Needs Improvement
#2425 of 2,466 schools in NJ
John F. Kennedy High School
High School · Paterson Public School District
61-127 PREAKNESS AVENUE, Paterson, NJ 07502
Enrollment
1,794
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
3.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,794
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
3.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey schools
#2,425 of 2,466
In Paterson
#40 of 46
public schools
In district
#37 of 43
Paterson Public School District
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John F. Kennedy High School
High School in Paterson · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Joseph A. Taub School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
School 19
0.4 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 Paterson, NJ, part of Paterson Public School District. John F.
Kennedy High School serves approximately 1,794 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. John F. Kennedy High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,425 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
Structured state assessment records for John F. Kennedy High School show 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).
- This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.6
- NJ avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
61% 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 metricsView breakdown
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John F. Kennedy High School — Students at John F. Kennedy High School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.3/10.
How John F. Kennedy High School Compares
See how John F. Kennedy High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
61-127 PREAKNESS AVENUE, Paterson, NJ 07502
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John F. Kennedy High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. International High School (rated 4.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Newcomers High School (rated 3.3/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Paterson, see our Paterson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph A. Taub School Paterson | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| School 19 Paterson | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| School 7 Paterson | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| School 5 Paterson | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| DAWN TREADER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Paterson | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| College Achieve Paterson Charter School Tinton Falls | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Paterson Arts and Science Charter School Fair Lawn | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| International High School Paterson | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Community Charter School of Paterson Paterson | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| COMPASSION HOUSE OUTREACH MNSTR & CHRSTAN EDUC CTR Paterson | 0.6 mi | — |
| School 2 Paterson | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| John P. Holland Charter School Woodland | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| ST GERARD MAJELLA SCHOOL Paterson | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| School 27 Paterson | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| School 3 Paterson | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Young Men's Academy Paterson | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Newcomers High School Paterson | 0.9 mi | 3.3 |
| School 28 Paterson | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Rev. Dr. Frank Napier Jr. School Paterson | 1.0 mi | 3.3 |
| School One Woodland Park | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,649
Median Home Value
$347,200
Median Rent
$1,492/mo
Population
17,488
College Educated
16.5%
Homeownership
53%
Avg Commute
25.5 min
Poverty Rate
22.4%
Median Age
33.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Regional High School Bayville, NJ | 3.3 |
| Irvington High School Irvington, NJ | 3.3 |
| Millville High School Millville, NJ | 3.3 |
| Neptune High School Neptune, NJ | 3.3 |
| Plainfield High School Plainfield, NJ | 3.3 |
| East Orange Campus High School East Orange, NJ | 3.2 |
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 1,794 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John F. Kennedy High School?
The student-teacher ratio at John F. Kennedy High School is 12.5:1. 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 High School rank in NJ?
John F. Kennedy High School ranks #2,425 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is John F. Kennedy High School's MySchoolScout rating?
John F. Kennedy High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).
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?
48.0% 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,794
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 143
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Passaic County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 60.8%
- Phone
- (973) 321-0500
- 4-Year Graduation
- 67.0%
Resources & Links
District
Paterson Public School District- District Enrollment
- 24,692
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,885
- District Rank
- #37 of 43
Other Schools in This District
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