John F Kennedy Elementary

Summary:

John F Kennedy Elementary is a public elementary school in Penitas, Texas, serving 683 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the La Joya Independent School District, which is ranked 451 out of 968 school districts in the state.

John F Kennedy Elementary has shown strong academic performance, with its statewide ranking improving from 2,564 out of 4,578 Texas elementary schools in 2020-2021 to 1,093 out of 4,647 in 2022-2023, earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's performance on STAAR tests is generally higher than the district and state averages, particularly in reading, where 63% of 5th-grade students were proficient or better, compared to 60% for the district and 56% for the state. The school's performance for economically disadvantaged students is particularly impressive, with a ranking of 385 out of 4,521 Texas elementary schools in 2022-2023, earning a 5-star rating.

While John F Kennedy Elementary outperforms many nearby schools in the La Joya Independent School District, such as Guillermo Flores Elementary and Tabasco Elementary, the school could potentially improve in the performance of English Language Learners and students with special needs. Additionally, the school's performance on STAAR Science tests, while still above the district and state averages, could be an area of focus for improvement.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1801 N Diamond Ave
       Penitas, TX  78576


(956) 323-2330

District: La Joya Independent School District (Isd)

SchoolDigger Rank:
1773rd of 4,675 Texas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,930 Help


Students who attend John F Kennedy Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Cesar Chavez Middle
High:    Jimmy Carter Early College High School
    La Joya High School
    Thelma Rosa Salinas Stem Early College High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.6 Help
Number of students:  683

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
100.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  90.2% Help


 See top rated Texas elementary schools

 Compare John F Kennedy Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details John F Kennedy Elementary ranks better than 62.1% of elementary schools in Texas. It also ranks 9th among 22 ranked elementary schools in the La Joya Independent School District (Isd). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 56.4. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details John F Kennedy Elementary has the largest elementary school student body size in the La Joya Independent School District (Isd). Racial makeup is: Hispanic (100%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 90.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at John F Kennedy Elementary is 16.6. 20 elementary schools in the La Joya Independent School District (Isd) have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare John F Kennedy Elementary employs 40.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at John F Kennedy Elementary is $11,930, which is the 11th highest among 22 elementary schools in the La Joya Independent School District (Isd).
Schooldigger Rankings:

John F Kennedy Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

La Joya Independent School District (Isd):

SchoolDigger ranks La Joya Independent School District (Isd) 451st of 968 Texas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for John F Kennedy Elementary?

Rank History for John F Kennedy Elementary

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at John F Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 55.28 1738th 3465 49.8%
2005 53.83 1831st 3475 47.3%
2006 55.61 1748th 3476 49.7%
2007 58.11 1788th 3724 52.0%
2008 63.55 1444th 3768 61.7%
2009 57.95 1832nd 3884 52.8%
2010 65.18 1460th 3937 62.9%
2011 62.48 1671st 4095 59.2%
2012 52.72 2114th 4206 49.7%
2013 64.72 1457th 4221 65.5%
2014 66.51 1389th 4260 67.4%
2015 76.38 940th 4320 78.2%
2016 58.31 1872nd 4286 56.3%
2017 73.10 945th 4329 78.2%
2018 77.47 759th 4359 82.6%
2019 72.76 968th 4479 78.4%
2021 39.97 2564th 4578 44.0%
2022 55.85 1818th 4581 60.3%
2023 71.71 1093rd 4647 76.5%
2024 56.40 1773rd 4675 62.1%
See the entire list of Texas Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at John F Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 87.38 147th 3226 95.4%
2019 81.90 276th 3333 91.7%
2021 36.73 2261st 3446 34.4%
2022 44.81 1953rd 3487 44.0%
2023 60.05 1159th 3556 67.4%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at John F Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.55 975th 3558 72.6%
2019 25.65 3151st 3684 14.5%
2021 29.87 2813th 3799 26.0%
2022 40.28 2260th 3952 42.8%
2023 75.34 516th 4086 87.4%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at John F Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 85.81 247th 4264 94.2%
2019 79.10 432nd 4309 90.0%
2021 44.87 2394th 4451 46.2%
2022 67.16 1035th 4477 76.9%
2023 82.27 385th 4521 91.5%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at John F Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.03 744th 4306 82.7%
2019 74.27 827th 4348 81.0%
2021 42.63 2436th 4499 45.9%
2022 57.56 1692nd 4561 62.9%
2023 67.97 1181st 4588 74.3%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at John F Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.27 531st 3106 82.9%
2019 69.39 859th 3184 73.0%
2021 64.20 1226th 3006 59.2%
2022 53.89 1700th 2958 42.5%
2023 62.21 1329th 2980 55.4%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for At Risk students at John F Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.30 335th 4240 92.1%
2019 75.48 583rd 4295 86.4%
2021 38.96 2655th 4331 38.7%
2022 68.28 923rd 4461 79.3%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for At Risk Students!

Rank History for Male students at John F Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.23 845th 4319 80.4%
2019 68.85 1062nd 4357 75.6%
2021 37.13 2734th 4498 39.2%
2022 52.53 2028th 4563 55.6%
2023 72.18 1047th 4585 77.2%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at John F Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.15 386th 4168 90.7%
2019 78.52 511th 4188 87.8%
2021 47.43 2100th 4329 51.5%
2022 63.24 1267th 4376 71.0%
2023 78.24 593rd 4401 86.5%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: Texas Education Agency, 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.

John F Kennedy Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Texas Education Agency

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Sunday, January 15, 2012

Open Quote I EXTREMELY DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL TO ANY PARENT!!! FRONT DESK IS VERY RUDE, STAFF IS POOR EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF TEACHERS THAT HAVE HELPED MY SON PROGRESS!! SINCE HE'S 1st YEAR AT JFK WAS TERRIBLE!!!! HE'S TEACHER WHO WAS MY TEACHER AS WELL WHEN I WAS IN 3RD GRADE WAS HORRIBLE!!! YELLED AT THEM, SAID SHE WAS GONNA CALL THE COPS ON THEM, LET MY SON & OTHER STUDENTS THAT WERE NOT THAT ADVANCED PLAY THE WHOLE YEAR WITH OUT TEACHING THEM ANYTHING!!!ONLY SAT DOWN WITH THE STUDENTS THAT KNEW THE BASICS!!! THEREFORE MY SON HAS BEEN STRUGGLING EVER SINCE, HE'S SELF-ESTEEM IS DOWN, HE'S WORDS; "MOM, HOW COME I CANT READ OR WRITE JUST LIKE MY FRIENDS? THEY KNOW HOW TO DO EVERYTHING & FAST & I CANT!!" THAT JUST TEARS MY HEART APART EVERY SINGLE DAY I SEE HIM STRUGGLE, IT ONLY REMINDS ME THAT THIS SCHOOL IS NOT WORTH IT & THERFORE IVE DECIDED TO TRANSFER HIM!!! IVE HAD SO MANY MEETINGS WITH THE PRINCIPAL WITH THE FIRST ONE & THE ONE PRESENT, NONE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIX ANY PROBLEMS!!! THEY JUST PROMISE BUT NEVER GET NOTHING DONE!!! THE LAST INCIDENT MY SON WAS BEING BULLIED!!!!! ITS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENS, AND LIKE ALWAYS NO ONE IS NEVER AROUND TO SEE WHAT HAPPEND!!! SO MUCH MORE TO SAY, NOT ENOUGH SPACE TO WRITE!! I STRONGLY DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL!!!!! Close Quote



Enrollment information for John F Kennedy Elementary

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 18 3 0 751 0 n/a n/a 0 772
1990 8 1 0 713 0 n/a n/a 0 722
1991 10 1 2 599 0 n/a n/a 0 612
1992 7 1 2 806 0 n/a n/a 0 816
1993 9 1 1 837 0 n/a n/a 0 848
1994 7 1 2 858 0 n/a n/a 0 868
1995 11 0 0 768 0 n/a n/a 0 779
1996 11 0 0 768 0 n/a n/a 0 779
1997 9 0 0 785 0 n/a n/a 0 794
1998 4 0 0 524 0 n/a n/a 0 528
1999 3 0 0 556 0 n/a n/a 0 559
2000 3 0 0 580 0 n/a n/a 0 583
2001 0 0 0 627 0 n/a n/a 0 627
2002 0 0 0 683 0 n/a n/a 0 683
2003 0 0 0 683 0 n/a n/a 0 683
2004 3 0 0 805 0 n/a n/a 0 808
2005 3 0 0 884 0 n/a n/a 0 887
2006 0 0 0 809 0 n/a n/a 0 809
2007 0 0 0 840 0 n/a n/a 0 840
2008 2 0 0 632 0 n/a n/a 0 634
2009 3 0 0 802 0 n/a n/a 0 805
2010 1 0 0 837 0 n/a n/a 0 838
2011 0 0 0 777 0 0 1 0 778
2012 1 1 0 781 2 0 1 0 786
2013 0 1 0 791 0 0 0 0 792
2014 5 2 0 792 1 0 1 0 801
2015 8 2 0 807 1 0 2 0 820
2016 5 4 0 857 3 0 2 0 871
2017 1 2 0 814 0 0 0 0 817
2018 0 1 0 815 0 0 0 0 816
2019 0 1 1 822 0 0 0 0 824
2020 1 1 1 800 0 0 0 0 803
2021 0 1 1 785 0 0 0 0 787
2022 1 1 0 649 0 0 0 0 651
2023 0 0 0 683 0 0 0 0 683

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 John F Kennedy Elementary

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 772 n/a n/a n/a
1990 722 36.0 20.0 n/a
1991 612 36.1 16.9 n/a
1992 816 43.6 18.7 85.9
1993 848 46.0 18.4 78.3
1994 868 48.9 17.8 79.8
1995 779 46.9 16.6 77.7
1996 779 46.9 16.6 77.7
1997 794 48.5 16.4 85.3
1998 528 31.0 17.0 78.4
1999 559 32.8 17.0 73
2000 583 31.2 18.7 83.9
2001 627 38.1 16.5 86.1
2002 683 45.5 15.0 54.5
2003 683 45.5 15.0 54.5
2004 808 47.0 17.2 35.4
2005 887 50.9 17.4 25.6
2006 809 50.3 16.1 16.8
2007 840 49.4 17.0 9.6
2008 634 41.9 15.1 9.8
2009 805 49.0 16.4 5.5
2010 838 51.6 16.2 4.4
2011 778 48.8 15.9 3
2012 786 47.0 16.6 1.9
2013 792 48.0 16.5 80.2
2014 801 47.2 16.9 77.2
2015 820 51.0 16.0 78.2
2016 871 53.0 16.4 77.4
2017 817 49.3 16.5 76.5
2018 816 47.3 17.2 77.7
2019 824 48.3 17.0 76.3
2020 803 49.3 16.2 78.8
2021 787 50.5 15.5 81.6
2022 651 47.3 13.7 84.6
2023 683 40.9 16.6 90.2

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 John F Kennedy Elementary

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 772 n/a n/a n/a
1990 722 36.0 20.0 n/a
1991 612 36.1 16.9 n/a
1992 816 43.6 18.7 85.9
1993 848 46.0 18.4 78.3
1994 868 48.9 17.8 79.8
1995 779 46.9 16.6 77.7
1996 779 46.9 16.6 77.7
1997 794 48.5 16.4 85.3
1998 528 31.0 17.0 78.4
1999 559 32.8 17.0 73
2000 583 31.2 18.7 83.9
2001 627 38.1 16.5 86.1
2002 683 45.5 15.0 54.5
2003 683 45.5 15.0 54.5
2004 808 47.0 17.2 35.4
2005 887 50.9 17.4 25.6
2006 809 50.3 16.1 16.8
2007 840 49.4 17.0 9.6
2008 634 41.9 15.1 9.8
2009 805 49.0 16.4 5.5
2010 838 51.6 16.2 4.4
2011 778 48.8 15.9 3
2012 786 47.0 16.6 1.9
2013 792 48.0 16.5 80.2
2014 801 47.2 16.9 77.2
2015 820 51.0 16.0 78.2
2016 871 53.0 16.4 77.4
2017 817 49.3 16.5 76.5
2018 816 47.3 17.2 77.7
2019 824 48.3 17.0 76.3
2020 803 49.3 16.2 78.8
2021 787 50.5 15.5 81.6
2022 651 47.3 13.7 84.6
2023 683 40.9 16.6 90.2

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 John F Kennedy Elementary

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $671 (7.2%) $8,711 (92.8%) $9,382
2020 $1,177 (11.8%) $8,782 (88.2%) $9,959
2021 $974 (8.2%) $10,955 (91.8%) $11,930

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

Impact of COVID-19 on John F Kennedy Elementary

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 968th of 4479 Elementary schoolsRanks 1093rd of 4647 Elementary schools
 1.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Reading (John F Kennedy Elementary)4954
 5%
   3rd Grade Reading (La Joya Independent School District (Isd))4654
 8%
   3rd Grade Reading (Texas)4450
 6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (John F Kennedy Elementary)5262
 10%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (La Joya Independent School District (Isd))5043
 7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Texas)4843
 5%
3rd Grade Reading (John F Kennedy Elementary)4033
 7%
   3rd Grade Reading (La Joya Independent School District (Isd))4726
 21%
   3rd Grade Reading (Texas)3924
 15%
4th Grade Reading (John F Kennedy Elementary)4942
 7%
   4th Grade Reading (La Joya Independent School District (Isd))5149
 2%
   4th Grade Reading (Texas)4347
 4%
4th Grade Mathematics (John F Kennedy Elementary)5358
 5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (La Joya Independent School District (Isd))4647
 1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Texas)4647
 1%
4th Grade Reading (John F Kennedy Elementary)2580
 55%
   4th Grade Reading (La Joya Independent School District (Isd))3645
 9%
   4th Grade Reading (Texas)2931
 2%
5th Grade Reading (John F Kennedy Elementary)6263
 1%
   5th Grade Reading (La Joya Independent School District (Isd))4960
 11%
   5th Grade Reading (Texas)5156
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (John F Kennedy Elementary)7769
 8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (La Joya Independent School District (Isd))5650
 6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Texas)5650
 6%
5th Grade Science (John F Kennedy Elementary)6342
 21%
   5th Grade Science (La Joya Independent School District (Isd))4832
 16%
   5th Grade Science (Texas)4834
 14%
5th Grade Reading (John F Kennedy Elementary)670
 67%
   5th Grade Reading (La Joya Independent School District (Isd))5729
 28%
   5th Grade Reading (Texas)5333
 20%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students824683
 17.1%
African American10
 100%
American Indian00
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic822683
 16.9%
Pacific Islander00
White00
Two or More Races00
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients76.3%90.2%
 13.9%


Schools Near John F Kennedy Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about John F Kennedy Elementary

Students at John F Kennedy Elementary are 100% Hispanic.

In the 2022-23 school year, 683 students attended John F Kennedy Elementary.

John F Kennedy Elementary ranks 1773rd of 4675 Texas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


Rate John F Kennedy Elementary!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for John F Kennedy Elementary!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 143 milliseconds.