The top reported proficiency rate is 23% in Science. The lowest is 9% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Frederick Douglass Mastery Cs
Frederick Douglass Mastery CS is a charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Philadelphia's West Norris Street neighborhood. The school enrolls a student body that is almost entirely low-income, with a substantial majority Black and a smaller Hispanic population. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment is small to mid-sized for its grade band, distributed across all nine grades.
State test results show persistently low proficiency. In the most recent math assessment, fewer than one in ten students scored at proficient levels. English language arts proficiency was similarly low, with roughly one in eight students meeting the standard. Science results, from the prior year, were slightly higher but still well below state norms. The school is currently designated as a Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) school under federal law, reflecting sustained subgroup performance gaps that trigger required improvement planning.
The school sits at a significant inflection point. In June 2025, the Philadelphia Board of Education paused its decision on renewing Frederick Douglass Mastery's charter, grouping it with five other schools the district categorized as not meeting academic standards. Board members publicly expressed discomfort with renewal, citing academic performance concerns. This created lasting uncertainty about whether the school will continue to operate. Parents considering enrollment should know that the school's operating status and governance future remain unresolved, a material factor in choosing a school.
The immediate Philadelphia housing market shows modest home values below the state benchmark, with rents rising modestly over recent months. The city itself is in moderate growth, with development concentrated in Center City and its immediate surroundings; neighborhoods elsewhere, including West Philadelphia where this school is located, are not seeing comparable investment.
Academic support data such as graduation rates, chronic absenteeism, special education placement rates, and English learner identification were not available in state or school records, so a parent may want to seek that information directly from the school. No information on course breadth, dual-credit pathways, extracurricular offerings, or staffing was provided.
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