Below Average
#862 of 990 schools in CT
John F. Kennedy High School
High School · Waterbury School District
422 Highland Ave., Waterbury, CT 06708
Enrollment
1,391
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,391
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterbury
#15 of 32
public schools
Connecticut high schools
#178 of 196
In district
#13 of 29
Waterbury School District
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About John F. Kennedy High School
John F. Kennedy High School serves 1,391 students in grades 9-12 in Waterbury, Connecticut, with a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1 and 98 full-time equivalent teachers. Located on Highland Avenue in this mid-size city, the school operates as a regular public high school with significant room for academic growth.
The school faces academic challenges, with 22% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 2% achieving proficiency in mathematics across grade levels. These results place Kennedy High School at #960 out of 996 Connecticut high schools, indicating the need for continued focus on student development and educational support. The school draws from the surrounding 06708 area, a diverse community of 29,215 residents where the median household income is $61,111 and median home values are $179,400.
About 21% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 15.6% of families experience poverty, reflecting the varied socioeconomic backgrounds of students who attend the school. Kennedy High School operates within Waterbury's urban environment, serving as an important educational institution for families in this Connecticut Planning Region 4 community that balances working-class roots with ongoing development.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at John F. Kennedy High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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John F. Kennedy High School — Students at John F. Kennedy High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from CT 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: 8.1/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
422 Highland Ave., Waterbury, CT 06708
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John F. Kennedy High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BAIS YAAKOV OF WATERBURY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Waterbury Arts Magnet School (rated 5.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Waterbury, see our Waterbury schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Side Middle School Waterbury | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| ACES at Chase Waterbury | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Duggan School Waterbury | 0.6 mi | 4.0 |
| B. W. Tinker School Waterbury | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| CATHOLIC STREAM ACADEMY OF WATERBURY Waterbury | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL Waterbury | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School Waterbury | 1.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Brass City Charter School Waterbury | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Waterbury Arts Magnet School Waterbury | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| ALPHA & OMEGA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterbury | 1.3 mi | — |
| Bunker Hill School Waterbury | 1.5 mi | 3.8 |
| YESHIVA K'TANA OF WATERBURY Waterbury | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Driggs School Waterbury | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| BAIS YAAKOV OF WATERBURY HIGH SCHOOL Waterbury | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Washington School Waterbury | 1.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Hopeville School Waterbury | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| F. J. Kingsbury School Waterbury | 1.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Walsh School Waterbury | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| W. F. Kaynor Technical High School Waterbury | 2.1 mi | 4.4 |
| CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL Waterbury | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 06708 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,705
Median Home Value
$196,700
Median Rent
$1,275/mo
Population
29,103
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
54.9%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding John F. Kennedy High School has a median household income of $63,705. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $196,700, with a median rent of $1,275/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Rockville High School Vernon, CT | 4.4 |
| Warren Harding High School Bridgeport, CT | 4.3 |
| West Haven High School West Haven, CT | 4.3 |
| Wilby High School Waterbury, CT | 4.0 |
| Crosby High School Waterbury, CT | 3.9 |
| East Hartford High School East Hartford, CT | 5.0 |
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 1,391 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John F. Kennedy High School?
The student-teacher ratio at John F. Kennedy High School is 14.2:1. 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 CT?
John F. Kennedy High School is ranked #862 out of 990 schools in CT.
What is John F. Kennedy High School's MySchoolScout rating?
John F. Kennedy High School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 9.8% math proficiency and 28.0% 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?
82.8% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,391
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 98
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Connecticut Planning Region 4
- Phone
- (203) 574-8153
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waterbury School District- District Enrollment
- 18,956
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,973
- District Rank
- #13 of 29
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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