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Average

#880 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

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cedar Rapids

#26 of 40

public schools

Iowa high schools

#204 of 334

In district

#18 of 31

Cedar Rapids Comm School District

About John F Kennedy High School

John F Kennedy High School serves 1,719 students in grades 9-12 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, making it one of the larger high schools in the area. With 95 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for reasonably sized classes within this sizable learning community. Academically, Kennedy High School shows room for growth, with 74% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 63% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 34th percentile among Iowa high schools, indicating opportunities for continued academic development and support for its diverse student body. Located on Wenig Road in northeast Cedar Rapids, the school serves a stable middle-class community where the median household income reaches $71,048 and 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 12.3%, with median home values around $175,100, reflecting a community that values education and homeownership.

The school's mid-size city setting provides students with both suburban conveniences and access to the broader cultural and economic opportunities that Cedar Rapids offers, creating an environment where students can pursue their academic goals while remaining connected to their local community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.1 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation27.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,232

John F Kennedy High School — Students at John F Kennedy High School score 68% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

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 67.5%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 75.5%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
79%
ELA
80%
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: 2.5/10.

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
5.7/10
31th percentile in IA
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
95 teachers

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. Nixon Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Hiawatha), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wright Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SUMMIT SCHOOLS (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away), 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 6.1
Hiawatha Elementary School Hiawatha 0.9 mi 6.7
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 7.8
Nixon Elementary School Hiawatha 1.5 mi 8.3
Harding Middle School Cedar Rapids 1.6 mi 6.4
SUMMIT SCHOOLS Cedar Rapids 1.7 mi 7.5
Garfield Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.0 mi 3.6
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Middle Cedar Rapids 2.1 mi 4.8
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Elementary Cedar Rapids 2.1 mi
Viola Gibson Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.0 mi 7.2
Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.7 mi 4.6
REGIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 2.3 mi 4.9
Kenwood Leadership Academy School Cedar Rapids 2.1 mi 7.2
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 2.2 mi 5.3
Franklin Middle School Cedar Rapids 2.7 mi 4.9
Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.6 mi 6.5
Madison Elementary School Cedar Rapids 3.1 mi 6.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding John F Kennedy High School has a median household income of $71,319. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,700, with a median rent of $992/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Indianola High School Indianola, IA 5.7
Linn-Mar High School Marion, IA 5.7
George Washington High School Cedar Rapids, IA 5.8
Muscatine High School Muscatine, IA 5.8
Dubuque Senior High School Dubuque, IA 5.6
Valley High School West Des Moines, IA 5.6

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 is ranked #880 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

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

John F Kennedy High School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 67.5% math proficiency and 75.5% 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?

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
21 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,957/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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