Original Research by School Decision on John F Kennedy High School
John F Kennedy High School is one of the comprehensive high schools serving the Cedar Rapids Community School District, a large district that has been in a period of visible change. The district has opened three new elementary schools since 2022, consolidated older buildings, and redrawn attendance boundaries across the city. At the secondary level, the district launched City View Community High School, an alternative focused on community-based learning. For a family considering Kennedy, the point is that the district is actively reshaping its footprint, and that context matters for what programs and resources are available.
The school itself is a regular public high school serving grades nine through twelve. It is a large school, sizable for its grade band, and its student body is predominantly white. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The racial and ethnic composition is not especially diverse compared with many metro-area high schools, though there is a meaningful presence of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students.
State testing results are available for a single recent year, so there is no trend line to assess. On that one data point, a majority of students met proficiency benchmarks in English language arts, and a smaller but still solid majority did so in math. Science proficiency was somewhat lower. These are aggregate figures, and a family who wants to understand performance for specific groups or in specific courses would need to ask the school directly. The data provided does not break down results by student subgroups or by subject beyond the three core areas.
The school’s offerings in terms of Advanced Placement, career and technical education, or dual-credit courses were not included in the data available for this profile, which is a notable gap. Given that Kennedy is a large, regular public high school in a district that describes its educational approach as offering varied pathways, it would be reasonable to expect a range of course levels, but the specifics are not confirmed here. A parent exploring Kennedy should ask the school directly about the breadth of its academic tracks, including AP and concurrent enrollment with local colleges.
Cedar Rapids itself is a mid-sized city with a distinct economic identity. It is a hub for grain and corn processing, with major facilities operated by companies like Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, General Mills, and Quaker Oats. Collins Aerospace, a large aerospace firm, is also headquartered there. The city has a downtown core along the Cedar River, with cultural institutions such as the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, and the Paramount Theatre. The city experienced a devastating flood in 2008 that reshaped parts of its downtown and infrastructure. More recently, in 2025, a major data center project was announced, described as the largest economic development in the city’s history.
Housing in the area near the school has been appreciating at a moderate pace. Rents have risen more sharply in recent years, which is consistent with broader national trends. The local housing market is not as expensive as the national median, but it is not inexpensive either, particularly as demand continues. The unemployment rate has been steady and low.
The district has faced budget pressure due to declining enrollment and state funding that has not kept up with inflation. That led to budget reductions for the 2024-25 school year, including staff cuts and program adjustments. This is the kind of reality that can affect class sizes and course availability, especially at a large high school where staffing decisions have broad impact. Kennedy's academic performance data is limited to one snapshot, and without trend information, it is hard to know whether the school is improving, holding steady, or facing challenges. A family considering Kennedy would benefit from a direct conversation with the school about its current course offerings, any recent changes, and how it supports students across different levels of readiness.
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