Douglas S. Freeman High School

Freeman is an amazing school. It is very diverse and the students are really friendly . There isn't much of a bulling problem. Freeman stands up against it. Academically it is more challenging then most schools but the teachers are there willing to help kids anytime they can. There is something there for everyone
—Submitted by a student

I am a Freeman graduate, and I could not imagine having had a better experience elsewhere. I took challenging classes and really feel that I was well prepared for college. The English department in particular is excellent, I believe, although the entire school is committed to excellence in the classroom. The Freeman community is such a wonderful community to be a part of as well. The students and parents are all very active in the school and community. I highly recommend DSF.

We've been disappointed in the Leadership Center and Freeman . The individual teachers are great and care about the students. But the program isn't well integrated and there is little communication between departments or with parents ( other than the occasional pre-recorded phone call.) The students have 7 classes a day, and it is very common to have 2 tests, 3-4 quizzes and a major project due every day for the last 2 weeks of every quarter . It's just a grind. The Leadership Center has no activities that bring the whole class together--you just have 3 of 7 classes with the same people. Most clubs meet once a month for an hour, so if you don't play a sport, and you're not from Tuckahoe Middle, there's not much activity to build friendships. Guidance is helpful, but overworked. Academically it is the same as any Henrico honors classes. It's nothing special.
—Submitted by a parent

Its a great place to learn and the staff are friendly and helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

Our experience has been that the cultural diversity is wonderful, they are very progressive in their technology and administrative services have been beyond the usual in support.
—Submitted by a parent

The education offers everything a student could want. The only problems I can think of are the language department, which should change methods, and the administration due to varying student needs (see your guidance counselor; they make the difference going through the system). I've taken mostly honors and AP, but the college prep courses cover their topics well. Even though they offer every AP imaginable, there are courses, like World Lit, Regional Studies and various business courses, which provide some breadth and character to your studies. Science has ups and downs, but I think they've notice and they're improving. The math and history departments are solid. You couldn't find a better English department. The Center courses make a large difference - not only in applications - but in actual scholarship. It is a family: Everyone wants and expects to do well and thrive off the atmosphere.
—Submitted by a student

2008 graduate of the Leadership Center attending top 20 university -The socioeconomic diversity: Some kids live in one bedroom apartments and others live in multi-million dollar homes. -Administration is incredibly nice, although sometimes unhelpful. -Regular classes are easy, requiring little work. -Honors/AP Math and English will prepare you very well for college. -The science and history departments are mixed. Take AP Chem over AP Bio. -Leadership Center= best teachers and opportunities, gpa advantages. There is a required internship that counts as an honors class. -top 5% with 1500+ SATS and something special (D1 athletics, great internship, disability) ivy league is possible. -top 10%= UVA, W&M, W&L, Wake Forest (hard to achieve if not in Leadership Center). -top 25%= Va Tech and JMU (average upper-middle class kid can achieve if they try hard).
—Submitted by a student

Student is the honors or AP programs are getting the best possible instruction out there. This school cares about real learning, not just memorization and top AP scores show that. Colleges know Freeman's reputation. I have found the teachers in the upper tier courses to be clear on content and demanding of students, but equally considerate of the students' best interest. This is a great school
—Submitted by a parent

My child has just started at Freeman and I am very disappointed. It is very disorganized. There was no real orientation for Freshman, just a Fee Night with welcome speeches. Other area high schools had an orientation where freshmen spent 1/2 day at the school, touring the facilities, locating their classrooms and meeting teachers. Nothing like that at Freeman! Instead, we received a map with ink blots that made most of the freshman classroom numbers illegible. No information was given about school hours, lunch times, location of the cafeteria, etc. The principal is relatively new and came from a middle school, so perhaps she just doesn't know how to provide a good orientation for high school freshmen, but other staff members should have clued her in.
—Submitted by a parent

I am extremly pleased with Freeman, my daughter was in the IB program at Moody, but decided to attend Freeman instead of continuing in the program. Great decision, she has made so many friends here, and for the first time is really enjoying the experience of regular kids, instead of kids that think they are better than others. I am thrilled, and life couldn't be better for her .
—Submitted by a parent

fabulous school! equal or better in quality of education compared with local private schools.
—Submitted by a student

I am currently attending this school, and I am extremely pleased. The teachers are great, the students are caring, and there is a general high standard for excellence. Parents, have no qualms about sending your child to this school; DSF rules!
—Submitted by a student

Two of my other children have gone to other area high schools through the center programs (Hermitage and Deep Run). I am, by far, happiest with Freeman High School. The kids are friendly, the teachers are superior and involved with the kids, and the parents are wonderful. When I first heard they call this 'the Freeman Family' I was skeptical. No more. This title fits perfectly!
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Freeman in 2003. DSF is a great place to attend high school. It's relatively small size (compared to Godwin, Tucker) is a real bonus for individual attention. Many of the teachers currently teach their old friends' children, which allows for a real community atmosphere. Students are exposed to many different cultures, which can include exorbitantly rich white children. Luckily, virtually everyone gets along with one another. As stated before, the parents are very involved because many of them also attended Freeman. The Leadership Specialty Center is also grade-A. The current administration (save the stodgy assistant principle) is incredibly helpful and gracious.
—Submitted by a former student

College preparatory emphasis, great diversity which is an education in itself, high expectations of students is the norm and students seem to meet those expectations on a regular basis.
—Submitted by a teacher