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#3466 of 4,739 schools in NY

John F Kennedy Middle School

Middle School · UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

500 DEERFIELD DR E, Utica, NY 13502

Enrollment

660

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

5.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Utica

#7 of 14

public schools

New York middle schools

#492 of 785

In district

#6 of 13

UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About John F Kennedy Middle School

John F Kennedy Middle School is a public middle school located in Utica, New York. Serving students from grade 7 through 8, the school has an enrollment of 660 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, with 57 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at John F Kennedy Middle School is currently rated at 4.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 30th percentile among New York schools and ranking 3333 out of 4758 schools statewide.

In terms of subject proficiency, only 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 24% meet or exceed standards in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth. John F Kennedy Middle School is situated in a small city setting, providing its diverse community with access to various resources within Utica’s vibrant environment.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at John F Kennedy Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35%
Math vs. State Avg-13.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-18.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment3.9Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,376

John F Kennedy Middle School — Students at John F Kennedy Middle School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 24.0%
School
State
30.6%
ELA Proficiency 33.5%
School
State
54.5%

Based on 8 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
23.7%
ELA
35%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How John F Kennedy Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
27th percentile in NY
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

500 DEERFIELD DR E, Utica, NY 13502

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John F Kennedy Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PERRY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.6/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby New Hartford), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SENATOR JAMES H DONOVAN MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 3.7/10, 3.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Utica, see our Utica schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.9 mi
School Distance Rating
DEERFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 1.2 mi 7.5
GENERAL HERKIMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 1.1 mi 5.0
THOMAS JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 1.1 mi 5.4
ALBANY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 2.3 mi 4.9
ROSCOE CONKLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 2.2 mi 4.5
THOMAS R PROCTOR HIGH SCHOOL Utica 2.7 mi 3.7
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE SCHOOL Utica 2.4 mi 4.8
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 2.9 mi 5.7
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 2.7 mi 3.2
UTICA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL Frankfort 3.3 mi 6.5
WATSON WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 3.2 mi 5.5
KERNAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 2.9 mi 5.5
MOHAWK VALLEY PSYCHIATRIC CENTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH Utica 3.4 mi
MARCY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Marcy 3.4 mi 6.1
SENATOR JAMES H DONOVAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Utica 3.5 mi 3.7
JOHN F HUGHES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 4.1 mi 6.4
NOTRE DAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 4.4 mi 7.1
HUGHES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Hartford 5.0 mi 7.2
PERRY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL New Hartford 5.2 mi 4.6
HUGH R JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica 4.9 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 13502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,530

Median Home Value

$149,600

Median Rent

$965/mo

Population

33,241

College Educated

25%

Homeownership

60.2%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding John F Kennedy Middle School has a median household income of $59,530. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,600, with a median rent of $965/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
ACCOMPSETT MIDDLE SCHOOL Smithtown, NY 5.4
CAROLINE G ATKINSON SCHOOL Freeport, NY 5.4
CORONA ARTS AND SCIENCES ACADEMY Corona, NY 5.4
IROQUOIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Elma, NY 5.4
JENNIE F SNAPP MIDDLE SCHOOL Endicott, NY 5.4
JOSEPH F QUINN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 77 Ridgewood, NY 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John F Kennedy Middle School

What grades does John F Kennedy Middle School serve?

John F Kennedy Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend John F Kennedy Middle School?

John F Kennedy Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 660 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at John F Kennedy Middle School is 11.6:1. 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 School rank in NY?

John F Kennedy Middle School is ranked #3466 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

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

John F Kennedy Middle 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John F Kennedy Middle School has 24.0% math proficiency and 33.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John F Kennedy Middle School a charter school?

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

Is John F Kennedy Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

76.1% of students at John F Kennedy Middle 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

City Safety
High (3,493/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
660
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Oneida County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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