Est. 1991
- Sine
- Labor
- Nihil
Without work, nothing.
Harlem · New York City · Grades 6–12
The FrederickDouglassAcademy
One very special mission since 1991: to prepare students from the surrounding Harlem community to succeed at the college or university of their choice.
- A College Preparatory School
- Grades 6–12
- District 5 · Manhattan
- Advanced Regents Expected
- 2581 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd (opens in a new tab)
Principal's Welcome
College is not a feasible reality here. It is the daily expectation.
The Frederick Douglass Academy (FDA), serving the Harlem community of New York City, has had one very special mission since 1991: to prepare students from the surrounding community to succeed at the college or university of their choice.
This is accomplished by offering opportunities for personal growth through extracurricular activities, providing support in the college process for students and their families, and ensuring a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for the academic expectations of the top colleges and universities in our nation.
Every single structure offered at FDA is an extension of our commitment to our students and families that college is not only a feasible reality; it is the daily expectation for all students at our school.
Our Vision
The vision of our school is to prepare and motivate students by instilling in them critical reasoning skills, respect for themselves.
The Standard
FDA takes P.R.I.D.E.
Five words the Academy holds itself to — one letter at a time, cut into everything the school asks of a student.
Preparation
Proper preparation prevents poor performance.
Respect
Respect ourselves, others and the community.
Integrity
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principle.
Determination
Demonstrating grit and perseverance in challenging moments.
Excellence
Education breeds excellence in all endeavors — always looking and striving to do your best.
Academics
A rigorous, innovative and rewarding curriculum.
FDA offers 11 Dual Enrollment College and Advanced Placement classes, and continues to develop relationships with colleges and universities so students can earn college credit while in high school at little to no cost. We expect all of our students to graduate with an Advanced New York State Regents Diploma.
Course informationEnglish
The English Department strives to explore literature by being canonically reverent and culturally relevant. As students progress, texts increase in complexity, and writing asks for uniquely nuanced and academically informed responses.
AP Language · AP Literature
History & Social Studies
By investigating the past, we hope our students will be instrumental in shaping a better future. The sequence is book-ended in senior year with Participation in Government and Economics.
AP US History · AP European History · AP Government · AP Economics
Language
As our world becomes increasingly competitive on a global scale, students learn additional languages and about other cultures. Travel opportunities are offered each year to enrich the experience.
French · Japanese · Latin · Spanish · AP Latin, French & Spanish
Mathematics
Not simply a bank of formulas, mathematics at FDA illuminates the connective tissue between all the different types of math — from algebra to geometry, from trigonometry to calculus.
AP Calculus AB · AP Statistics · AP Microeconomics
Science
The sciences are not only a systematic way to view the world, but also an academic way to challenge and question that world. Through experiments in labs, students take learning from theory to practice.
AP Biology · AP Chemistry · AP Physics
Athletics
The FDA Lions
Play for each other, play together, play hard, play smart.
PSAL's mission is to provide opportunities for educating students in physical fitness, character development and socialization skills through an athletic program that fosters teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.
In honoring that mission, FDA has a policy that each student who wants to participate in a sport must be in good academic standing, have a 90% attendance rate, and be meeting graduation requirements.
Varsity Girls
- Softball
- Basketball
- Fencing
- Track & Field
- Lacrosse
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
- Soccer (Varsity and JV)
Varsity Boys
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Fencing
- Track & Field
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Football (Varsity and JV)
- Wrestling
Student Life
Harlem Samba, Hello FDA, PSAL Sports, Harlem Lacrosse — and so much more.
Harlem Samba
A Brazilian percussion ensemble modeled after the samba school baterias of the Rio de Janeiro carnival — students, alumni and friends of the Academy.
The North Star
A student-run and operated newspaper that values journalistic integrity and balanced reporting.
Hello FDA
Each month, the students produce Hello FDA, featuring student life at the Academy.
History Club
Students visit New York City museums and other historical New York landmarks.
Visual Arts & Architecture
Three-year sequences in Visual Arts and in Architecture and Interior Design.
Harlem Lacrosse & Double Dutch
Harlem Lacrosse runs in both middle and high school, alongside Varsity Coed Double Dutch and the National Honor Society.
School Calendar
What is coming up
- Sep102026
First Day of School for Students
Start SY26 · T1 · MP1
- Sep212026
Yom Kippur
Schools closed
- Jan262027
Regents Administration
ELA Regents 8 AM – 12 PM · Earth & Space Science 12 PM – 4 PM
- Jan272027
Regents Administration
US History & Government 8 AM – 12 PM · Algebra I 12 PM – 4 PM
- Jan282027
Regents Administration
Global History & Geography II 8 AM – 12 PM · Geometry 12 PM – 4 PM
Our Namesake
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass (1817–1895). An escaped slave, Frederick Douglass became one of the foremost black abolitionists and civil rights leaders in the United States. His powerful speeches, newspaper articles, and books awakened whites to the evils of slavery and inspired blacks in their struggle for freedom and equality.
Read his storyI was nothing before — I was a man now.
Come and see the Academy.
Reach our Parent Coordinator, Ms. Yvette McKenzie, or visit us at 2581 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10039.