The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Frederick Douglass Academy Ii Secondary School
Frederick Douglass Academy II is a grades 6 through 12 school in Manhattan's Upper West Side neighborhood, located on West 114th Street. The school serves an enrollment of roughly three hundred students, with a composition that is largely Black and Hispanic, and an overwhelming share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body reflects the neighborhood's economic reality and the broader patterns of segregation and economic disparity that characterize many New York City public schools.
The school's state test results show a pattern of low proficiency across subjects and grades. In English language arts, the strongest performance is sixth grade, where about half of tested students met state standards, while seventh grade results were weaker and eighth grade was moderate. Math proficiency is lower across all tested grades, with sixth and seventh grades showing proficiency well below half, while eighth grade data was not available. Eighth grade science testing did not yield results. These numbers place the school well below the midpoint among districts across New York County. The small cohorts of tested students in some grades reflect the size of the grades within the school, which is notably compressed in the middle school bands, then larger in high school. Given the grade composition and overall enrollment, testing participation rates were generally solid.
The Upper West Side context shapes this school's position. District 3, which encompasses the school, underwent significant recent changes to middle school admissions, moving to a lottery system without academic screens starting in the 2022-2023 cycle, combined with a diversity plan that reserves seats for low-income and lower-performing students. These shifts altered how students access the district's middle schools. Additionally, the district navigated a prolonged episode around school closures and relocations that were ultimately withdrawn in April 2026, creating uncertainty about the stability of school options. The broader neighborhood is dense, highly walkable, mixed-use, and well-served by public transit.
State testing data does not include information about the school's graduation rate, completion of college-preparatory or dual-credit pathways, special education enrollment, or English learner populations. Program offerings, staffing levels, discipline or attendance metrics, and detailed course access were not available in the data reviewed. A parent or resident considering this school would benefit from conversations with the school directly about high school completion outcomes, course offerings and rigor, supports for students entering below grade level in core subjects, and the school's strategic approach to serving the population it enrolls.
The housing market around the school reflects broader Manhattan dynamics: median home values in the area are well above the national benchmark, and rental costs have edged upward year-over-year. This context matters for families making decisions about school attendance and neighborhood stability.
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