Skip to main content

Very Good

#1643 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 17% 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

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In La Palma

#2 of 5

public schools

California high schools

#283 of 1,892

In district

#3 of 21

Anaheim Union High

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About John F. Kennedy High

John F. Kennedy High serves 2,024 students in grades 9-12 in La Palma, California, a well-established suburban community in Orange County. With 84 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio and has earned a solid 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, ranking in the 80th percentile among California high schools at #1880 out of 9,566 schools statewide.

Academically, Kennedy High demonstrates strong performance in English Language Arts, with 71% of students achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 46% of students reaching proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 8.3 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement in this competitive educational landscape.

The school draws from a prosperous community where the median household income reaches $110,028 and home values average $868,400. With half of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 6.1%, the area provides a supportive educational environment. Kennedy High operates in this thriving large suburban setting on Walker Street, serving families who value educational excellence in Orange County's dynamic La Palma community.

What Parents Should Know

John F. Kennedy High is a large school with 2,024 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at John F. Kennedy High is 24.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.4%
Math vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.5 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+19.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21.9%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,747

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 47.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 75.9%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
46%
ELA
80%
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: 6.3/10.

How John F. Kennedy High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
83th percentile in CA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
84 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
21.9% participation·167 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · 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. Arthur F. Corey Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Buena Park), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Buena Terra Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Buena Park), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Oxford Academy (rated 8.0/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Cypress), 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 5.8
Los Coyotes Elementary La Palma 0.5 mi 6.8
Clara J. King Elementary Cypress 0.6 mi 6.8
George B. Miller Elementary La Palma 0.6 mi 6.7
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 5.9
Steve Luther Elementary La Palma 0.9 mi 7.9
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 8.0
Buena Terra Elementary Buena Park 1.0 mi 8.3
Raymond Temple Elementary Buena Park 1.2 mi 7.5
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 8.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding John F. Kennedy High has a median household income of $112,366. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $920,200, with a median rent of $2,224/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alta Loma High Alta Loma, CA 7.8
Amador Valley High Pleasanton, CA 7.8
American High Fremont, CA 7.8
Bonita Vista Senior High Chula Vista, CA 7.8
Bullard High Fresno, CA 7.8
El Cerrito High El Cerrito, CA 7.8

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 is ranked #1643 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

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

John F. Kennedy High has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

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

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John F. Kennedy High has 47.3% math proficiency and 75.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,033/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Palma). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.