Frederick Douglass High School

I won't say that FDHS is the best high school in PG County, it's a pretty good school compared to some others. I visited with all 7 of my child's teachers during the parent-teacher conference on 11/11 and for the most part we had a a pretty good visit with my child teachers. Someone made the comment below that the school had a sanitary condition that needed to be address. This is TRUE and I did indeed notice this while walking around the school. I know my child is a well-behaved child and it showed when one of the teachers made the comment that he wish he had 10 of my child. So yes, we as parents need to make sure that our child is behaving properly. My child knows if I get a phone call from a teacher thats going to be a big issue! PARENTS CHECK ON YOUR CHILD!! CALL/EMAIL THEIR TEACHERS. DISRUPTIVE KIDS ARE HURTING OUR CLASSROOMS!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I am one of a student here at FDHS, and this school is good i wouldn't say GREAT PLACE but it a good place to learn at, and to be comfortable in the environment,but since the upcoming freshmen in 2011, things have been going out of control, food fights, fire alarm pulled, riots as part of the 2011 senior prank, but this school is still fun and will hold alot of memories as time fly by, i would also concluded that the school need more money to rebuild and improve their sanitary , theirs fly cockroaches i didn't even know they can fly everywhere and mice, this school need a exterminator and some money other then that THIS IS A GOOD SCHOOL, im glad that ill be leaving soon c/o 2013 :)
--Submitted by a student

I have found FDHS to be a very interesting school, with very bright and intelligent students. The Administrators and some teachers are very helpful and approachable, however, the hiring of more experienced and educated teachers is the existing COUNTY problem. The REAL problem lies with the parental participation, because the child is now in HS, doesn't mean that WE, the PARENT can not continue to play a vital role in their lives. THEY ARE NOT GROWN, if they are then...WTH are they doing in HS?...do you see the problem??? If your child is disrespectful at home, guess what, YOUR child will be disrespectful at school. STOPING blaming the school and teachers! Grant it, some of the teachers (not all just SOME) at FDHS are the WORST, thats when YOU, as the parent, are suppose to be visible and let the teacher know to do her job as TEACHER, and you will do yours as PARENT!!! Come on PARENTS, lets raise UP and be Parent, and support our children and teachers!!! Let's stop the county from destroying our schools in PG County!! Cut OUT all the Politics is SCHOOL system, because it is DESTROYING our FUTURE!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I've spent much time here, getting involved. There are some really good kids and teachers here, but unfortunately the good is being overwhelmed by the 'not so good'. I caution any parent and child to avoid this school by any means necessary. If you are a military family moving to the area, make sure you do not purchase/rent in this school zone. If your child requires special education services, opt to homeschool her. The incompetence is painful. Also, professionalism is lacking here, from top to bottom, and you're better off at another high school or moving out of the county. This school should rename itself Croom Road HS until it is worthy to carry the name of Frederick Douglass. The best solution for this school is for it to become strictly a trade school or a child reform school for the county. And based on conversations with several past parents/graduates, the state should have taken this school over years ago.
--Submitted by a parent

I think Frederick Douglass High School is one of if not the Best High School in this County. Mr. Saunders is an extremely warm and caring administrator. He is accessble to concerns and act upon those concerns in a timely manner. Sure student behavior is a problem throughout this County, but instead of complaining, how about spending more time at the school seeing what you can do to make it better. I agree that some of the teachers leave a lot to be desired, but what are you doing to help to send them out the door?????

I feel like the students at Frederick Doulgass high School give Mr.Douglass a bad name. The students are way out of contorl, and the teachers do a horrible job at handling their kids. The school needs more improvement. Also, I'm a senior in the class of 2010. The class at school is broke and I feel like the school doesn't even care. They raise money for all this other stuff, and my class is going to end up having prom in the gym. The school seems cheap to me, and it always needs money, and I find this very sad. I'm glad to be leaving Douglass this year.
--Submitted by a student

My daughter is a senior at Douglass. I am really happy that this is her last year. I agree with the comments made about Mr. Sanders. He is not approachable. There a a few good teachers who really do show interest in their students. Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Romos to name a few. The students walk the hallways using vulgar language. If I didn't know any better, I would think I was in a D.C. public high school.
--Submitted by a parent

As a current teacher at Frederick Douglass High School, I find it extremely offensive when I read such negative comments from parents referring to the teachers 'feelings' and interactions. This is my second year at Douglass but my seventh year in the county and I believe Douglass has an excellent staff and programs. The principal interacts EXTREMELY well with the staff and students. He also received the Educator of the Year award in 2009. Douglass test scores remain among the top 10 in the county although there is room for improvement and the teachers are not afraid of the students. Those reading comments on this page need to keep in mind that one persons experience may be different from your experience, however, I am one that works in this environment daily and can provide accurate testimony. It is not a bad school at all.
--Submitted by a teacher

I am a graduate of douglass. My expirence there was very interesting. Becuase i transferred from a private school to douglass, i felt that i was always a step ahead of my classmates. Things that were being taught in 11th grade at douglass i had already learned in 9th grade. Douglass has the potential to be a great school. The teachers (i think) need a little more training on how to cope with disruptive students. It was so many times that class was disrupted because the teacher got so frustrated with a 'bad' child and thought that the solution was to stop teaching and make everyone be quite and 'read to themsleves'. That took away from eveyone's learning expirence. If at all possible i would suggest sending your child to private school. I was not financially able to finish my 4 years at mcnamara, but i really wish i had.
--Submitted by Ms. ATFH, a former student

I am very concerned about the quality of the teachers, class sizes and lunch. I don't think the teachers are of high quality and vary methodology enough to ensure all children are learning. Test scores are horrible and have been for some time. Children are not learning the skills necessary to get the scores they need to get into a good college and graduate from HS for that matter with the new standardized test. The English curriculum is not teaching vocabulary enough. I don't think teachers are held accountable for children success they seem to blame the child. Lunch food is not health and lines are long.
--Submitted by a parent