Kennedy Primary Academy

I am thrilled with Kennedy. Since the curriculum is structured to challenge all children regardless of their aptitude level, he is in 2nd grade but is about to complete 3rd grade math utilizing the Everyday Math Program. He is also being challenged in reading and spelling. The teachers are fantastic, dynamic, loving individuals. School test scores are incredible as seen by the fact that the school received the coveted National Blue Ribbon award and is an Indiana 4-star school. Our only complaint is that the new principal seems to not be backing up the teachers when it comes to discipline. There is a handful of highly disruptive kids that when teachers send them to the office, little is done. I fear this inaction will erode teacher morale and the school will suffer. These kids also add stress to their classmates' experience as well. I hope Kennedy can maintain its high standards while breaking in the new principal.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Kennedy, a 3rd grader and Kindergartner. For my 3rd grader, this is her first year at the school. What a wonderful experience it has been. She is excited about school again and I can't believe the progess she has made this year. Same goes for my other child. She reading above grade level and is doing math story problems at age 5. The teachers and staff have been great and parents are encouraged to be envolved in the school. I am looking forward to the next few years at Kennedy.
--Submitted by a parent

Kennedy offers excellent, caring, hard-working teachers and a challenging curriculum. There is an emphasis on science, math and technology. I am amazed at the science experiences my children are receiving there in particular. I am a former private school teacher and this school tops the education offered at most private schools. Besides a rigorous academic curriculum, it also offers Art, Library, Gym, Music and Spanish classes for all ages. It was ranked the #1 elementary school in the state of Indiana three years in a row and is consistently ranked in the top ten. Kennedy is a four star school and a blue ribbon school. I am confused by some posts referring to a lack of recess/physical education. For the past three years, my children have had gym two times a week and recess everyday. As parents, we are beyond pleased with the education our children are receiving at Kennedy.
--Submitted by a parent

Older son had a great k-4 experience here - excellent teachers all 5 years, great academic programs and wonderful music/Spanish/art/gym specials.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has had two good years at Kennedy and two very frustration years there. Both years we struggled it was with new teachers. The first one was very non responsive and talked down to the kids. As I spoke to other parents this was a general consensus amongst the class. It required chasing down information constantly and creating a parent support system to successful get though the year. The second bad year was our last year there. The teacher was not clear on tasks, put my daughter in uncomfortable positions buy confronting her in front of her peers often and using inappropriate language to her. The principal on both occasions was not helpful in resolving any of the situations. This last year we were discouraged by the principal from continuing on with the current program and applying to LaSalle. At the last minute we did anyway and ended up getting
--Submitted by a parent

Teachers are great - hardworking, encourage the kid to excel and challenge them to exceed expectations. My daughter really enjoys getting up in the morning and going to school. I also like the fact that they begin teaching Spanish in kindergarten and have 'flex' classes within the child's repective grade levels so that kids progressing at different levels are somewhat separated so the teachers can focus on the levels they are teaching. They also encourage the kids to mentor younger students giving them leadership skills as well as peer recognition (being smart is good and normal.)
--Submitted by a parent

It is a great school. All of the teachers give 100% and the students are anxious to learn. The amount of parental involvement is amazing and is an important part of the education at Kennedy. This school is a regular four star award winner, a testament to everyone involved from the administrators, teachers, staff parents, students and the community.
--Submitted by a parent

Kennedy is by far the only acceptable South Bend Community primary school to send a child too. That said, Kennedy has a lot of problems. Kennedy does not allow a lot of time for exercise and recess, which I think it incredibly important for young kids, not only as a release so they are able to focus on the rest of the day's studies, but it also encourages childhood obesity. They also do not allow celebrations throughout the year. It's great that they are academically focused, but to what extent are you losing your childhood? It feels like they are preparing politically correct, overweight robots. We encourage a lot of active play at home, but I look at the student population, and it seems every year, more and more kids are getting chubbier! I think Kennedy needs to find balance, they are too extreme.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in Kindergarten and he knows how to read, write and do math at a first grade level. Its amazing.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in kindergarten at Kennedy school. Overall I feel very good about this school. Only what I feel is a few faults, but NO school will ever be perfect for ANY OF OUR CHILDREN. I don't like that my son eats LUNCH at 9:40 in the morning at all. Yes, us parents do send in snacks for the kids but normally the teacher does not give the snacks til its about time to leave, so that does not do much for our kids. I feel ALL kids should be pushed but there are limits, and sometimes I feel these limits are pushed way to far. I now my issues are not what you would say big issues, but just my conserns. I have other concerns but nothing that I could say is a major one. Overall, I am very happy my son is getting this chance.
--Submitted by a parent