Frederick Douglass Academy: Top New York School (2026 List)

About Frederick Douglass Academy

Frederick Douglass Academy is a public high school in New York City (grades 6-12) in the New York City Public Schools system. There are about 559 students at the school and a student to teacher ratio of approximately 12:1. Frederick Douglass Academy is a college preparatory school with Advanced Placement coursework and exams. 42% of students participate in AP at Frederick Douglass Academy. 2. Academic rigor and extended learning time. Minority enrollment is 97% and economically disadvantaged students are 89%. The math proficiency is 24% and the reading proficiency is 63%. Per-pupil spending is at the NYC district average. Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem has a structured school environment that includes advisory, tutoring and college counseling. College access program includes SAT and ACT preparation. Frederick Douglass Academy is a leading school providing college preparatory opportunities and structured academic support to a diverse student body, and it is one of the best high school in New York.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 24%

Reading 63%

State average proficiency is 24% in Math and 63% in Reading.

61

Full-time Teachers

12 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

708

Total Students

$82249

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 3.11%

Asian 0.71%

Hispanic 33.19%

Black 60.31%

Two+ Races 0.85%

Native Am. 1.41%

White

3.11%

Asian

0.71%

Hispanic

33.19%

Black

60.31%

Two+ Races

0.85%

Native Am.

1.41%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 708

42.37%

300 Female

57.63%

408 Male

Student Population

708 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 12 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

218 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Frederick Douglass Academy Contact Information

Address

2581 7TH AVE, NEW YORK, NY, 10039

View on Map

Phone

(212) 491-4107

Call Now

Website

schools.nyc.gov

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:45 AM to 3:02 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:30 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Frederick Douglass Academy is building a culture of “hard work” and has added a rigorous college prep curriculum that includes specialized AP coursework to get students ready for college in 2026. The school is providing extra SAT workshops and academic support to assist students in attaining competitive scores. The Academy is also expanding its extracurricular programming and partnerships centered on student leadership and community service efforts in Harlem.

FAQ

Q1. Does Frederick Douglass Academy support learning through practical activities?

Ans. Yes, students work on projects and do things that help them learn skills they can use in the real world.

Q2. What does Frederick Douglass Academy do to make the learning environment better?

Ans. Respect, working together, and being responsible make sure that the school culture is safe, welcoming, and open to everyone.

Q3. Does Frederick Douglass Academy help students think of new things?

Ans. Yes, students can find out more about art, music, and new projects that will help them be more creative.

Q4. Are college entrance exams conducted here?

Ans. Students can take the SAT and ACT tests on-site or through programs that work together.

Q5. What does Frederick Douglass Academy teach?

Ans. Frederick Douglass Academy has a college-preparatory curriculum and gives students chances to learn through practical activities and improve their skills.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

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What Parents Say