
84%
88% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
55%
39% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

Uniforms required?
No

How does this school serve special populations?

From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
61%
85% Citywide Average
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
56%
74% Citywide Average

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
0%
7% Citywide Average
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

Frederick Douglass Academy for the Humanities (FDAH) (M75A)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

This program will prepare students for their choice of college studies and careers. Students are expected to take a minimum of two AP or CUNY College Now courses for which they are eligible which may include AP United States History, AP Microeconomics, AP European History, AP English, AP Spanish, AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP French. SUNY Old Westbury English Composition, College Algebra.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) (M75B)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

This program will prepare students for college studies and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine. Students will have access to elective courses such as Robotics, Aeronautics/Aviation, Anatomy & Physiology, and Forensic Science. Students are expected to take a minimum of two AP or CUNY College Now courses for which they are eligible and may include AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics.

Frederick Douglass Academy D75 Inclusion Program (M75U)

Admissions Method: D75 Special Education Inclusive Services

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

French, Italian, Japanese, Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Computer Science Principles, AP French Language and Culture, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Psychology, AP World History: Modern, Chemistry (Advanced Science), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages), World Languages (College Course [Credited])

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Fencing, Football, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Fencing, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball

Coed PSAL teams

Double Dutch

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

2581 7Th Avenue
Manhattan NY 10039

Trains: 3 Line to Harlem-148th St; B Line, D Line to 155th St

Buses: Bx13, Bx19, Bx6, M1, M10, M102, M2, M3, M7


Contact

Principal: Ayisha Fullerton

Parent Coordinator: Yvette Mckenzie

Phone: 212-491-4107

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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