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Below Average

#1019 of 1,280 schools in IA

John F Kennedy High School

High School · Cedar Rapids Comm School District

4545 Wenig Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Enrollment

1,719

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,019 of 1,280

In Cedar Rapids

#15 of 40

public schools

In district

#9 of 31

Cedar Rapids Comm School District

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John F Kennedy High School

4.8/10

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

Pierce Elementary School

5.8/10

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

Hiawatha Elementary School

6.3/10

0.9 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 Cedar Rapids, IA, part of Cedar Rapids Comm School District. John F Kennedy High School serves approximately 1,719 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. John F Kennedy High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,019 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for John F Kennedy High School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 3.9
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

33% 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 Progress3.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+0.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)78% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation27.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,623
Chronic Absenteeism33%

John F Kennedy High School — Students at John F Kennedy High School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 81.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
86%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
89%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
90%
ELA
88%
2015
Math
84%
ELA
84%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
81%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
79%
ELA
80%
2019
Math
79%
ELA
80%
2020*
Math
63%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
63%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
66.6%
ELA
74%

* 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: 3.5/10.

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
4.8/10
21th percentile in IA
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 1.7
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
95 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
27.1% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·60 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

4545 Wenig Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John F Kennedy High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Viola Gibson Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SUMMIT SCHOOLS (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hiawatha Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Hiawatha), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cedar Rapids, see our Cedar Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Pierce Elementary School Cedar Rapids 0.2 mi 5.8
Hiawatha Elementary School Hiawatha 0.9 mi 6.3
ESSENTIAL MONTESSORI Hiawatha 0.9 mi
ISAAC NEWTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cedar Rapids 1.3 mi 6.2
ST PIUS X ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 1.1 mi 5.1
Wright Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.2 mi 4.0
Nixon Elementary School Hiawatha 1.5 mi 4.4
Harding Middle School Cedar Rapids 1.6 mi 6.2
SUMMIT SCHOOLS Cedar Rapids 1.7 mi 7.5
Garfield Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.0 mi 2.7
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Middle Cedar Rapids 2.1 mi 4.0
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Elementary Cedar Rapids 2.1 mi
Viola Gibson Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.0 mi 7.8
Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.7 mi 3.5
REGIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 2.3 mi 4.9
Kenwood Leadership Academy School Cedar Rapids 2.1 mi 4.5
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 2.2 mi 5.3
Franklin Middle School Cedar Rapids 2.7 mi 4.2
Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.6 mi 4.6
Madison Elementary School Cedar Rapids 3.1 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52402 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,319

Median Home Value

$188,700

Median Rent

$992/mo

Population

43,076

College Educated

41.4%

Homeownership

64.9%

Avg Commute

17.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

35.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Iowa City High School Iowa City, IA 4.8
Muscatine High School Muscatine, IA 4.8
North Scott High School Eldridge, IA 4.9
West High School Waterloo, IA 4.9
Linn-Mar High School Marion, IA 5.0
Waukee High School Waukee, IA 4.6

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 1,719 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at John F Kennedy High School is 18.1:1. 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 IA?

John F Kennedy High School ranks #1,019 of 1,280 schools in IA.

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

John F Kennedy High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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?

31.4% 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
24 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,719
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
95
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Linn County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.0%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Cedar Rapids Comm School District
District Enrollment
15,589
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,623
District Rank
#9 of 31

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