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Excellent

#1065 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 11% in state

John F. Kennedy High

High School · Anaheim Union High

8281 Walker St., La Palma, CA 90623

Enrollment

2,024

Student-Teacher

24.1:1

Score

8.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,065 of 9,539

In La Palma

#2 of 5

public schools

In district

#2 of 21

Anaheim Union High

Equity

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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John F. Kennedy High

8.3/10

High School in La Palma · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Walker Junior High

6.7/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Los Coyotes Elementary

8.5/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About John F. Kennedy High

John F. Kennedy High is a public high school in La Palma, CA, part of Anaheim Union High. John F.

Kennedy High serves approximately 2,024 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio. John F. Kennedy High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,065 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for John F. Kennedy High show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.6
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

John F. Kennedy High is a large school: 2,024 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

John F. Kennedy High runs 24.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.5 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+19.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness9.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate97%
AP Participation21.9%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,342
Chronic Absenteeism18.5%

John F. Kennedy High — Students at John F. Kennedy High score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 74.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
62%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
46%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
71%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
80%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
80%
2020*
Math
51%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
81%
2024
Math
46.1%
ELA
71.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.

How John F. Kennedy High Compares

See how John F. Kennedy High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
89th percentile in CA
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
6.4/10
Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.6
Sports
25
12 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
84 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered IB Programme
21.9% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·167 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics25sports offered
12 boys'·13 girls'·49 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8281 Walker St., La Palma, CA 90623

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John F. Kennedy High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Oxford Academy (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Cypress), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Buena Terra Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Buena Park), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Los Coyotes Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in La Palma, see our La Palma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Walker Junior High La Palma 0.1 mi 6.7
Los Coyotes Elementary La Palma 0.5 mi 8.5
Clara J. King Elementary Cypress 0.6 mi 8.0
George B. Miller Elementary La Palma 0.6 mi 6.6
Hebron Mission School Cypress 0.6 mi
CYPRESS MONTESSORI ACADEMY Cypress 0.6 mi
ST IRENAEUS PARISH SCHOOL Cypress 0.8 mi 6.4
St. Irenaeus Catholic Elementary Cypress 0.9 mi
San Marino Elementary Buena Park 0.8 mi 6.0
Steve Luther Elementary La Palma 0.9 mi 8.0
SMART START MONTESSORI Buena Park 1.0 mi
SPEECH & LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT CENTER Buena Park 1.0 mi 7.3
Speech and Language Development Center Buena Park 1.0 mi
Oxford Academy Cypress 1.2 mi 8.9
Buena Terra Elementary Buena Park 1.0 mi 8.6
Raymond Temple Elementary Buena Park 1.2 mi 6.3
Beacon Day School La Palma 1.4 mi
BEACON DAY SCHOOL La Palma 1.4 mi 8.0
SEMITA SCHOOL La Palma 1.4 mi
Arthur F. Corey Elementary Buena Park 1.4 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90623 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$112,366

Median Home Value

$920,200

Median Rent

$2,224/mo

Population

15,369

College Educated

48.8%

Homeownership

68.3%

Avg Commute

32.8 min

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

46.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Branham High San Jose, CA 8.3
Canyon Crest Academy Encinitas, CA 8.3
Gabrielino High San Gabriel, CA 8.3
Rancho Buena Vista High Vista, CA 8.3
Reedley High Reedley, CA 8.3
San Clemente High San Clemente, CA 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John F. Kennedy High

What grades does John F. Kennedy High serve?

John F. Kennedy High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend John F. Kennedy High?

John F. Kennedy High has an enrollment of approximately 2,024 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John F. Kennedy High?

The student-teacher ratio at John F. Kennedy High is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John F. Kennedy High rank in CA?

John F. Kennedy High ranks #1,065 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is John F. Kennedy High's MySchoolScout rating?

John F. Kennedy High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at John F. Kennedy High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John F. Kennedy High has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is John F. Kennedy High a charter school?

No, John F. Kennedy High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John F. Kennedy High a Title I school?

No, John F. Kennedy High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John F. Kennedy High?

62.7% of students at John F. Kennedy High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,024
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
84
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.5%
4-Year Graduation
97.0%

District

Anaheim Union High
District Enrollment
27,195
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,342
District Rank
#2 of 21

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