Frederick Douglass Academy: admissions and school facts
Frederick Douglass Academy (DBN 05M499) is a New York City public high school in Central Harlem North, Manhattan with 5 admissions programs. Admission: Screened, Open, Educational Option (Ed. Opt.), District 75 inclusive services. Its average SAT is 899 (2024-25), against a median of 871.5 across NYC high schools. 93% of students graduate in four years.
- Programs
- 5
- Average SAT
- 899
- NYC median 871.5
- 4-year graduation
- 93%
- College and career rate
- 56%
- Students
- 560
- Applicants per seat
- 0–1
Free. Enter your academic group and borough, and the estimate takes your priorities into account.
How to get in
Seats and applicants are from the DOE directory for the Fall 2025 admissions round. Rules can change: confirm them on MySchools.
ScreenedM75A
Focus: Humanities & Interdisciplinary
The school ranks students by its own criteria (usually grades, sometimes attendance and tests). Seats are offered by rank within each priority group.
102 seats · 62 applicants · 1 per seat
ScreenedM75B
Focus: Science & Math
The school ranks students by its own criteria (usually grades, sometimes attendance and tests). Seats are offered by rank within each priority group.
102 seats · 63 applicants · 1 per seat
OpenM75D
Focus: Performing Arts
No screening by grades or tests: seats are offered by priority (borough, zone, language) and a random number.
24 seats · 7 applicants · under 1 per seat
Educational Option (Ed. Opt.)M75E
Educational Option: the school takes students of mixed levels. About 16% of seats go to high-scoring students, 68% to mid-range and 16% to lower-scoring; a random number decides within each category.
24 seats · 15 applicants · 1 per seat
District 75 inclusive servicesM75U
For students whose IEP recommends District 75 inclusive services. Your child’s IEP team can explain eligibility and how to apply.
1 seats · 1 applicants · 1 per seat
About the school
The Frederick Douglass Academy is a screened college preparatory school located in north Harlem. We are tremendously successful at sending students to top colleges throughout the country. High expectations and a challenging, rigorous curriculum are at the core of our mission; to equip students with the necessary tools and skills to become standouts in college and beyond. In our competitive school environment, each student is given an opportunity to select one of our FDA programs based on their individual interests in Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment, Music, World Languages, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Courses and languages
AP courses (6): Biology, Computer Science Principles, Physics 1, Physics C: Mechanics, Psychology, World History: Modern
Sports and clubs
Girls: Basketball, Fencing, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
Boys: Baseball, Basketball, Fencing, Football, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Co-ed: Double Dutch
Clubs: Anime, Boys and Girls Club of Harlem, Broadcasting, Cheerleading, Chess, College and Career, Concert Band, Dance, Entrepreneurship, Harlem Lacrosse, Harlem Samba, National Honor Society (High School), Student Council, Taekwondo, Tutorial, Wellness Center, Yearbook, Yoga
Students
- Girls
- 41%
- English language learners
- 7%
- Students with disabilities
- 29%
- Economic need index
- 91%
- Asian
- 2%
- Black
- 59%
- Hispanic
- 34%
- White
- 2%
- Multi-racial
- 1%
- Native American
- 2%
What the school community says
Share of positive answers in the 2026 NYC School Survey. This is a DOE survey, not a rating from us.
- Students feel safe
- 74%
- Rigorous instruction
- 48%
- Supportive environment
- 52%
- Family and community ties
- 80%
Location and getting there
- Address
- 2581 7Th Avenue, New York, NY 10039
- Neighborhood
- Central Harlem North
- Subway
- 3 to Harlem-148th St; B, D to 155th St
- Bus
- Bx13, Bx19, Bx6, M1, M10, M102, M2, M3, M7
- School hours
- 8:10 AM – 2:29 PM
- Building access
- Fully Accessible
Where to check and ask
Common questions
How do you get into Frederick Douglass Academy?
Frederick Douglass Academy admits students through: Screened, Open, Educational Option (Ed. Opt.), District 75 inclusive services. Families apply by ranking programs on one MySchools application; the application closes December 4, 2026 for fall 2027 entry.
How competitive is Frederick Douglass Academy?
In the Fall 2025 round the school’s programs had from 0 to 1 applicants per seat. Your real chance also depends on your priority group and admissions method.
What is the average SAT at Frederick Douglass Academy?
The average SAT was 899 in 2024-25, compared with a median of 871.5 across NYC high schools (DOE data, students who took the test).
What is the graduation rate at Frederick Douglass Academy?
93% of students graduate in four years, and the college and career rate is 56% (DOE Fall 2025 directory).
Where is Frederick Douglass Academy and how do you get there?
The school is at 2581 7Th Avenue, Manhattan. Subway: 3 to Harlem-148th St; B, D to 155th St. Bus: Bx13, Bx19, Bx6, M1, M10, M102, M2, M3, M7.
Other high schools nearby
Sources: NYC DOE Fall 2025 admissions directory, DOE InfoHub demographics 2025-26, SAT 2024-25, NYC School Survey. School Match is not affiliated with NYC Public Schools. How we calculate chances, and how accurate they are