The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in Math. The lowest is 42% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Kennedy Elementary
Kennedy Elementary serves children from kindergarten through fourth grade in Hastings, a historic river town and the county seat of Dakota County that has grown into a Twin Cities suburb without losing its small-town feel. The city sits at the confluence of the Mississippi, Vermillion, and St. Croix Rivers, with a downtown commercial district, riverfront parks, and about thirty miles of paved trails. Schools in the Hastings Public School District are integrated into the community rather than set apart, and Kennedy is one of three elementary buildings. The district recently had a operating levy referendum on the ballot, so families should be aware that funding and property tax questions have been in the local conversation, though the outcome was not available from the sources reviewed.
Academically, Kennedy Elementary stands out among its peers. On the state’s Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments for the 2024-25 school year, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it in the top quartile relative to other districts in Dakota County. That is a strong signal for a primary school. In math, the share of students meeting standards was above the midpoint of the county’s districts; in reading, the rate was also better than many nearby elementary schools. A parent reviewing these results would see a school where the majority of students are on track in math, and where reading proficiency, while lower than math, still compares favorably to the county median. The data covers only third and fourth graders, the grades tested in Minnesota for this school, and no multi-year trend is available because only one year of current assessment data is reported. Science results on file are from more than a decade ago and are not useful for understanding today’s program.
The student body is mostly white, with a notable share of students who identify as Hispanic and a smaller share who identify with two or more races. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating a moderate level of economic diversity. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the sources provided, a gap that families may want to explore directly with the school or district. Because Kennedy serves only kindergarten through fourth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and attendance and discipline data were not included.
Housing in the area around the school is moderately priced relative to the Twin Cities metro. The typical home value is somewhat above the statewide median, and rents are in line with what a household earning the national median income might afford. Hastings itself is a car-dependent city, with no fixed-route public transit. The historic downtown has a walkable core with retail, dining, and the Vermillion Falls park, but daily errands for most families will require driving. The city’s population has stabilized in recent years, and while the old river town character is preserved, new development has not been rapid.
For a parent choosing an elementary school, Kennedy offers a solid academic foundation with proficiency rates that exceed the average across Dakota County, particularly in math. The school is a regular public school—not a magnet or charter—and its grade span means children transition to a new building after fourth grade, likely Hastings Middle School. Families who value a school that performs well on state assessments, within a community that blends suburban convenience with a historic downtown and riverfront amenities, would find Kennedy a fitting option. Those who want to understand special education supports or English learner services should follow up, as those details were not present in the data reviewed.
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