John F Kennedy High School

2855 South Lamar Street
Denver, CO 80227
(School attendance zone shown in map)
: 
3/
10
Bottom 50%
John F. Kennedy High School is a public secondary school located in the Bear Valley neighborhood on the southwest side of Denver, Colorado, United States. The school serves about 1,500 students in grades 9-12 in the Denver Public Schools system.
Serving 681 students in grades 9-12, John F Kennedy High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Colorado for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 15-19% (which is lower than the Colorado state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 25-29% (which is lower than the Colorado state average of 45%).
The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the Colorado state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Colorado state average of 51% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 681 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 89%
  • : 86% (Top 50% in CO)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 15-19% (Btm 50%)
  • : 25-29% (Btm 50%)
  • : 10-14% (Btm 50%)
  • : John F. Kennedy High School serves the southwest part of Denver, CO, covering an area of approximately 10.5 square miles. The typical drive to the school takes around 5 to 10 minutes, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located 3.5 miles away.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education

School Overview

John F Kennedy High School's student population of 681 students has declined by 22% over five school years.
The teacher population of 49 teachers has declined by 19% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
681 students

Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

Total Classroom Teachers
49 teachers

Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

Year Founded
1964
School Calendar

School Rankings

John F Kennedy High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,748 schools in Colorado (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of John F Kennedy High School is 0.41, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (CO)
#1301 out of 1748 schools
(Bottom 50%)

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

15-19%
33%

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

25-29%
45%

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

(20-21)
10-14%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1

Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian
1%
1%

Showing 2014–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓

Asian
7%
3%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic
76%
37%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓

Black
3%
5%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓

White
11%
49%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓

Two or more races
2%
5%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓

All Ethnic Groups
89%
0.41

Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓

86%
82.7%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

(22-23)
73.3%
33.6%
Eligible for Free Lunch
71%
39%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓

Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
5%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓

School Statewide Testing

Sports

Colors
Navy Blue, Kelly green
School Mascot
Commanders
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is John F Kennedy High School's ranking?
John F Kennedy High School is ranked #1301 out of 1,748 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Colorado.
What schools are John F Kennedy High School often compared to?
John F Kennedy High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Bear Creek High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
15-19% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% CO state average), while 25-29% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% CO state average).
What is the graduation rate of John F Kennedy High School?
The graduation rate of John F Kennedy High School is 86%, which is higher than the Colorado state average of 82.7%.
How many students attend John F Kennedy High School?
681 students attend John F Kennedy High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
76% of John F Kennedy High School students are Hispanic, 11% of students are White, 7% of students are Asian, 3% of students are Black, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of John F Kennedy High School?
John F Kennedy High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is lower than the Colorado state average of 15:1.
What grades does John F Kennedy High School offer ?
John F Kennedy High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is John F Kennedy High School part of?
In what neighborhood is John F Kennedy High School located?
John F Kennedy High School is located in the Bear Valley neighborhood of Denver, CO. There are 2 other public schools located in Bear Valley.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 681 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 89%
  • : 86% (Top 50%)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 15-19% (Btm 50%)
  • : 25-29% (Btm 50%)
  • : 10-14% (Btm 50%)
  • : John F. Kennedy High School serves the southwest part of Denver, CO, covering an area of approximately 10.5 square miles. The typical drive to the school takes around 5 to 10 minutes, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located 3.5 miles away.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education

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