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
Enrollment
707
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How John F Kennedy High School Compares
See how John F Kennedy High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2021).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (720) 423-4300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C- District Enrollment
- 88,258
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,206
- District Rank
- #46 of 196
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 methodologyRelated reading
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