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Below Average

#6962 of 8,547 schools in TX

John F Kennedy EL

Elementary School · LA JOYA ISD

1801 N DIAMOND AVE, Penitas, TX 78576

Enrollment

661

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Penitas

#2 of 4

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#3,512 of 4,678

In district

#15 of 36

LA JOYA ISD

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About John F Kennedy EL

John F Kennedy Elementary in Penitas, Texas is a regular public school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 661 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, the school provides a manageable classroom environment with 40 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a large suburban area near Hidalgo County, John F Kennedy Elementary focuses on foundational education for young learners.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.7 out of 10, placing it at the 21st percentile among Texas schools. Its academic score reflects an average performance with 44% of students proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, John F Kennedy Elementary aims to support its diverse student body through various developmental programs.

Situated in a bustling suburban community, the school benefits from a supportive neighborhood that values education and community engagement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-11.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected+9.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,142

John F Kennedy EL — Students at John F Kennedy EL score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 43.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
60%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How John F Kennedy EL Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
19th percentile in TX
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

1801 N DIAMOND AVE, Penitas, TX 78576

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John F Kennedy EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NARCISO CAVAZOS (rated 5.4/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Mission), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PATRICIO PEREZ EL (rated 5.0/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Mission), with a very similar rating. Additionally, E B REYNA EL (rated 4.8/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Mission), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Penitas, see our Penitas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.9 mi
School Distance Rating
LORENZO DE ZAVALA MIDDLE La Joya 1.5 mi 4.8
IDEA LA JOYA COLLEGE PREPARATORY La Joya 1.6 mi 6.2
IDEA LA JOYA ACADEMY La Joya 1.6 mi 4.2
CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE Mission 1.9 mi 6.0
LA JOYA H S La Joya 2.0 mi 6.6
THELMA ROSA SALINAS STEM EARLY COLLEGE H S La Joya 2.2 mi 7.4
JIMMY CARTER EARLY COLLEGE H S La Joya 2.2 mi 7.3
HOPE ACADEMY La Joya 2.3 mi 7.5
TABASCO EL La Joya 2.4 mi 4.1
ANN RICHARDS MIDDLE Mission 2.6 mi 4.6
CORINA PENA EL Penitas 3.2 mi 4.2
GUILLERMO FLORES EL Mission 3.2 mi 3.5
LEO J LEO EL Mission 3.4 mi 4.6
HENRY B GONZALEZ EL Mission 3.5 mi 4.5
PREMIER H S OF PALMVIEW Lewisville 4.2 mi 5.7
PATRICIO PEREZ EL Mission 4.4 mi 5.0
NARCISO CAVAZOS Mission 4.4 mi 5.4
DR MARIA PALMIRA MENDIOLA EL Mission 4.8 mi 3.8
ELODIA R CHAPA EL Mission 4.8 mi 3.7
E B REYNA EL Mission 4.9 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78576 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,205

Median Home Value

$116,600

Median Rent

$629/mo

Population

13,902

College Educated

6%

Homeownership

81.1%

Poverty Rate

40.4%

Median Age

20.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding John F Kennedy EL has a median household income of $48,205. It is a community where 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,600, with a median rent of $629/month. The area has a poverty rate of 40.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BILLIE STEVENSON EL Fate, TX 4.8
BIRDVILLE EL Haltom City, TX 4.8
BONHAM ACADEMY San Antonio, TX 4.8
CANTU EL Mission, TX 4.8
CARROLL EL Frisco, TX 4.8
CARSON EL San Antonio, TX 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John F Kennedy EL

What grades does John F Kennedy EL serve?

John F Kennedy EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend John F Kennedy EL?

John F Kennedy EL has an enrollment of approximately 661 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at John F Kennedy EL is 16.5:1. 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 EL rank in TX?

John F Kennedy EL is ranked #6962 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is John F Kennedy EL's MySchoolScout rating?

John F Kennedy EL has a composite rating of 4.8 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 EL?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John F Kennedy EL has 43.5% math proficiency and 44.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John F Kennedy EL a charter school?

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

Is John F Kennedy EL a Title I school?

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

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

94.6% of students at John F Kennedy EL 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
Elevated (1,192/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hidalgo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

LA JOYA ISD
District Enrollment
23,998
Schools in District
37
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,592
District Rank
#15 of 36

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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