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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,580

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 9.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from CT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.4/10
13th percentile in CT
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
98 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waterbury School District
District Enrollment
18,956
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,973
District Rank
#13 of 29

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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