Excellent
#119 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 7% in state
John F Kennedy Middle
Middle School · Waltham
655 Lexington St, Waltham, MA 02452
Enrollment
628
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
628
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waltham
#1 of 10
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#20 of 305
In district
#1 of 10
Waltham
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About John F Kennedy Middle
John F Kennedy Middle is a public middle school in Waltham, MA, part of the Waltham. The school serves approximately 628 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 93.4th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 45% proficiency in math, 4 points above the state average and 49% in reading/language arts, 4 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $112,902, where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
John F Kennedy Middle — Students at John F Kennedy Middle score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 66 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.0/10.
How John F Kennedy Middle Compares
See how John F Kennedy Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 46% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 48% (2022).
Location
655 Lexington St, Waltham, MA 02452
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John F Kennedy Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jonas Clarke Middle (rated 9.0/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Lexington), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, John W. McDevitt Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Waltham, see our Waltham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Waltham Sr High Waltham | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| CHAPEL HILL CHAUNCY HALL SCHOOL Waltham | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Northeast Elementary School Waltham | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| OUR LADYS ACADEMY Waltham | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| GANN ACADEMY-THE NEW JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL Waltham | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Thomas R Plympton Elementary School Waltham | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| John W. McDevitt Middle School Waltham | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Waltham | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| MILESTONES DAY SCHOOL Waltham | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| COTTING SCHOOL Lexington | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| LEXINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| James Fitzgerald Elementary School Waltham | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program Waltham | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Bowman Lexington | 2.0 mi | 9.3 |
| COMMUNITY THERAPEUTIC DAY SCHOOL Lexington | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Henry Whittemore Elementary School Waltham | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Jonas Clarke Middle Lexington | 2.3 mi | 9.0 |
| William F. Stanley Elementary School Waltham | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL, INC DBA JCDS BOSTONS Watertown | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Franklin West Newton | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02452 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$112,902
Median Home Value
$779,900
Median Rent
$2,325/mo
Population
16,173
College Educated
54.3%
Homeownership
51.1%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
32.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding John F Kennedy Middle has a median household income of $112,902. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $779,900, with a median rent of $2,325/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Blanchard Middle Westford, MA | 8.6 |
| High Rock School Needham, MA | 8.6 |
| Oak Hill Middle Newton Centre, MA | 8.6 |
| North Reading Middle North Reading, MA | 8.5 |
| Marshall Simonds Middle Burlington, MA | 8.4 |
| Watertown Middle Watertown, MA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John F Kennedy Middle
What grades does John F Kennedy Middle serve?
John F Kennedy Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend John F Kennedy Middle?
John F Kennedy Middle has an enrollment of approximately 628 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John F Kennedy Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at John F Kennedy Middle is 10.5:1. 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 Middle rank in MA?
John F Kennedy Middle is ranked #119 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is John F Kennedy Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
John F Kennedy Middle has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John F Kennedy Middle has 44.7% math proficiency and 49.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John F Kennedy Middle a charter school?
No, John F Kennedy Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John F Kennedy Middle a Title I school?
No, John F Kennedy Middle is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 41 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 21 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 26 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (962/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waltham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 628
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (781) 314-5563
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waltham- District Enrollment
- 5,709
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,267
- District Rank
- #1 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 methodologyRelated reading
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