Original Research by School Decision on Kennedy Senior High
Kennedy Senior High is one of two comprehensive public high schools in Bloomington, a large post–World War II suburb of Minneapolis. The school serves grades nine through twelve and enrolls a large student body. The student population is notably diverse: Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed by similar-sized groups of White and Black students, with smaller Asian and multiracial populations. A substantial majority of students come from low-income households, as reflected in the share qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. The school is part of the Bloomington Public School District, which operates fifteen schools across the city.
Academically, the most recent state assessment data, from a single school year, shows that roughly a quarter of students met proficiency standards in English language arts, and about a fifth did so in math. These results represent a one-year snapshot, so no trend is available to indicate improvement or decline. Because this is a regular high school, a graduation rate would be expected, but that data was not provided, and the school’s performance relative to other high schools in Hennepin County could not be calculated due to missing metrics. A parent may want to ask the school directly about its four-year graduation rate and how it supports students who are below proficiency.
The district offers several programs that Kennedy students can access. The Bloomington Career and College Academy (BCCA) allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn credit while still enrolled, creating a pathway to postsecondary education. The district also operates New Code Academy, a fully online K–12 school taught by Bloomington teachers, which gives families a permanent remote option. A Computer Science Immersion program, run in partnership with the University of Minnesota, integrates computer science across subjects at the elementary and middle school levels, though it is not clear how that directly extends to Kennedy. These district-level offerings provide additional academic pathways beyond the standard high school curriculum.
Bloomington itself is a car-oriented suburb with major freeways and a light rail line connecting the Mall of America to downtown Minneapolis. The city has more jobs per resident than Minneapolis or Saint Paul, with major employers including the Mall of America, HealthPartners, and several corporate headquarters. About a third of the city is parkland. The school sits in a residential area of the city. The housing market is moderately priced relative to the Minneapolis metro area, with home values and rents typical of a large inner-ring suburb. Recent voter-approved investments include a new public health and community center and park improvements.
Overall, Kennedy Senior High serves a large, economically diverse student body in a suburban setting with substantial commercial and employment density. The available academic data points to modest test performance, and the absence of a graduation rate or multi-year trends leaves open questions about student outcomes. Families considering the school may want to explore the district’s career academy and online learning options, and to seek additional information on post-graduate success rates. The school fits students who will attend a large, diverse high school within a district that provides alternative educational pathways, set in a community with strong job access and civic amenities.
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