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Below Average

#1863 of 2,105 schools in WI

Kennedy Elementary

Elementary School · Madison Metropolitan School District

221 Meadowlark Dr, Madison, WI 53714

Enrollment

579

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,863 of 2,105

In Madison

#51 of 54

public schools

In district

#49 of 52

Madison Metropolitan School District

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Kennedy Elementary

4.3/10

Elementary School in Madison · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Toad Hill Childrens House

Nearby

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Elvehjem Elementary

7.4/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Kennedy Elementary

Kennedy Elementary is a public elementary school in Madison, WI, part of Madison Metropolitan School District. Kennedy Elementary serves approximately 579 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Kennedy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,863 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Kennedy Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Kennedy Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.5% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.6% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-28.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.7 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-14.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,411
Chronic Absenteeism36.1%

Kennedy Elementary — Students at Kennedy Elementary score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 36.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
84%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
27%
2012
Math
43%
ELA
31%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
28%
2014
Math
33%
ELA
40%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
51%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
51%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
26.9%
2025
Math
25.5%
ELA
25.6%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Kennedy Elementary Compares

See how Kennedy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
12th percentile in WI
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
5.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

221 Meadowlark Dr, Madison, WI 53714

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kennedy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lowell Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Monona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Elvehjem Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
TOAD HILL CHILDRENS HOUSE Madison 0.6 mi
Elvehjem Elementary Madison 1.1 mi 7.4
HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Madison 1.1 mi 5.7
ST DENNIS SCHOOL Madison 1.0 mi 6.9
ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison 1.6 mi 7.5
Whitehorse Middle Madison 1.3 mi 4.5
Schenk Elementary Madison 1.4 mi 6.2
WINGS TO SOAR ONLINE ACADEMY Madison 1.7 mi 4.2
BLOOMING GROVE MONTESSORI Madison 1.4 mi 3.9
Milestone Democratic School Madison 2.4 mi 7.3
Hawthorne Elementary Madison 2.0 mi 5.5
Monona Grove High Monona 2.1 mi 5.9
LaFollette High Madison 2.4 mi 4.5
EASTSIDE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Madison 2.5 mi 6.9
Dr Virginia Henderson Elementary School Madison 2.6 mi 7.4
Sennett Middle Madison 2.5 mi 5.2
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Monona 2.5 mi 8.0
Lowell Elementary Madison 2.2 mi 8.4
Monona Grove Liberal Arts Monona 2.7 mi 8.3
Sandburg Elementary Madison 3.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53714 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,862

Median Home Value

$275,000

Median Rent

$1,220/mo

Population

16,340

College Educated

40.4%

Homeownership

59.1%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

40.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Johnson Elementary Racine, WI 4.3
U S Grant School Milwaukee, WI 4.3
Greenfield Bilingual Milwaukee, WI 4.2
Jefferson Elementary West Allis, WI 4.2
Keshena Primary Keshena, WI 4.2
Pineview Elementary Reedsburg, WI 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kennedy Elementary

What grades does Kennedy Elementary serve?

Kennedy Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Kennedy Elementary?

Kennedy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 579 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kennedy Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Kennedy Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kennedy Elementary rank in WI?

Kennedy Elementary ranks #1,863 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Kennedy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Kennedy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Kennedy Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kennedy Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Kennedy Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Kennedy Elementary a Title I school?

No, Kennedy Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kennedy Elementary?

54.6% of students at Kennedy Elementary 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

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Dane County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.1%

District

Madison Metropolitan School District
District Enrollment
25,247
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,411
District Rank
#49 of 52

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