Douglass High School is a public high school in Memphis, United States, Tennessee, operated in the Shelby County Schools. Located in the African American Douglass neighborhood in North Memphis, it is named for Frederick Douglass, a 19th-century abolitionist. The original Douglass High School was built in 1938.
Serving 671 students in grades 9-12, Douglass High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Tennessee for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 7% (which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 31%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 10% (which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 37%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Tennessee state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 43% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 671 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 80-84% (Btm 50% in TN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 7% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 10% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
School Overview
Douglass High School's student population of 671 students has grown by 19% over five school years.
The teacher population of 33 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
671 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
33 teachers
Year Founded
2008
School Rankings
Douglass High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,761 schools in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Douglass High School is 0.39, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1673 out of 1761 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
7%
31%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
10%
37%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
40%
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
19%
15%
Black
76%
21%
White
1%
57%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
80-84%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
76%
45%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Red Devils
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Douglass High School's ranking?
Douglass High School is ranked #1673 out of 1,761 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Tennessee.
What schools are Douglass High School often compared to?
Douglass High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Craigmont High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
7% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 31% TN state average), while 10% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 37% TN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Douglass High School?
The graduation rate of Douglass High School is 80-84%, which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 90%.
How many students attend Douglass High School?
671 students attend Douglass High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
76% of Douglass High School students are Black, 19% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Douglass High School?
Douglass High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 15:1.
What grades does Douglass High School offer ?
Douglass High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Douglass High School part of?
Douglass High School is part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District.
In what neighborhood is Douglass High School located?
Douglass High School is located in the Douglass neighborhood of Memphis, TN. There are 1 other public schools located in Douglass.
School Reviews
Review Douglass High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
