01
Overview
| School type | Neighborhood |
| Community School | Yes |
| Address | 2521 Goodwin Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061 |
| Phone | (650) 482-2409 |
| School website | kennedy.rcsdk8.net |
| GreatSchools | 7/10 ↗ |
02
Academic Performance
Student Growth
English growth
50.2%
2025-26 mid-year · District-wide: 60.7%
Math growth
51.8%
2025-26 mid-year · District-wide: 56.4%
CA State Testing (2023-24)
English Proficiency
District avg: 42%
Math Proficiency
District avg: 35%
Growth measures how much students are learning each year, regardless of their starting point. A school with low proficiency but high growth is accelerating learning. Proficiency measures how many students are at or above grade level right now.
Growth = % of students meeting their annual i-Ready Expected Growth target on the mid-year diagnostic. i-Ready is the district’s local K–8 literacy and math assessment; the LCAP goal is to raise this by 4 percentage points each year. Proficiency = % meeting or exceeding grade-level standards on the CAASPP (the California state test, given in spring of grades 3–8).
Sources: 2024-25 SARCs, 2025-26 SPSAs, 2025-26 LCAP, each school’s 2025-26 Board of Trustees data presentation. Proficiency from 2023-24 CAASPP. Growth from each school’s 2025-26 mid-year i-Ready diagnostic as reported to the Board.
03
Student Demographics
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged
Mostly students who qualify for free or low-cost school lunch
English Learners
Students still learning English
Suspension Rate
District avg: 2.2%
Students with IEPs
District avg: 17.6%
Chronic Absenteeism by Subgroup
| Subgroup | Rate | Absent | Enrolled |
|---|
| All Students | 20.7% | 169 | 818 |
| Hispanic/Latino | 23.6% | 149 | 631 |
| White | 11.5% | 13 | 113 |
| Asian | 0% | 0 | 22 |
| Two or More Races | 3% | 1 | 33 |
| English Learners | 30.2% | 65 | 215 |
| Students with Disabilities | 25.9% | 43 | 166 |
| Socioeconomically Disadvantaged | 24.9% | 140 | 562 |
| Homeless | 29.5% | 23 | 78 |
Chronic absenteeism rate by student subgroup. A student is chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of school days — about 18 days a year. Groups too small to report (fewer than 10 students) are not shown, to protect privacy. Source: California Dept. of Education, 2024-25.
English Learners: A Closer Look
In 2024-25, 208 of this school's 808 students (26%) were English Learners — students who are still learning English. Another 230 used to be English Learners and are now fluent: they passed the state's English test and were "reclassified" (RFEP).
Learning English
208
26% of the school
Long-Term (LTEL)
80
6+ years as an English Learner
At Risk of LTEL
7
4-5 years as an English Learner
Now Fluent (RFEP)
230
Tested out of English Learner status
A "long-term English Learner" (LTEL) is a student who has been learning English for 6 or more years without yet reaching fluency; students at 4-5 years are counted as "at risk" of becoming long-term. Schools watch these numbers because the goal is for students to reach fluency well before the 6-year mark.
Source: California Dept. of Education English Learner data (ELAS/LTEL), 2024-25 school year.
04
Funding
Total Per Pupil
District: $19,914 + community: $363
Est. School Cost
Restricted: $8,175 · Unrestricted: $11,739
Avg Teacher Salary
District: $95,778
Per-pupil expenditure data from the 2022-23 SARC. Restricted funds include Title I, special ed, and EL programs. Unrestricted funds are general operating. PTO/PTA revenue from IRS Form 990 filings.
Site Supplemental (SPSA) 2025-26
SPSA Source Breakdown
Title I: $76K
District: $159K
PTO/PTA: $20K
Measure U: $192K
Prop 28: $117K
| Source |
Amount |
% of Total |
| Title I |
$76K |
13% |
| District |
$159K |
28% |
| PTO/PTA |
$20K |
4% |
| Measure U |
$192K |
34% |
| Prop 28 |
$117K |
21% |
| Total |
$563K |
100% |
This school receives Title I federal funding.
SPSA budgets represent supplemental site-level spending (enrichment, counseling, PD, materials). Base operating costs (teacher salaries, admin, facilities) come from the general fund and vary by school.
05
Who Teaches Here
John F. Kennedy Middle School has 42 teachers for 808 students — about 20 students per teacher. On average, its teachers have been teaching for 11.8 years, and 7 of the 42 are in their first or second year.
Students per Teacher
19.7:1
District avg: 21:1
Avg Years Teaching
11.8
10.3 years in RCSD
New Teachers
7 / 42
In their 1st or 2nd year of teaching
Students per Counselor
404:1
Counselors, psychologists, social workers & nurses
Source: California Dept. of Education staffing data, 2024-25 school year.
Credentials
Fully Credentialed
District avg: 75%
"Misassigned" means a teacher was placed in a class they are not credentialed for — most often classes with students learning English (EL). District target: 100% by 2027.
A stark gap inside the school on the state English test: 81% of White students meet grade level vs. 38% of Hispanic students and 4% of students learning English. More teachers have left here over the last 3 years than at any other school (20 departures). Largest teaching staff in the district (30 evaluated teachers).
Teacher Race & Ethnicity
| Race/Ethnicity | Teachers | % | Share |
|---|
| Hispanic/Latino | 10 | 23.8% | |
| White | 20 | 47.6% | |
| Asian | 5 | 11.9% | |
| African American | 2 | 4.8% | |
| Filipino | 4 | 9.5% | |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 2.4% | |
| Total | 42 | 100% | |
Counts classroom teachers only. Source: California Dept. of Education staff data, 2024-25 school year.
06
Documents & Resources
School Accountability Report Card (SARC)
A yearly report card the state requires from every school: test scores, class sizes, teacher credentials, and campus conditions in one PDF.
Download SARC (PDF) ↗
School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)
The school’s yearly plan for how it spends its extra (“supplemental”) money — tutoring, counselors, materials, and more.
Download SPSA (PDF) ↗
Bell Schedule
| Grade |
RegularMon · Tue · Wed · Fri |
Thursday |
| 6-8 |
8:30 AM – 3:15 PM |
1:50 PM |
School Site Council
Chair: Aravind Somanchi
SPSA adopted: May 7, 2025
Principal: Chandra Leonardo
Teacher: Jennifer Virnich, Endre Balogh
Staff: Shanna Laney, Cynthia Cardona, Katie Robles
Parent / Community: Christina Codemo, Steve Osborn, Jessica Bryski, Christina Codemo, Arvind Somanchi, Jim Smith, Irma Zoepf, Whitney Glockner-Black
View SPSA ↗
07
Board Meetings
Board of Trustees meetings with agenda items mentioning this school.
Approval of Additional Scope of Work for DG Path and Mow Curbs Change Order #4 for Kennedy Middle School #2 with Holt Renewables, LLC.
Approval of the Agreements for Special Inspection and Testing Services with Applied Materials and Engineering for the HVAC Upgrade projects Phase 2 at Clifford, Orion, and Kennedy Schools
Approval of the Agreements for Commissioning Services with Cypress Engineering Group for the HVAC Upgrade projects Phase 2 at Clifford, Orion, and Kennedy Schools
Approval of the Agreements for DSA Inspection Services with MWC Associates for the HVAC Upgrade projects Phase 2 at Clifford, Orion, and Kennedy
Approval of the Agreement for Atlas Pellizzari Electric for the amount of $70,520 to Install the PowerFlex Electric Vehicle Chargers at Adelante Selby, Clifford, and Kennedy Schools
Approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Amendment 1 to Facilities Lease with Blach Construction for the HVAC Upgrade projects, Phase 2 at Clifford School, Orion School, and Kennedy Middle School
Kennedy Middle School Presentation and School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) Approval
Approval of Kennedy’s Field Trip Request to the Grand Canyon from May 13th through 22nd, 2026
Adoption of Resolution No. 16, Lease-Leaseback Agreement with Blach Construction for HVAC Projects, Phase 2 at Clifford School, Orion School, and Kennedy Middle School
Approval of Overtime Allowance, Change Order #3 for Solar Phase 2 Project at Kennedy Middle School #2 with Holt Renewables
Approval of the Addendum to the Measure U Application for Kennedy Middle School for the 2025-2026 School Year
Approval of the Agreement for Atlas Pellizzari Electric for the amount of $70,520 to Install the PowerFlex Electric Vehicle Chargers at Adelante Selby, Clifford, and Kennedy Schools
Approval of the Pre-Construction Services Agreement with Siemens Building Management Systems for the Phase II HVAC Upgrades Projects at Kennedy MS, Orion, and Clifford
Approval of Contracts with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) for Design Services for HVAC Upgrades Projects at Kennedy Middle , Orion Alternative, and Clifford schools
Approval of Kennedy Middle School Field Trip to Yosemite – October 19 - 24, 2025
Approval of HVAC Upgrade Projects Phase II: Kennedy Middle School, Orion Alternative School, and Clifford School
Approval of Kennedy’s Field Trip Request to Italy, June 7, 2025, through June 16, 2025
School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA review)
Board updated Measure U spending plan.
Kennedy and McKinley School Presentations for 2023-2024 School Year
Approval of Addendum to 2023-24 Measure U Application for Kennedy Middle School
Approval of Proposal for Cabinets and Sink Replacement with Beals Martin for Kennedy Middle School
Approval of Proposal for STEAM Rover Tables with Campbell Keller for Kennedy Middle School
Presentations on School Plans for Student Achievement: McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT) and Kennedy Middle School
Addendum to 2022-23 Measure U Application for Kennedy Middle School
Approval of Proposal for Mobile Robotics Tables with Campbell Keller for Kennedy Middle School
Approval of Proposal for Panic Gates and Bike Rack Fence with Dryco for Kennedy Middle School
Approval of Project Inspector Agreement Amendment #12 with Inspectacon at Kennedy Middle School's Maker Space Project, Orion Alternative School (Formerly John Gill School), and McKinley Institute of Technology's Theater Projection Screen
Adoption of Futility Resolution 3, Approval of Maker Space Project Change Order #2 with Castillo Plumbing & Construction at Kennedy Middle School
Approval of New Garden Proposal at Kennedy Middle School with Scapes
Approval of Architect Additional Services Proposals for Garfield, Kennedy, and Taft Schools with HED
Approval of Maker Space Construction Agreement with Castillo Plumbing for Kennedy Middle School
Approval of Maker Space Window Replacement Proposal for Kennedy Middle School with Golden Bay Glass
Approval of Soil Off Haul Proposal for Kennedy Middle School with O'Grady
Approval of Maker's Space Furniture Proposal for Kennedy Middle School with Campbell Keller
Approval of Parking Lot Expansion Project Change Order #1 for Kennedy Middle School with O’Grady Paving
Approval of Maker's Space Design Proposal for Kennedy Middle School and Boiler Replacement Design Proposal for Garfield School with HED
Kennedy Middle School’s Advanced Band Performance, “The Mandalorian”
Approval of Parking Lot Expansion Construction Agreement for Kennedy Middle School with O'Grady Paving
Approval of Agreement for Additional Mental Health Therapist at Kennedy Middle School with Effective School Solutions (ESS) Program
Approval of the Proposal to Refresh the Track for Kennedy Middle School with Scapes
Approval of Parking Lot Expansion Architect Agreement for Kennedy Middle School with HED
Approval of Addendum to 2020-21 Measure U Application for Kennedy Middle School
Kennedy Middle School Art Show
Approval of Kennedy Middle School Modernization Project with Cal-Pacific Construction, Change Order #6
Approval of Kennedy Middle School Modernization Project with Cal-Pacific Construction, Change Order #5
Approval of Interim Housing Electrical Disconnect Proposal for Kennedy Middle School with Fusion Electric
Approval of Interim Housing Removal Asphalt Repair Proposals for Henry Ford School and Kennedy Middle School with Dryco
Approval of Touchless Plumbing Fixture Replacement Construction Agreement for Kennedy Middle School with Milestone Contractors
Approval of Kennedy Middle School Modernization Project Cal-Pacific Construction Change Order #4
Approval of Final Plan and Field Review Invoice for Kennedy Middle School Administration and Parking Lot Project with the Division of the State Architect (DSA)
Approval of Kennedy School Modernization Project Cal-Pacific Construction Change Order #3
Approval of Additional Covid-19 Safety Compliance Officer Proposal for 2950 Fair Oaks Site, Henry Ford School, and Kennedy Middle School with The Safety Guys
Approval of Covid-19 Safety Compliance Officer Proposal at 2950 Fair Oaks Site, Henry Ford School, and Kennedy School with The Safety Guys
Approval of Modernization Project, Change Order #2 at Kennedy Middle School with Cal-Pacific Construction
Approval of Administration Building and Parking Lot Project Change Order #8 with Beals Martin for Kennedy Middle School
Approval of Administration Building and Parking Lot Project Change Order #7 with Beals Martin for Kennedy Middle School
Approval of Modernization Project Change Order #1 with Cal-Pacific Construction for Kennedy Middle School
