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Kennedy Elementary

Summary:

Kennedy Elementary is a public elementary school located in Madison, Wisconsin, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 524 students. The school is part of the Madison Metropolitan School District, which is ranked 330 out of 428 school districts in Wisconsin and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Kennedy Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Wisconsin elementary schools, with a ranking between 715 and 983 out of over 1,000 schools over the past decade. The school has maintained a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of this period, with a brief period of a 2-star rating in 2018-2019 and 2017-2018. The school faces significant challenges, including high chronic absenteeism rates, low academic performance, and a high concentration of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. For example, in 2023-2024, only 21.33% of 3rd graders at Kennedy Elementary were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 45.27% in the district and 52.07% statewide.

While Kennedy Elementary's performance is generally lower than the nearby schools within the Madison Metropolitan School District, such as Dr. Virginia Henderson Elementary, Emerson Elementary, and Sandburg Elementary, the school performs better than Southside Elementary, which is also part of the Madison Metropolitan School District and has even lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism rates.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 221 Meadowlark Dr
       Madison, WI  53714-2699

(608) 204-3420

District: Madison Metropolitan School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
927th of 1,061 Wisconsin Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,952 Help


Students who attend Kennedy Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Whitehorse Middle
High:    LaFollette High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.2 Help
Number of students:  524

Racial breakdown:

White:
37.8%
African American:
29.2%
Hispanic:
13.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  51.9% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Kennedy Elementary ranks worse than 87.4% of elementary schools in Wisconsin. It also ranks 24th among 29 ranked elementary schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 13.75. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Kennedy Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (37.8%), African American (29.2%), Hispanic (13.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 51.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Kennedy Elementary is 14.2. 28 elementary schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Kennedy Elementary employs 36.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Kennedy Elementary is $13,952. 28 elementary schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Kennedy Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Kennedy Elementary 927th of 1061 Wisconsin public elementary schools. (See Kennedy Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
White students:


Madison Metropolitan School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Madison Metropolitan School District 330th of 428 Wisconsin school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Kennedy Elementary.

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Rank History for Kennedy Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 56.51 352nd 633 44.4%
2005 59.50 325th 632 48.6%
2006 60.85 352nd 712 50.6%
2007 65.93 278th 689 59.7%
2008 63.44 409th 1021 59.9%
2009 59.39 490th 1030 52.4%
2010 55.27 583rd 1045 44.2%
2011 54.87 584th 1046 44.2%
2012 48.51 713th 1045 31.8%
2013 37.48 786th 1053 25.4%
2014 47.53 653rd 1061 38.5%
2015 29.65 868th 1076 19.3%
2016 29.19 832nd 1075 22.6%
2017 28.10 847th 1071 20.9%
2018 45.99 630th 1025 38.5%
2019 39.33 715th 1037 31.1%
2021 26.99 821st 1050 21.8%
2022 29.35 825th 1067 22.7%
2023 23.92 871st 1067 18.4%
2024 13.75 927th 1061 12.6%
See the entire list of Wisconsin Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.76 48th 67 28.4%
2019 55.81 27th 76 64.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 66.39 65th 287 77.4%
2019 50.78 108th 275 60.7%
2022 42.66 133rd 248 46.4%
2023 26.93 211th 249 15.3%
2024 23.97 239th 269 11.2%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.42 335th 721 53.5%
2019 42.74 390th 742 47.4%
2021 39.47 446th 746 40.2%
2022 51.26 311th 748 58.4%
2023 35.81 500th 770 35.1%
2024 18.84 693rd 790 12.3%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.11 691st 854 19.1%
2019 22.11 772nd 874 11.7%
2021 10.10 820th 847 3.2%
2022 13.15 807th 859 6.1%
2023 10.05 831st 871 4.6%
2024 3.69 857th 866 1.0%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.59 587th 997 41.1%
2019 36.60 716th 1002 28.5%
2021 28.97 778th 1004 22.5%
2022 28.01 793rd 1017 22.0%
2023 22.04 838th 1010 17.0%
2024 11.09 898th 1011 11.2%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.78 604th 997 39.4%
2019 45.11 618th 1002 38.3%
2021 28.25 785th 1003 21.7%
2022 34.67 734th 1017 27.8%
2023 30.51 770th 1011 23.8%
2024 19.68 856th 1012 15.4%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 28.36 85th 122 30.3%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 53.02 52nd 165 68.5%
2019 52.80 58th 161 64.0%
2021 50.23 52nd 141 63.1%
2022 31.60 87th 133 34.6%
2023 30.69 96th 138 30.4%
2024 29.65 98th 137 28.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.89 125th 271 53.9%
2019 56.48 94th 266 64.7%
2021 12.03 274th 274 0.0%
2022 29.49 213th 296 28.0%
2023 33.93 197th 290 32.1%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Kennedy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.68 253rd 686 63.1%
2019 45.80 412th 718 42.6%
2021 36.90 484th 699 30.8%
2022 60.02 268th 704 61.9%
2023 41.82 453rd 715 36.6%
2024 30.59 553rd 727 23.9%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 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.

Kennedy Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1.3)
0%

0%

0%

33%

67%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, March 17, 2016

Open Quote The school is doing it's best to handle the large population at this school. Kennedy School is currently the third largest elementary school in Madison trailing only Cesar Chavez and Leopold. Even so it is one of the least community supported schools in Madison. Parent and volunteer involvement is minimal. The PTA/PTO is all of 6 people this year. From the test scores listed here it is a struggling school. The building is outdated and not handicap accessible at this time. Parking and student pick-up and drop-off is congested. Next year's new addition will help but will also add an additional 4 classrooms that could easily make it larger still. Also, at this time Kennedy does not have a 4K program due to lack of space. Future parents will need to look into area churches or daycare pre-kindergarten programs or bus their children to Frank Allis school (preferred by district). Alternative schools in the area are Elvehjem Elementary, Frank Allis Elementary, St. Dennis Catholic School, Holy Cross Lutheran School and Abundant Life Christian School. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, September 4, 2014

Open Quote This school needs major help. KENNEDY SCHOOL IS CURRENTLY FAILING OUR CHILDREN!!!! Look at what has happened to Kennedy School over the past four years. Reading proficiency scores have dropped from 86% to a totally unacceptable 27% and Math proficiency scores have dropped from 79% to a dismal 50%. WHAT IS GOING ON? I am having trouble wrapping my head around these numbers, they seem to support gross negligence at every level. The State of Wisconsin should look at how other states have handled situations like this and fire everyone so Kennedy can be completely restructured. How can an over achieving school end up a pile of garbage in just four years?

The time for change is NOW!!! Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, March 18, 2013

Open Quote Kennedy use to be a great school. Due to changes in administration, the school has gone down hill a great deal. The curriculum changes every year. The staff changes every year due to personality conflicts with administration. Student behavior is out of control. The school is unwelcoming to parents. I am so sad at what has happened to one of the best schools in Madison. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Kennedy Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 511 7 8 3 3 n/a n/a 0 532
1989 589 9 7 4 4 n/a n/a 0 613
1990 588 10 4 3 3 n/a n/a 0 608
1991 600 14 5 7 4 n/a n/a 0 630
1992 583 15 5 9 2 n/a n/a 0 614
1993 603 17 5 12 2 n/a n/a 0 639
1994 581 18 9 10 1 n/a n/a 0 619
1995 527 30 14 9 1 n/a n/a 0 581
1996 527 30 14 9 1 n/a n/a 0 581
1997 497 35 8 5 0 n/a n/a 0 545
1998 451 40 5 6 1 n/a n/a 0 503
1999 432 34 8 7 2 n/a n/a 0 483
2000 404 40 13 7 3 n/a n/a 0 467
2001 379 48 10 5 2 n/a n/a 0 444
2002 369 51 15 12 1 n/a n/a 0 448
2003 369 51 15 12 1 n/a n/a 0 448
2004 373 63 16 16 2 n/a n/a 0 470
2005 379 68 16 23 0 n/a n/a 0 486
2006 390 60 19 23 0 n/a n/a 0 492
2007 403 65 27 25 0 n/a n/a 0 520
2008 415 72 28 24 1 n/a n/a 0 540
2009 409 78 25 33 1 n/a n/a 0 546
2010 420 96 27 31 1 n/a n/a 0 575
2011 413 62 22 40 0 0 49 0 586
2012 415 65 18 47 1 0 52 0 598
2013 374 72 20 56 1 0 62 0 585
2014 346 71 26 53 0 3 74 0 573
2015 325 68 27 57 0 3 66 0 546
2016 300 80 28 49 0 3 71 0 531
2017 268 84 25 61 0 2 60 0 500
2018 273 91 34 65 4 2 61 0 530
2019 259 92 34 66 2 2 55 0 510
2020 257 131 38 63 2 0 56 0 547
2021 224 137 37 57 0 1 54 0 510
2022 208 146 42 68 2 1 65 0 532
2023 198 153 41 69 2 0 61 0 524

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 Kennedy Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 532 26.9 19.7 15.4
1989 613 33.4 18.3 5.9
1990 608 33.9 17.9 5.1
1991 630 36.4 17.3 17.1
1992 614 35.3 17.3 16
1993 639 37.9 16.9 20.5
1994 619 36.0 17.2 20.4
1995 581 35.7 16.3 21.9
1996 581 35.7 16.3 21.9
1997 545 35.1 15.5 22.6
1998 503 33.7 14.9 21.9
1999 483 32.2 15.0 27.5
2000 467 30.4 15.4 28.5
2001 444 30.4 14.6 29.5
2002 448 29.7 15.1 11.2
2003 448 29.7 15.1 11.2
2004 470 31.3 15.0 18.7
2005 486 31.6 15.4 n/a
2006 492 31.0 15.9 n/a
2007 520 30.5 17.0 23.1
2008 540 32.2 16.8 23.5
2009 546 32.5 16.8 24
2010 575 32.1 17.9 25.9
2011 586 36.8 15.9 28.2
2012 598 34.8 17.1 32.6
2013 585 40.1 14.5 37.4
2014 573 40.5 14.1 41
2015 546 n/a n/a 38.8
2016 531 35.0 15.1 42.7
2017 500 35.2 14.2 43.8
2018 530 37.6 14.0 43.8
2019 510 38.2 13.3 45.1
2020 547 36.8 14.8 42.6
2021 510 35.5 14.3 50.4
2022 532 39.5 13.4 46.2
2023 524 36.9 14.2 51.9

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 Kennedy Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 532 26.9 19.7 15.4
1989 613 33.4 18.3 5.9
1990 608 33.9 17.9 5.1
1991 630 36.4 17.3 17.1
1992 614 35.3 17.3 16
1993 639 37.9 16.9 20.5
1994 619 36.0 17.2 20.4
1995 581 35.7 16.3 21.9
1996 581 35.7 16.3 21.9
1997 545 35.1 15.5 22.6
1998 503 33.7 14.9 21.9
1999 483 32.2 15.0 27.5
2000 467 30.4 15.4 28.5
2001 444 30.4 14.6 29.5
2002 448 29.7 15.1 11.2
2003 448 29.7 15.1 11.2
2004 470 31.3 15.0 18.7
2005 486 31.6 15.4 n/a
2006 492 31.0 15.9 n/a
2007 520 30.5 17.0 23.1
2008 540 32.2 16.8 23.5
2009 546 32.5 16.8 24
2010 575 32.1 17.9 25.9
2011 586 36.8 15.9 28.2
2012 598 34.8 17.1 32.6
2013 585 40.1 14.5 37.4
2014 573 40.5 14.1 41
2015 546 n/a n/a 38.8
2016 531 35.0 15.1 42.7
2017 500 35.2 14.2 43.8
2018 530 37.6 14.0 43.8
2019 510 38.2 13.3 45.1
2020 547 36.8 14.8 42.6
2021 510 35.5 14.3 50.4
2022 532 39.5 13.4 46.2
2023 524 36.9 14.2 51.9

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 Kennedy Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $481 (3.5%) $13,101 (96.5%) $13,583
2020 $407 (3.1%) $12,700 (96.9%) $13,107
2021 $444 (3.2%) $13,509 (96.8%) $13,952

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

Impact of COVID-19 on 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 715th of 1037 Elementary schoolsRanks 871st of 1067 Elementary schools
 12.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Kennedy Elementary)29.128.8
 0.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Madison Metropolitan School District)35.334.9
 0.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)39.537.9
 1.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Kennedy Elementary)6243.9
 18.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Madison Metropolitan School District)45.840.3
 5.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)50.548.8
 1.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Kennedy Elementary)27.925
 2.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Madison Metropolitan School District)41.944.9
 3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)43.945.8
 1.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Kennedy Elementary)50.627.4
 23.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Madison Metropolitan School District)45.942.2
 3.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)46.246.5
 0.2%
4th Grade Social Studies (Kennedy Elementary)36.735.6
 1.1%
   4th Grade Social Studies (Madison Metropolitan School District)50.156.6
 6.6%
   4th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)53.459.7
 6.4%
4th Grade Science (Kennedy Elementary)40.527.4
 13.1%
   4th Grade Science (Madison Metropolitan School District)48.250.5
 2.4%
   4th Grade Science (Wisconsin)53.952.1
 1.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Kennedy Elementary)36.425.8
 10.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Madison Metropolitan School District)38.538.2
 0.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)40.939.2
 1.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Kennedy Elementary)45.527
 18.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Madison Metropolitan School District)4541.5
 3.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)47.848.4
 0.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students510524
 2.7%
African American92153
 66.3%
American Indian22
Asian3441
 20.6%
Hispanic6669
 4.5%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White259198
 23.6%
Two or More Races5561
 10.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients45.1%51.9%
 6.8%

Schools Near Kennedy Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about Kennedy Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 524 students attended Kennedy Elementary.

Kennedy Elementary ranks in the bottom 12.6% of Wisconsin elementary schools.

Students who attend Kennedy Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Whitehorse Middle
High : LaFollette High

Students at Kennedy Elementary are 38% White, 29% African American, 13% Hispanic, 12% Two or more races, 8% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

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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