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
Enrollment
2,024
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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John F. Kennedy High — Students at John F. Kennedy High score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 46% (2019) to 46.12% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 71.37% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (714) 220-4101
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Anaheim Union High- District Enrollment
- 27,195
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,342
- District Rank
- #3 of 21
Other Schools in This District
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.
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