J F Kennedy Middle School

Summary:

J.F. Kennedy Middle School is a high-performing public middle school in Natick, Massachusetts, serving 884 students in grades 5-8. The school consistently ranks among the top middle schools in the state, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger and ranking 44th out of 493 schools in the 2023-2024 school year.

J.F. Kennedy Middle School's academic performance is significantly higher than the state averages across all grades and subjects on the MCAS Next Generation assessments. The school also stands out for its strong support of special education and low socioeconomic status students, ranking 79th and 76th, respectively, out of over 400 Massachusetts middle schools in 2023-2024. Compared to nearby schools, such as those in the Framingham school district, J.F. Kennedy Middle School outperforms many of them, with performance comparable to or exceeding highly-ranked schools like Wellesley Middle and Wayland Middle School.

The school's strong academic outcomes may be attributed to its relatively high per-student spending of around $16,000 and a student-teacher ratio of 11.4. Additionally, J.F. Kennedy Middle School's racial diversity, with a higher percentage of Asian (11.54%) and Hispanic (7.92%) students compared to the surrounding area, is noteworthy. The school's commitment to providing a quality education for all students, regardless of their background, is reflected in its consistent high performance and 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.


Detail:

Public 5-8

 165 Mill Street
       Natick, MA  01760


(508) 647-6650

District: Natick

SchoolDigger Rank:
44th of 493 Massachusetts Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,962 Help


Students who attend J F Kennedy Middle School usually attend:

High:    Natick High

Feeder schools for J F Kennedy Middle School:

Elementary:    Brown
    Johnson
    Memorial

Student/teacher ratio:  11.4 Help
Number of students:  884

Racial breakdown:

White:
72.9%
Asian:
11.5%
Hispanic:
7.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  10.3% Help


 See top rated Massachusetts middle schools

 Compare J F Kennedy Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details J F Kennedy Middle School ranks better than 91.1% of middle schools in Massachusetts. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 91.51. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (72.9%), Asian (11.5%), Hispanic (7.9%). (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at J F Kennedy Middle School is 11.4. (See more...)
Help
Compare J F Kennedy Middle School employs 77.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at J F Kennedy Middle School is $15,962.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

J F Kennedy Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks J F Kennedy Middle School 44th of 493 Massachusetts public middle schools. (See J F Kennedy Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Natick:

SchoolDigger ranks Natick 49th of 351 Massachusetts school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for J F Kennedy Middle School?

Rank History for J F Kennedy Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 58.53 145th 339 57.2%
2004 75.57 89th 344 74.1%
2005 66.06 120th 356 66.3%
2006 76.38 91st 399 77.2%
2007 78.87 86th 399 78.4%
2008 82.42 74th 407 81.8%
2009 80.84 73rd 409 82.2%
2010 84.67 56th 434 87.1%
2011 86.28 39th 449 91.3%
2012 82.37 74th 455 83.7%
2013 84.64 52nd 455 88.6%
2014 82.08 72nd 455 84.2%
2015 84.13 54th 441 87.8%
2016 87.19 34th 482 92.9%
2017 82.61 70th 487 85.6%
2018 84.60 64th 484 86.8%
2019 84.93 71st 498 85.7%
2021 84.85 65th 501 87.0%
2022 91.56 44th 497 91.1%
2023 91.79 45th 501 91.0%
2024 91.51 44th 493 91.1%
See the entire list of Massachusetts Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 61.07 31st 92 66.3%
2022 73.90 27th 102 73.5%
2023 72.86 33rd 110 70.0%
2024 84.93 16th 98 83.7%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 42.37 73rd 180 59.4%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.40 129th 467 72.4%
2019 61.71 133rd 484 72.5%
2021 64.12 116th 489 76.3%
2022 73.56 73rd 503 85.5%
2023 87.20 30th 444 93.2%
2024 71.27 79th 441 82.1%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.95 61st 438 86.1%
2019 77.27 65th 452 85.6%
2021 69.25 100th 462 78.4%
2022 80.39 65th 489 86.7%
2023 80.39 58th 481 87.9%
2024 74.27 76th 469 83.8%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 81.17 78th 463 83.2%
2019 82.51 78th 478 83.7%
2021 83.23 66th 483 86.3%
2022 90.33 42nd 494 91.5%
2023 90.33 44th 489 91.0%
2024 90.65 41st 481 91.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.87 140th 417 66.4%
2019 66.44 104th 424 75.5%
2021 73.35 62nd 431 85.6%
2022 82.52 43rd 445 90.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 85.80 54th 466 88.4%
2019 85.00 65th 478 86.4%
2021 84.58 67th 485 86.2%
2022 90.49 41st 497 91.8%
2023 91.28 40th 489 91.8%
2024 90.71 42nd 483 91.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Tested In Person students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 84.07 67th 491 86.4%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Tested In Person Students!

Rank History for Tested Remotely students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 89.88 31st 339 90.9%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Tested Remotely Students!

Rank History for Asian students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 66.97 45th 119 62.2%
2019 57.51 67th 128 47.7%
2021 81.34 15th 123 87.8%
2022 76.73 33rd 135 75.6%
2023 70.56 47th 134 64.9%
2024 63.15 56th 120 53.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 70.63 66th 335 80.3%
2022 67.00 84th 368 77.2%
2023 78.73 50th 364 86.3%
2024 82.35 44th 378 88.4%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at J F Kennedy Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.07 72nd 395 81.8%
2019 80.06 65th 396 83.6%
2021 75.32 70th 401 82.5%
2022 86.46 44th 404 89.1%
2023 88.13 40th 403 90.1%
2024 86.30 45th 392 88.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

J F Kennedy Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 







Data source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.5)
50%

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50%

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by a citizen
Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Open Quote Huge Close Quote


by a citizen
Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Open Quote My cousin attends Kennedy, and he frequently vents to me about his seemingly incessant issues with racism and bullying at the school. On an almost weekly basis, he complains about one of his peers making some derogatory reference to his race or black people in general. Naturally, you would expect this to infuriate him, but it doesn't. Rather, he has grown resigned to the idea that no matter how often this is brought to the attention of the administration, nothing happens. There is neither a concerted effort at conflict resolution/remediation, nor are the offenders punished accordingly. I think black men everywhere who have been raised in predominantly white communities will have experienced how toxic and hostile an environment it can seem at times -- particularly those of us who were privileged enough to attend schools with relatively rigorous academic programs. It is especially disappointing because here you have a talented young mind who is capable of doing GREAT things, but day after day of relentless harassment will teach him not only to hate going to school, but can possibly even teach him to hate white people, or society in general. Kennedy Middle School fails to realize their role as educators of the mind, body and spirit of their students. Their negligence has resulted in numerous physical altercations, but more pressingly, threatens to result in an overtly hostile, aggressive, and intolerant community. Close Quote



Enrollment information for J F Kennedy Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 387 39 13 5 0 n/a n/a 0 444
1989 385 34 9 11 0 n/a n/a 0 439
1990 337 29 15 9 0 n/a n/a 0 390
1991 472 31 13 14 0 n/a n/a 0 530
1992 452 37 18 17 0 n/a n/a 0 524
1993 480 21 16 18 0 n/a n/a 0 535
1994 501 23 12 17 0 n/a n/a 0 553
1995 545 16 23 10 0 n/a n/a 0 594
1996 545 16 23 10 0 n/a n/a 0 594
1997 539 32 24 10 0 n/a n/a 0 605
1998 558 28 34 13 0 n/a n/a 0 633
1999 596 26 32 15 0 n/a n/a 0 669
2000 634 24 22 10 0 n/a n/a 0 690
2001 633 21 30 21 0 n/a n/a 0 705
2002 619 30 39 13 4 n/a n/a 0 705
2003 619 30 39 13 4 n/a n/a 0 705
2004 530 21 33 7 2 n/a n/a 0 593
2005 474 19 37 10 2 n/a n/a 0 542
2006 467 10 40 20 0 n/a n/a 16 553
2007 428 11 28 18 0 n/a n/a 20 505
2008 446 10 31 18 0 n/a n/a 23 528
2009 449 11 38 22 0 1 23 0 544
2010 458 14 40 17 0 1 24 0 554
2011 464 14 45 13 0 1 23 0 560
2012 508 10 40 10 0 0 18 0 586
2013 555 10 43 15 0 1 13 0 637
2014 589 11 47 19 0 1 20 0 687
2015 563 10 46 20 0 0 21 0 660
2016 570 10 50 18 0 0 26 0 674
2017 524 12 63 21 1 0 28 0 649
2018 501 14 68 32 1 0 25 0 641
2019 537 10 84 45 0 0 25 0 701
2020 578 10 75 51 0 0 34 0 748
2021 596 8 94 53 0 0 44 0 795
2022 644 6 100 55 1 0 44 0 850
2023 644 10 102 70 3 0 53 2 884

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at J F Kennedy Middle School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 444 n/a n/a n/a
1989 439 n/a n/a n/a
1990 390 n/a n/a n/a
1991 530 n/a n/a n/a
1992 524 n/a n/a n/a
1993 535 n/a 0.0 n/a
1994 553 n/a n/a n/a
1995 594 n/a 0.0 n/a
1996 594 n/a 0.0 n/a
1997 605 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 633 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 669 n/a 0.0 0
2000 690 n/a 0.0 10.4
2001 705 n/a 0.0 8.1
2002 705 n/a n/a 8.4
2003 705 n/a n/a 8.4
2004 593 46.5 12.8 7.1
2005 542 47.0 11.5 6.8
2006 553 47.5 11.6 6.7
2007 505 46.0 11.0 7.4
2008 528 45.0 11.7 6.9
2009 544 47.0 11.6 8.6
2010 554 49.0 11.3 6.9
2011 560 47.0 11.9 6.8
2012 586 45.0 13.0 7.3
2013 637 46.1 13.8 6.9
2014 687 46.9 14.6 7.9
2015 660 49.0 13.4 10.3
2016 674 53.0 12.7 n/a
2017 649 51.0 12.7 n/a
2018 641 53.0 12.0 n/a
2019 701 57.2 12.2 n/a
2020 748 64.8 11.5 n/a
2021 795 67.0 11.8 n/a
2022 850 73.7 11.5 n/a
2023 884 77.1 11.4 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio J F Kennedy Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 444 n/a n/a n/a
1989 439 n/a n/a n/a
1990 390 n/a n/a n/a
1991 530 n/a n/a n/a
1992 524 n/a n/a n/a
1993 535 n/a 0.0 n/a
1994 553 n/a n/a n/a
1995 594 n/a 0.0 n/a
1996 594 n/a 0.0 n/a
1997 605 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 633 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 669 n/a 0.0 0
2000 690 n/a 0.0 10.4
2001 705 n/a 0.0 8.1
2002 705 n/a n/a 8.4
2003 705 n/a n/a 8.4
2004 593 46.5 12.8 7.1
2005 542 47.0 11.5 6.8
2006 553 47.5 11.6 6.7
2007 505 46.0 11.0 7.4
2008 528 45.0 11.7 6.9
2009 544 47.0 11.6 8.6
2010 554 49.0 11.3 6.9
2011 560 47.0 11.9 6.8
2012 586 45.0 13.0 7.3
2013 637 46.1 13.8 6.9
2014 687 46.9 14.6 7.9
2015 660 49.0 13.4 10.3
2016 674 53.0 12.7 n/a
2017 649 51.0 12.7 n/a
2018 641 53.0 12.0 n/a
2019 701 57.2 12.2 n/a
2020 748 64.8 11.5 n/a
2021 795 67.0 11.8 n/a
2022 850 73.7 11.5 n/a
2023 884 77.1 11.4 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for J F Kennedy Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $89 (0.6%) $15,387 (99.4%) $15,476
2020 $94 (0.6%) $15,397 (99.4%) $15,490
2021 $619 (3.9%) $15,342 (96.1%) $15,962

Data source: Massachusetts Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on J F Kennedy Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 71st of 498 Middle schoolsRanks 45th of 501 Middle schools
 5.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
5th Grade English Language Arts (J F Kennedy Middle School)5566.5
 11.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Natick)6065.2
 5.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5243.8
 8.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (J F Kennedy Middle School)5867.5
 9.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Natick)6267.8
 5.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)4940.9
 8.2%
5th Grade Science (J F Kennedy Middle School)5967.5
 8.5%
   5th Grade Science (Natick)6467.8
 3.8%
   5th Grade Science (Massachusetts)4841.6
 6.4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (J F Kennedy Middle School)7862.4
 15.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Natick)7462.6
 11.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5442.3
 11.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (J F Kennedy Middle School)7663.7
 12.3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Natick)7666.4
 9.6%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)5141
 10%
7th Grade English Language Arts (J F Kennedy Middle School)6574.8
 9.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Natick)6165.4
 4.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)4840.5
 7.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (J F Kennedy Middle School)7675.7
 0.3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Natick)7068.4
 1.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)4838.1
 9.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (J F Kennedy Middle School)7070
 0%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Natick)6766.6
 0.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5143.7
 7.3%
8th Grade Mathematics (J F Kennedy Middle School)6267.1
 5.1%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Natick)6063.2
 3.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)4737.7
 9.3%
8th Grade Science (J F Kennedy Middle School)5763.3
 6.3%
   8th Grade Science (Natick)5760
 3%
   8th Grade Science (Massachusetts)4640.9
 5.1%
All Grades English Language Arts (J F Kennedy Middle School)6668.3
 2.3%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Natick)6864.9
 3.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5242.3
 9.7%
All Grades Mathematics (J F Kennedy Middle School)6768.4
 1.3%
   All Grades Mathematics (Natick)6765.7
 1.3%
   All Grades Mathematics (Massachusetts)4940.6
 8.4%
All Grades Science (J F Kennedy Middle School)5865.2
 7.2%
   All Grades Science (Natick)6163.7
 2.7%
   All Grades Science (Massachusetts)4741.2
 5.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students701884
 26.1%
African American1010
American Indian03
Asian84102
 21.4%
Hispanic4570
 55.6%
Pacific Islander00
White537644
 19.9%
Two or More Races2553
 112%


Schools Near J F Kennedy Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about J F Kennedy Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 884 students attended J F Kennedy Middle School.

Students at J F Kennedy Middle School are 73% White, 12% Asian, 8% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 1% African American.

Students who attend J F Kennedy Middle School usually go on to attend Natick High

Yes. J F Kennedy Middle School ranks in the top 8.9% of Massachusetts middle schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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