Average
#1739 of 2,463 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
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,794
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Paterson
#17 of 42
public schools
New Jersey high schools
#298 of 422
In district
#19 of 42
Paterson Public School District
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About John F. Kennedy High School
John F. Kennedy High School serves 1,794 students in grades 9-12 in Paterson, New Jersey. This large public high school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1 with 143 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
The school is working to strengthen its academic outcomes, with current test scores showing significant room for growth. In English Language Arts, 12% of students perform at proficient levels or above, while mathematics instruction presents particular opportunities for improvement. With its lower ranking among New Jersey high schools, the school community recognizes the need for continued focus on student development and academic support.
Located on Preakness Avenue, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $72,036 and median home values reach $329,700. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of economic backgrounds, with about 18% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite facing socioeconomic challenges, with a 22.3% poverty rate in the area, the school continues its mission to educate students in this densely populated ZIP code of over 17,000 residents.
John F. Kennedy High School operates within Paterson's large suburban setting, serving families throughout this established Passaic County community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at John F. Kennedy High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
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 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from NJ 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: 8.5/10.
How John F. Kennedy High School Compares
See how John F. Kennedy High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 0.5% (2019) to 0.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 6% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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. School 28 (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is International High School (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DAWN TREADER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.1 |
| School 19 Paterson | 0.4 mi | 4.2 |
| School 7 Paterson | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| School 5 Paterson | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| DAWN TREADER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Paterson | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| College Achieve Paterson Charter School Tinton Falls | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Paterson Arts and Science Charter School Fair Lawn | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
| International High School Paterson | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Community Charter School of Paterson Paterson | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| COMPASSION HOUSE OUTREACH MNSTR & CHRSTAN EDUC CTR Paterson | 0.6 mi | — |
| School 2 Paterson | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| John P. Holland Charter School Woodland | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| ST GERARD MAJELLA SCHOOL Paterson | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| School 27 Paterson | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| School 3 Paterson | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Young Men's Academy Paterson | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Newcomers High School Paterson | 0.9 mi | — |
| School 28 Paterson | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Rev. Dr. Frank Napier Jr. School Paterson | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| School One Woodland Park | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding John F. Kennedy High School has a median household income of $68,649. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,200, with a median rent of $1,492/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Hamilton East - Steinert Hamilton, NJ | 5.4 |
| Long Branch High School Long Branch, NJ | 5.4 |
| Neptune High School Neptune, NJ | 5.4 |
| Gloucester County Institute of Technology Sewell, NJ | 5.5 |
| Lacey Township High School Lanoka Harbor, NJ | 5.5 |
| Phillipsburg High School Phillipsburg, NJ | 5.5 |
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 is ranked #1739 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is John F. Kennedy High School's MySchoolScout rating?
John F. Kennedy High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 1.0% math proficiency and 11.2% 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?
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
- Walk Score
- 86 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 49 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 53 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,339/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paterson). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (973) 321-0500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paterson Public School District- District Enrollment
- 24,692
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,885
- District Rank
- #19 of 42
Other Schools in This District
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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