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Learning for all, excellence for all
Dual Language Immersion
Through our English-Spanish Dual Language Program, WPS provides an enriched, bilingual, bi-literate educational experience for students. Students have the opportunity to learn another language, receive the same high-quality curriculum, and grow into cross-cultural learners and critical thinkers.
Attendance
Every Day Counts at FDES! We need our Pandas in school, on time, ready to learn each day. Regular attendance is essential for young learners—it helps them build strong foundations in reading, math, and social skills, and sets the stage for long-term academic success.
Preschool Programs
FDES values early childhood education and hosts one 3-year-old preschool classroom and one 4-year-old preschool classroom through the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Additionally, the Spanish Immersion Preschool class offers a tuition-based option for students ages 3 and 4.
Large enough to innovate,
Small Enough To Make An Impression
About FDES
Principal
Principal's Message
Welcome to Frederick Douglass Elementary School, Home of the Pandas! On behalf of our dedicated faculty and staff, I want to extend a warm welcome to you and your family. We are thrilled to partner with you on your child's educational journey. Our school's theme, "Growing Global Leaders in Language and Literacy," provides a real-world context for learning, helping students build connections with diverse cultures, environments, and communities around the world.
Please feel free to explore our website to discover all the amazing things happening at FDES. We are confident you and your child will find our school to be a welcoming and nurturing environment. If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Melissa Maestle
Principal, Frederick Douglass Elementary School
Newsletter
Our Newsletters
Welcome, Pandas and families! We are excited to keep our families informed about all the wonderful things happening at our FDES. Our newsletters provide a great way to stay up-to-date on important announcements, upcoming events, and highlights from our classrooms. You'll find valuable information about our students' achievements and what's happening throughout the school year. We're proud to share the great work our students and staff are doing every day!
Here you will find our weekly and quarterly updates, or you may browse our archives.

