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Needs Improvement

#921 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

3.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Connecticut schools

#921 of 990

In Waterbury

#21 of 32

public schools

In district

#19 of 29

Waterbury School District

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John F. Kennedy High School

3.6/10

High School in Waterbury · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Side Middle School

3.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Aces at Chase

4.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About John F. Kennedy High School

John F. Kennedy High School is a public high school in Waterbury, CT, part of Waterbury School District. John F.

Kennedy High School serves approximately 1,391 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. John F. Kennedy High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #921 of 990 schools in CT.

Structured state assessment records for John F. Kennedy High School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.5
  • CT avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at John F. Kennedy High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)17% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness3.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate85%
AP Participation7.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,973
Chronic Absenteeism38.1%

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: 17%).

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 24.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from CT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
45%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
59%
2011
Math
38%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
24.5%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
36%
2015
Math
9%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
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: 5.2/10.

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
3.6/10
7th percentile in CT
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
5
3 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
98 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
7.5% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics5sports offered
3 boys'·2 girls'·12 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. W. F. Kaynor Technical High School (rated 6.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BAIS YAAKOV OF WATERBURY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Waterbury Arts Magnet School (rated 5.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably 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 3.3
ACES at Chase Waterbury 0.5 mi 4.2
Duggan School Waterbury 0.6 mi 5.4
B. W. Tinker School Waterbury 0.8 mi 2.4
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 4.8
Brass City Charter School Waterbury 1.4 mi 3.4
Waterbury Arts Magnet School Waterbury 1.2 mi 5.4
ALPHA & OMEGA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterbury 1.3 mi
Bunker Hill School Waterbury 1.5 mi 2.7
YESHIVA K'TANA OF WATERBURY Waterbury 1.4 mi 5.0
Driggs School Waterbury 1.5 mi 4.2
BAIS YAAKOV OF WATERBURY HIGH SCHOOL Waterbury 1.5 mi 5.9
Washington School Waterbury 1.3 mi 2.8
Hopeville School Waterbury 1.5 mi 3.8
F. J. Kingsbury School Waterbury 1.9 mi 3.2
Walsh School Waterbury 1.6 mi 5.8
W. F. Kaynor Technical High School Waterbury 2.1 mi 6.0
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
East Haven High School East Haven, CT 3.6
Crosby High School Waterbury, CT 3.7
Naugatuck High School Naugatuck, CT 3.7
Stratford High School Stratford, CT 3.7
James Hillhouse High School New Haven, CT 3.8
Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy Hartford, CT 4.0

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 ranks #921 of 990 schools in CT.

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

John F. Kennedy High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at John F. Kennedy High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John F. Kennedy High School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.1%
4-Year Graduation
85.0%

District

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

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