Frederick Douglass High School, is an American public high school established in 1935 and located in the Croom census-designated place of unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, with a mailing address of Upper Marlboro and near Upper Marlboro.
Serving 1,183 students in grades 9-12, Frederick Douglass High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Maryland for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 15% (which is lower than the Maryland state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 50-54% (which is higher than the Maryland state average of 45%).
The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Maryland state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Maryland state average of 69% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,183 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 92% (Top 50% in MD)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 15% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 50-54% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 30-34% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Frederick Douglass High serves the southeast part of Upper Marlboro, MD, covering an area of approximately 35 square miles. Most students typically have a drive of 10 to 12 minutes to reach the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 5.5 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Frederick Douglass High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Maryland for:
Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
School Overview
Frederick Douglass High School's student population of 1,183 students has grown by 6% over five school years.
The teacher population of 62 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,183 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
62 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1923
School Rankings
Frederick Douglass High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,338 schools in Maryland (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Frederick Douglass High School is 0.28, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.74. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#688 out of 1338 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
27%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
45%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
36%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
14:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
1%
7%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
11%
24%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Black
84%
32%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
White
1%
31%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
2%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
92%
85.8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)30.2%
32.4%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
40%
46%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Total Sports Offered
19 sports
Sports
BaseballBasketball
CheeringCross Country
Cross Country RunningDance
FootballGolf
LacrosseSoccer
SoftballSwimming
Swimming and DivingTennis
TrackTrack and Field
Volley BallWinter Track
Wrestling
Colors
Burgundy and Gold
School Mascot
Eagles
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
13 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Anime ClubBelle Couture Modeling Club
Debate TeamDrama Club
French ClubIB Ambassadors Club
Japan Exchange ProgramLeo Club
Mock TrialMulticultural Club
National Honor SocietyPhotography Club
Student Government Association
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
School Notes
- Frederick Douglass High School is anInternational Baccalaureate World School, offering a Middle Years Programme and a Diploma Programme. Students who receive an IB Diploma can be granted a significant amount of college credit depending on the university they attend along with being well prepared for success in college and in careers in the global market. FDHS is the most successful IB Diploma Programme in the Prince George's County Public Schools system, with 44% of DP students receiving IB Diplomas in 2016. FDHS also boasts a graduation rate of 92.6%. There are also great extra curricular activities and sports programs at FDHS. Students can participate on the Debate or Mock Trial teams, international travel through the Japan exchange program and World Language trips or focus on community service in the Leo or IB Ambassadors clubs. The football team won the Maryland State Championship in 2014, as well as the basketball, soccer and volleyball teams earning county division titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Frederick Douglass High School's ranking?
Frederick Douglass High School is ranked #688 out of 1,338 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Maryland.
What schools are Frederick Douglass High School often compared to?
Frederick Douglass High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
15% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% MD state average), while 50-54% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% MD state average).
What is the graduation rate of Frederick Douglass High School?
The graduation rate of Frederick Douglass High School is 92%, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 85.8%.
How many students attend Frederick Douglass High School?
1,183 students attend Frederick Douglass High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
84% of Frederick Douglass High School students are Black, 11% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Frederick Douglass High School?
Frederick Douglass High School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 14:1.
What grades does Frederick Douglass High School offer ?
Frederick Douglass High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Frederick Douglass High School part of?
Frederick Douglass High School is part of Prince George's County School District.
In what neighborhood is Frederick Douglass High School located?
Frederick Douglass High School is located in the Greater Upper Marlboro neighborhood of Upper Marlboro, MD. There are 2 other public schools located in Greater Upper Marlboro.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
Did you know that the FDHS class of 2011 earned over $3 million in scholarships? Nine FDHS fall sports teams touted a cumulative GPA of 2.95, 45 FDHS fall student- athletes earned at least a 3.25 GPA and were recognized by the State, and the 2011 FDHS Valedictorian was named a PG County student of the week.
By the way, FDHS consistently meets or exceeds the Adequate Yearly Progress measurement as defined by the US Government's No Child Left Behind Act. That accomplishment puts FDHS in a very small group of PG County public high schools.
The aforementioned statistics are just a snippet of the good things that are going on at Douglass. Good things that have become the norm despite the luke warm parental involvement. Are there issues at Douglass? Yes. Can those issues be resolved? Yes!
I am the current FDHS PTSA President, FDHS Parent, and a proponent of Public Education. I've found experienced teachers, caring administrators, and competent staff at Douglass. I am asking each of you to use your energies to "become the change you want to see" at Douglass. Join us in making Douglass the award winning school it is destined to be! ([email protected])
5 10/10/2025
This school is fantastic. It has amazing academic opportunities, such as dissection and lab experiments. There are also a lot of extracurricular activities available and their art classes are great. The teachers are helpful and genuinely seem to care about their students. Plus, there are metal detectors as a safety precaution. It is one of the best schools that I have ever been to.
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