Admissions

Selection Criteria for Screened Admissions

Screened programs at FDA admit the top-performing applicants from across each middle school citywide.

Screened programs @FDA will admit the top-performing applicants from across each middle school citywide.

Applicants to FDA will be in groups based on their final seventh-grade core course grades.

Students will be admitted to screened programs @FDA in group order, starting with students in group one.

Group One
The average of their final seventh grade core course grades falls in the highest 15% of their school or citywide, and that average is at least a 90.
Group Two
Not in group one; the average falls in the highest 30% of their school or citywide, and that average is at least an 80.
Group Three
Not in groups one or two; the average falls in the highest 50% of their school or citywide, and that average is at least a 70.
Group Four
Not in groups one, two, or three; the average falls in the highest 70% of their school or citywide, and that average is at least a 65.
Group Five
All other students.

If there are more applicants in group one than available seats, students from group one will be randomly selected for seats using the random number linked to each applicant's application.

If all students in group one can be accommodated at a school, students in group two will be considered next; if there are more applicants in group two than remaining available seats, then students in group two will be randomly selected for available seats.

This process will continue with subsequent groups until all seats are filled.

Applicants will see which admissions group they are in and what their random number is when they start their HS application, once it opens on October 12.

Ninth grade applicants to tenth grade seats will be grouped based on their final eighth-grade grades.

More detailed information about screening will be available when the high school application opens.

Questions families ask

Where can I learn if specific screened programs require additional assessments, and how to complete them?: FDA does not require an additional assessment.
Can I go to FDA as a Middle Schooler?: If you live in District 5, you may enter FDA Grades 6, 7, and 8 at the beginning of the school year only.

Get in touch

Talk to our Parent Coordinator

Ms. Yvette McKenzie can answer questions about applying, visiting and starting at FDA.

(212) 491-4107

Ext. 1653

Contact FDA

Apply through

MySchools (opens in a new tab)
Grades 6–12
District 5 · Harlem, New York City

Open House

Come and see the Academy

FDA holds open houses each autumn for prospective families. Call the main office for this year's dates and to register.

(212) 491-4107 Contact FDA