At a Glance
A small, high-trust school in the Bronx where families feel heard and teachers stay — though test score data isn't reported
Families who prioritize a small, personal school environment with strong family-teacher relationships and are comfortable with the tradeoffs of limited academic data. Parents who value teacher retention and trust in leadership, and who want their child in a school with zero suspensions. Families who are less concerned about test score transparency and more focused on a supportive, intimate community feel — particularly those who can navigate the neighborhood's transit options and are aware of local safety considerations.
- Near-unanimous family trust — 99% parent satisfaction with teachers and principal
- Zero suspensions in a district where most schools have some disciplinary incidents
- Highly competitive admissions — 470 applicants for 86 seats (20% offer rate)
- Exceptional teacher morale — 99% teacher trust in leadership
- Rich programming despite small size — 100/100 program richness score including arts, athletics, STEM, and world languages
- Strong AP and college-prep offerings including humanities concentration
- No academic proficiency data available — parents cannot benchmark student achievement
- Neighborhood safety scores rank in the 11th percentile — families should factor this into their decision
- Very small enrollment (255 students) means limited course variety and sports teams
- Only 24 teachers responded to the survey — small staff echo may not represent all perspectives
- 31% of students have IEPs — strong special education support exists, but class sizes may be impacted
- Neighborhood has few families with children — the community feel may differ from more family-oriented areas
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 9
Among District 9 peer schools, Frederick Douglass Academy III doesn't appear in the top-performing charter and district school rankings (which are dominated by charters like Icahn Charter School 1 at 99/100 and Success Academy Bronx 2 at 97/100). However, the school's cultural climate data is exceptional — teacher trust, parent satisfaction, and discipline all outperform district averages by wide margins. Without test score data, it's difficult to compare academic outcomes directly, but the school clearly excels in the relational dimensions that make daily school life workable for students and families.
Academic performance data is not provided for this school, making it difficult to benchmark student achievement against district averages of 45% proficiency in both ELA and math. The school does offer AP courses, humanities programming, and world languages including French and Spanish, indicating a college-preparatory focus.
This is where the data tells a clear story: 99% of parents trust teachers, 99% trust the principal, and 96% rate instruction quality as high — all significantly above district averages. Teachers are equally committed, with 99% expressing trust in leadership and 95% reporting strong collegial bonds. Zero suspensions and a 62% family survey response rate (well above typical) suggest a culture where families are engaged and disciplinary issues are managed through relationship-building rather than exclusion.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic (58%) and Black (39%), reflecting the surrounding neighborhood's demographics. With 92.7% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch and 31% receiving special education services, this is a high-need population. The diversity index sits at 44%, and with just 255 students across four grades, every family is part of a small, tight-knit community.
Claremont Village sits in the South Bronx, a neighborhood that has seen significant investment and development in recent years but still faces challenges. Safety scores are low (11th percentile), though transit access is strong (75th percentile). The area has very few families with children — only 10% of households — and extremely low homeownership (2.7%), indicating a transient community. Environmental health metrics show concerns, with elevated asthma rates and lead exposure risks. Families should know they're choosing a school in a community that feels more urban and challenging than family-friendly.
The Bronx has solid transit options, and the school is accessible via local bus routes. Families walking should be aware of the neighborhood's safety considerations, particularly after dark.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 130 families responded (62% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
We pride ourselves on our four core values: community awareness, respect, professionalism, and education. Scholars engage in a rigorous learning experience that encourages them to adopt these core values, starting as early as freshman year. FDA III empowers every scholar, every day through culturally relevant programs: a structured and sequential curriculum, enrichment programs, mentorship & guidance, wellness supports, family engagement, community development, and academic support.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Frederick Douglass Academy III Secondary School a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Frederick Douglass Academy III Secondary School yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Claremont Village-Claremont (East).
- What grades does Frederick Douglass Academy III Secondary School serve?
- Frederick Douglass Academy III Secondary School serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into Frederick Douglass Academy III Secondary School?
- Frederick Douglass Academy III Secondary School admits mostly by lottery, with a modest preference for students who show interest (a tour or info session).
- Is Frederick Douglass Academy III Secondary School public, charter, or private?
- Frederick Douglass Academy III Secondary School is a public school in NYC Community School District 9.
- What neighborhood is Frederick Douglass Academy III Secondary School in?
- Frederick Douglass Academy III Secondary School is in Claremont Village-Claremont (East), Bronx.
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Discipline
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