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#2842 of 3,813 schools in IL

John Kennedy Middle Grade School

Elementary School · Kankakee SD 111

1550 W Calista St, Kankakee, IL 60901

Enrollment

515

Student-Teacher

22.4:1

Score

5.3

Grades

2nd – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kankakee

#7 of 11

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,685 of 2,326

In district

#6 of 10

Kankakee SD 111

About John Kennedy Middle Grade School

John Kennedy Middle Grade School is an elementary school located in Kankakee, Illinois, serving students from second to sixth grade. With a total enrollment of 515 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.4:1, the school provides personalized attention and support to each child. The school has 23 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to ensure that every student receives quality education.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, John Kennedy Middle Grade School scores a 4.1 out of 10 overall and ranks at #3060 among the 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it in the 20th percentile statewide. Academically, students have room for improvement with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 19% and a Math proficiency rate of 10%. While these numbers suggest areas needing focus, the school is committed to student development and continuous improvement.

John Kennedy Middle Grade School is situated in a small city setting within Kankakee County. The school community works together to create an inclusive environment that supports the growth and well-being of all its students.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at John Kennedy Middle Grade School is 22.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency14%
Overall Proficiency11%
Expected (poverty-adj.)7%
vs. Expected+4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,370

John Kennedy Middle Grade School — Students at John Kennedy Middle Grade School score 10% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 19.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
14%
ELA
24%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
19%
2022
ELA
14%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How John Kennedy Middle Grade School Compares

See how John Kennedy Middle Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in IL
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

1550 W Calista St, Kankakee, IL 60901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Kennedy Middle Grade School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shabbona Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Bourbonnais), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alan B Shepard Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Bourbonnais), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bradley West Elem School (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Bradley), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kankakee, see our Kankakee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Taft Primary School Kankakee 0.2 mi 3.8
Kankakee High School Kankakee 0.6 mi 6.6
KANKAKEE TRINITY ACADEMY Kankakee 0.7 mi 6.2
BISHOP MCNAMARA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Kankakee 1.7 mi 3.8
Bradley West Elem School Bradley 2.1 mi 7.5
Steuben Elementary School Kankakee 1.6 mi 6.2
Proegler School Kankakee 1.8 mi 4.7
Bradley Central Middle School Bradley 2.4 mi 5.4
King Middle Grade School Kankakee 2.0 mi 4.9
Lincoln Cltrl Ctr-Montessori Elem Kankakee 2.0 mi 4.6
Bradley-Bourbonnais C High School Bradley 2.6 mi 6.8
Bradley East Elem School Bradley 2.5 mi 6.4
Edison Primary School Kankakee 2.3 mi 5.9
BISHOP MCNAMARA CATHOLIC SCHOOL,BOURBONNAIS Bourbonnais 3.1 mi 6.9
Shabbona Elem School Bourbonnais 3.3 mi 8.3
Alan B Shepard Elem School Bourbonnais 3.4 mi 7.8
Mark Twain Primary School Kankakee 2.7 mi 6.8
Kankakee Junior High School Kankakee 2.7 mi 6.1
Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center Bourbonnais 3.7 mi 5.6
Noel Levasseur Elem School Bourbonnais 4.0 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,557

Median Home Value

$143,200

Median Rent

$1,020/mo

Population

33,224

College Educated

15.7%

Homeownership

60.6%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

21.7%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding John Kennedy Middle Grade School has a median household income of $54,557. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,200, with a median rent of $1,020/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Arthur Froberg Elem School Rockford, IL 5.3
Azuela Elem School Chicago, IL 5.3
Bluffview Elem School Dupo, IL 5.3
CICS - West Belden Campus Chicago, IL 5.3
Canterbury Elem School Crystal Lake, IL 5.3
Carl Sandburg Elementary Joliet, IL 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Kennedy Middle Grade School

What grades does John Kennedy Middle Grade School serve?

John Kennedy Middle Grade School serves students in grades 2nd through 6th.

How many students attend John Kennedy Middle Grade School?

John Kennedy Middle Grade School has an enrollment of approximately 515 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Kennedy Middle Grade School?

The student-teacher ratio at John Kennedy Middle Grade School is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Kennedy Middle Grade School rank in IL?

John Kennedy Middle Grade School is ranked #2842 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is John Kennedy Middle Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?

John Kennedy Middle Grade School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Kennedy Middle Grade School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Kennedy Middle Grade School has 10.5% math proficiency and 19.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John Kennedy Middle Grade School a charter school?

No, John Kennedy Middle Grade School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John Kennedy Middle Grade School a Title I school?

No, John Kennedy Middle Grade School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Kennedy Middle Grade School?

93.0% of students at John Kennedy Middle Grade 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

County Safety
Low (204/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
2nd – 6th
Enrollment
515
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Kankakee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kankakee SD 111
District Enrollment
4,655
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,743
District Rank
#6 of 10

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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