At a glance
Reported students
1,391
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
97.85
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.2:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Connecticut high enrollment
89th percentile
Compared with 209 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
455
John F. Kennedy High School: 1,391 reported students.
State peer staffing position
86th percentile
14.2:1 reported; state peer median 11.4:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 1,326
- Teachers (FTE)
- 82
- Student–teacher ratio
- 16.2:1
What the reported data says about John F. Kennedy High School
John F. Kennedy High School is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Waterbury. It is one of 29 current school records connected to Waterbury School District. NCES reports 1,391 students for 2024–25.
Among 209 high schools in Connecticut with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 650 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 89th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.2:1, above the Connecticut median of 11.4:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (63%) and Black (22.6%). English learners represent 20.4% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 19%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, gifted and talented programming. The school reported 12 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking John F. Kennedy High School
- 1How do the reported 14.2:1 student–teacher ratio and 97.85 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 4 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 20.4%
- Students with disabilities
- 19%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 81.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 4
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 2
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White9.8%
- Hispanic63%
- Black22.6%
- Asian1.6%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial2.7%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
Students enrolled
12 distinct courses reported
Gifted and talented
Offered
Computer science
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Waterbury School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Crosby High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,453 reported students
Wilby High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,196 reported students
Waterbury Arts Magnet School
High · Grades 06–12
820 reported students
Waterbury Career Academy
High · Grades 09–12
709 reported students
Michael F. Wallace Middle School
Middle · Grades 04–08
1,059 reported students
West Side Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
848 reported students
Public schools near John F. Kennedy High School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury Arts Magnet School High · Waterbury School District | 06–12 | 820 | 1.2 mi |
| REGIONS staff secure Waterbury High · Judicial Centers | 06–12 | 0 | 1.3 mi |
| Waterbury Career Academy High · Waterbury School District | 09–12 | 709 | 2.1 mi |
| W. F. Kaynor Technical High School High · Connecticut Technical Education and Career System | 09–12 | 831 | 2.1 mi |
| Naugatuck High School High · Naugatuck School District | 09–12 | 1,202 | 3.8 mi |
| Watertown High School High · Watertown School District | 09–12 | 693 | 4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about John F. Kennedy High School
What grades does John F. Kennedy High School serve?
John F. Kennedy High School reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school in Waterbury School District.
How many students attend John F. Kennedy High School?
John F. Kennedy High School reported 1,391 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 89th percentile among 209 Connecticut high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 1,326 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at John F. Kennedy High School?
The calculated ratio is 14.2:1, based on 1,391 students and 97.85 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Connecticut median for the same school level is 11.4:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is John F. Kennedy High School a public, charter, or magnet school?
John F. Kennedy High School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Waterbury School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of John F. Kennedy High School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
81.8% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is John F. Kennedy High School in?
John F. Kennedy High School is part of Waterbury School District, based in Waterbury, CT, which operates 29 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near John F. Kennedy High School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Waterbury Arts Magnet School (1.2 mi), REGIONS staff secure Waterbury (1.3 mi), Waterbury Career Academy (2.1 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.