John F. Kennedy High School

This school is really great. Three of my children are currently attending this school now and has transferred from Cypress. The staff is very excellent with their academic level.
--Submitted by a parent

The current principal is great, our performing arts center is unmatched, and our pool is beautiful. Currently, the IB program is rapidly expanding, and the API score is steadily increasing. For the most part, the teachers are extremely helpful and AP scores can illustrate this. I am currently a senior in IB and sports, and can say proudly that I love going here.
--Submitted by a student

I now have my second child attending this school and I am very pleased with the access to teachers and administrators. My child was having difficulty in math and both the adminstration and math teacher have bent over backwards to get him the help he needs. Awesome and attentive staff.
--Submitted by a parent

My older son graduated last month and is going on to an Ivy League college. The Kennedy teaching staff were wonderful throughout his 4 years. The IB program that the school has to offer is a great way for seniors to get the attention of top tier colleges. Also, I applaud the teachers for quick email responses to issues and questions.
--Submitted by a parent

This school lacks discipline. The student in the school runs the show. The administrations buy whatever story the student sales. If I am a parent, I would NEVER let my children go to this school. This school will teach my children that they can do whatever they want, whenever they feel like without consequences. There are several occasions where I heard teacher being swore at by students, and the administration gave them only an hour detention. Kennedy is turning into one of the WORST school in Anaheim District.

I attended this school for 4 years. I am a recent graduate, Class of '09. Kennedy is a good school. However, I am not satisfied with the lack of discipline. During my senior year, the drug problem was way out of hand. Half of the freshman class deserved to be expelled for substance involvement. Yet they were still in class! It is an embarassment to let these hazardous students infect the otherwise great school that Kennedy is.
--Submitted by a student

This school pats itself on the back for being a great school, but they mostly benefit from being in an affluent area where students are already motivated. My personal experience has not been a good one, and this is with four years of experience as a Kennedy parent. If there's a problem, no one says a word - the computerized progress sheets, which arrive weeks late, are the only indication that parents are given that anything is wrong. I have had to proactively contact counselors and teachers about any problems or issues, and have had teachers whine about how busy they area. If people ran a business like this, people would be fired and the company would be out of business.
--Submitted by a parent

Well overall i am happy to be going to Kennedy. I have fun and enjoy the acitivities that are offered. We have a wide variety of electives and clubs. School Spirit is very high and our athletic teams are good. I really have enjoyed going to Kennedy and i know students that go to other schools who wish that they could come to kennedy. i hope my last two years are as good as my first two have been.
--Submitted by a student

I am a proud parent of 2 students currently attending Kennedy. I would first like to say that Kennedy is not an 'old' school and although funding has been a problem it is no worse than any typical school these days. The construction issue has been dragged out for too long but the responsibility there lies with the District and the contractor. This should not affect the schools rating. My kids are in band, choir and basketball and I could not be happier with these programs. With the completion of the new Performing Arts Auditorium these programs can only get better. There is adequate parent/family involvement and our academic scores are comparatively high in the state. The IB program compares to and even exceeds the programs offered at the districts star academic school (Oxford Academy). I highly recommend this school if you are lucky enough too live in this wonderful community.
--Submitted by Robert, a parent

My problem with the school is it is old and under funded. The staff does it's best, but the classrooms just aren't there. A quad was removed and so far the replacement rooms are portables. These rooms are not good for the students. My daughter is in her last year and her fourth year of construction. May a hard hat with a tassel is more appropriate than a tractional graduation cap? I still feel that under these situations the educational level is better than most. Parents participation is too low, but I believe this to be a universal problem? Overall I am a Kennedy fan.
--Submitted by Al Ezra, a parent