Frederick Douglass Academy V. Middle School

Test scores at FDA V have come a long way since 2016, when just 17% of students passed ELA and a mere 10% passed math. By 2024, those numbers had climbed to 44% and 33% respectively — genuine growth that reflected years of effort. But the 2025 scores tell a different story: ELA dropped to 41.7% and math cratered to 18.7%, placing the school well below the district averages of 44.6% ELA and 43.3% math. Grade-level data reveals a concerning pattern — 6th graders are performing notably stronger (57% ELA) than 8th graders (32% ELA), suggesting that something may be happening in the upper grades that isn't working. The overall 1.21/4 score is below the district average of 1.76, though the school does offer accelerated/honors track options for students who are keeping pace.

The climate data paints a complicated picture. Teachers report strong trust in leadership (82%) and each other (85%), and 85% say instruction quality is solid — numbers that suggest the adults in the building are working hard and believe in what they're doing. But families tell a different story: parent satisfaction sits at just 48.8%, and with only 3 survey responses from families, it's clear most parents aren't engaged with the school or don't feel their voices matter. The 53.4% chronic absenteeism rate is a crisis — more than half of students are missing too much school to keep up. The suspension rate of 4% is ten times the district average, and suspensions have climbed from 3 in 2021-22 to 7 in 2023-24, suggesting discipline practices may be escalating rather than de-escalating conflicts. This is a school where the day-to-day experience likely varies wildly depending on whether you're a teacher or a parent.

With 230 students across three grades, this is a small middle school where everyone knows your name — for better or worse. The student body is 69% Hispanic and 25% Black, with very small Asian (1%) and white (4%) populations, giving a diversity index of 46%. Nearly 30% of students have IEPs, suggesting significant special education support needs. The neighborhood of Tremont is predominantly working-class and low-income, with a median household income of just $32,208 and a 36.2% poverty rate. Only 15% of residents have a bachelor's degree, and just 7.5% own their homes — this is a community of renters, service workers, and families stretching every dollar. The school reflects this community authentically.

Tremont is one of the Bronx's most family-dense neighborhoods (81st percentile), which means there are lots of kids around and the school is very much embedded in a residential community. However, the neighborhood scores low on education orientation (35th percentile) and safety (near the bottom at 4.98), which matters because parents considering this school are likely evaluating the whole package — where their child will walk, wait for the bus, or spend time after school. The area has significant environmental health concerns, including elevated lead rates (15.2%) and high asthma emergency department visits (75.5 per 1,000). Transit access is decent (60th percentile), which helps families who don't drive. Median home values have climbed to $442,724, but that reflects broader Bronx trends rather than neighborhood affluence — most families here rent.

Tremont is a walkable residential neighborhood where most families arrive on foot or by bus. The high family density means the area around the school likely sees significant foot traffic, though parents should factor in the neighborhood's safety scores when considering logistics.