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Very Good

#329 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 18% in state

John F Kennedy High School

High School · School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

2855 SOUTH LAMAR STREET, Denver, CO 80227

Enrollment

707

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#47 of 222

public schools

Colorado high schools

#39 of 403

In district

#46 of 196

School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About John F Kennedy High School

John F Kennedy High School is a public high school located in the heart of Denver, Colorado. With an enrollment of 707 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to its diverse student body. The teaching staff comprises 54 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting each student's educational journey.

Despite being in the lower rankings for academic performance—sitting at the 33rd percentile among Colorado schools with a state ranking of #1229 out of 1831 schools—the school is committed to fostering an environment where students can grow and develop. The ELA/Reading proficiency stands at 32% across all grades, while Math proficiency lags significantly at only 10%. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing its efforts on improvement.

Nestled in a bustling urban setting within Denver's city limits, John F Kennedy High School benefits from the rich cultural and educational resources available in this vibrant community. The school’s environment offers students numerous opportunities to engage with the larger city, providing a dynamic backdrop for their high school experience.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness10.0Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,336

John F Kennedy High School — Students at John F Kennedy High School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
12%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How John F Kennedy High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
82th percentile in CO
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
·556 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2855 SOUTH LAMAR STREET, Denver, CO 80227

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John F Kennedy High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Summit Academy (rated 7.5/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Addenbrooke Classical Academy (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Lakewood), with a comparable rating. Additionally, MULLEN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Traylor Academy Denver 0.3 mi 4.3
Bear Valley International School Denver 0.5 mi 6.4
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denver 0.8 mi 6.0
COLORADO ACADEMY Denver 1.0 mi 6.5
Addenbrooke Classical Academy Lakewood 1.0 mi 6.9
DENVER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lakewood 1.2 mi 7.2
Addenbrooke Classical Grammar School Lakewood 1.3 mi 6.5
Summit Academy Denver 1.3 mi 7.5
NOTRE DAME PARISH SCHOOL Denver 1.3 mi 6.1
Sabin World School Denver 1.2 mi 8.5
Mountview Youth Service Center Denver 1.4 mi
HAVERN SCHOOL Littleton 1.6 mi 7.6
Westgate Elementary School Lakewood 1.4 mi 5.3
Doull Elementary School Denver 1.5 mi 8.6
Denison Montessori School Denver 1.7 mi 7.3
Lasley Elementary School Lakewood 2.0 mi 3.7
Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy Denver 1.8 mi 3.5
Green Gables Elementary School Lakewood 1.8 mi 3.9
MULLEN HIGH SCHOOL Denver 1.8 mi 5.4
Force Elementary School Denver 2.1 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80227 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,796

Median Home Value

$535,000

Median Rent

$1,786/mo

Population

34,946

College Educated

44.1%

Homeownership

66.5%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

7.6%

Median Age

39.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding John F Kennedy High School has a median household income of $88,796. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $535,000, with a median rent of $1,786/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
The Classical Academy High School Colorado Springs, CO 7.7
DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School Denver, CO 7.4
Elizabeth High School Elizabeth, CO 7.4
Battle Mountain High School Edwards, CO 7.3
DSST: Montview High School Denver, CO 7.3
DSST: Cedar High School Denver, CO 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John F Kennedy High School

What grades does John F Kennedy High School serve?

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

How many students attend John F Kennedy High School?

John F Kennedy High School has an enrollment of approximately 707 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at John F Kennedy High School is 13.1:1. 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 School rank in CO?

John F Kennedy High School is ranked #329 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

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

John F Kennedy High School 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John F Kennedy High School has 10.5% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John F Kennedy High School a charter school?

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

Is John F Kennedy High School a Title I school?

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

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

77.8% of students at John F Kennedy High School 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
23 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
65 Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,773/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
707
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Denver County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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