John F. Kennedy High School

I am proud that my daughter is studying in this Great School, where she got Spanish AP 3.0 and now taking AP Biology and I met with Teachers they are so helpful and want to change the world. I wish every student a great success in life.
--Submitted by a parent

I transferred to Kennedy in my Sophomore year from Homestead High in Cupertino. I graduated in 2004, so it's been awhile and my review is only for my time at Kennedy. Students here don't seem to care much about their future. Although I still graduated with an above 3.0 average, I know I could have done much better. I had a 4.0 GPA before I transferred here. I'm not saying everything is the school's fault, of course a lot of it has to do with myself. Like many teenagers, I didn't know any better. I only cared enough to get grades better than my friends. At my old school, everyone was competitive, it would look bad if I didn't get a 4.0. Believe it or not, my previous high school was MUCH harder than Kennedy. Students here just don't care. It brings down the environment of other students. As for the teachers, I didn't have many that were very authoritative. Like some of the other reviews said, the students ran the class rooms. By the way, there's a location across the street from the school where students openly smoked weed. I hope they have taken care of that problem, but for the 3 years I was there, nothing was done & I'm sure the school knew about it. It was hard to miss.

I am a junior at Kennedy High School and have a 4.0 GPA. We accept every student for who they are. I highly disagree with any parent or student that thinks poorly of our school. The teachers here are very understanding and if we need help they're always willing to take their time to help us.
--Submitted by a student

You have to have been going to this school for a long time to think highly of it. I was the new kid and was by myself most the time at lunch and never talked to anyone in class because they seemed so snotty. The counselor that I had was really awkward. It just overall made me uncomfortable.
--Submitted by a student

I would like to see more involvement between the school/teachers and parents. I would also like to see the school doing more projects to help the community.

I transferred to this school for my sophomore year, and then I went back to my old school. I learned virtually nothing here; the teachers were scared of the kids, and the kids KNEW it. The teachers sat back and let the kids run the room. Sure, it was fun, but I'll pay for it later when I have to go to college!
--Submitted by a student

I hate this school, it seems that they have some sort of idea to jump or pick on or make the new student feel un-wanted. If you were to put your child in this school dont put them in the middle of the year.
--Submitted by a parent

It's not necessarily the teachers that are bad, it's the environment. You're surrounded by kids who generally don't care about their grades or about where they'll go after high school. And sports? We get last or next to last place in almost every single sport. I have friends in Walters, they do not want to play sports at Kennedy because most of our teams do not have winning records.
--Submitted by a student

I have to disagree with the parent that thinks Kennedy H S influenced in her son's thinking. I went to Kennedy in the 70's; graduated with 3.4 gpa. My sons graduated 1999,2000 also with a gpa above 3.0. Now my daughters are graduating this year with a gpa above 3.2 they all have been honors students, We all have participated in sports. Above all this. I just want to say that Kennedy is been a great school for my family and friends. Kennedy is a small school with a great diversity of choices that prepares you for College. You just have to get involved.
--Submitted by a parent

Speaking for the many students living in this attendance area who transferred to Irvington, I can definitely say that this isn't the place to be if you can help it. I left after my freshman year and am currently a sophomore at Irvington.
--Submitted by a student