John F. Kennedy  High School       6325 West 56th Street      Chicago, Illinois  60628    (773)535-2325
School Slogan: "Gateway To Success"	School Colors:   Royal Blue and Gold The School Emblem is the Crusader

The school should have a high status in the community.  Graduates should value advanced training, college or technical school, and be qualified to undertake this additional education.  Students will participate in extra-curricular activities to develop all aspects of their talents.

The mission of John F. Kennedy High School is to advance the academic and social skills of our multicultural students, developing productive citizens who are lifelong learners.

A growing student population, crowded schools, and community involvement led to plans for a new high school on  Chicago's southwest side.  Ground was broken for the new high school on October 3, l963.  Until the new school was built, the high school students were housed in every nook and cranny of the Kinzie Elementary School.  Thus, Kennedy High School was originally named John H. Kinzie High School.

Tuesday, November 16, 1965, was a memorable day in the history of our school.  On this day, the name of our school was officially changed from John H. Kinzie to John F. Kennedy High School.  The ceremony was highlighted by a phone call from the vice-president of the United States, Hubert Humphrey and included comments by Mayor Richard J. Daley and the Superintendent of Schools, Benjamin C. Willis.  The program was broadcast over closed-circuit television, thus allowing parents and friends to view the ceremony in the various classrooms.

In l965, Kennedy High School and St. Paul Catholic High School initiated a successful dual enrollment plan, the only plan of its kind in the state.  Students attended St. Paul part time taking English, social studies, and religion and came to Kennedy High School for all other subjects.  Because of declining enrollment, St. Paul closed its doors in l977 by order of the Chicago Archdiocese, thus ending the dual enrollment plan.

Kennedy's enrollment grew rapidly, approaching over 3,800 students in l972, which made it necessary to use classroom in Kinzie Elementary School and mobile units which were located where the parking lot now exists.  The school day consisted of twelve periods with students coming in four different shifts.

In the fall of l973, the overcrowded conditions of Kennedy High School were alleviated when another high school opened its doors.  Kennedy High School now operates with an approximate enrollment of 1,400 within the framework of a nine period day.

John F. Kennedy High School offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of most students.  The school has shown consistent improvements on state exams.  Kennedy High School offers a general academic and college preparatory program with additional concentrations in computer oriented technology and business.  The school projections for the 1999 - 2000 school year are to have three state of the art wired internet labs, six, wireless internet rooms, and six computer on wheels for class use.

The CPS Scholars program consists of the Advanced Honors Program which is designed to provide accelerated opportunities for freshmen and sophomore students leading to advanced Placement courses in junior and senior year.  To qualify for the program, students must meet the selection criteria.
 
 

• Partnership with Argonne National Laboratory
• CPS Scholars Program
• Advanced Placement and Honors Classes in English, History, Chemistry Mathematics and Art
• Awarded Technology Literacy Challenge Grant
• Reading Computer Lab
• Math Computer Lab
• Foreign Languages/ Spanish and Italian
• Computer Assisted Drafting
• Computers on Wheels
• Bilingual Programs/ Spanish and Polish
• Internet Computer Labs
• Advanced Cabinet Making
• Studio Art
• Band Classes
• Driver Education - Classes and range

There are numerous sports activities, clubs and organizations in which students may participate.
 

John F. Kennedy High school has been a part of the Garfield Ridge Clearing Community for more than thirty years.  Our administration, faculty, and staff are caring and concerned.  John F. Kennedy High School provides a clean, safe and secure environment.
 
 

                                Principal                    Dr. Fanchion L. Blumenberg
                                Assistant Principal      Dr. Patricia Wakefield
                                Assistant Principal      John M. Begy
                                Dean of Students        Mr. William J. Heyden
                                Athletic Director         Diane G. Williams
                                Admissions Dean        Paul L. Lyons        

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th President of our country, the first Roman Catholic and the youngest man ever so elected.  He was graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 1940.  As a Navy Lieutenant, he commanded a PT boat squadron during World War II.  For his heroism and leadership, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.  In 1946, he was elected to the US House of Representatives and reelected in 1948 and l950.  In l952, John F. Kennedy was elected to the U. S. Senate from Massachusetts. In 1955, while recuperating from a back operation, he wrote Profiles in Courage, which won the Pulitzer Prize in history.   He was inaugurated on January 20, 1961. His Inaugural Address offered the memorable injunction:  "Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country." During his two years and ten months in office, he emphasized America's youth through physical fitness and educational programs.  Among his accomplishments:  the space program, the Peace Corps, the Cuban missile crisis, Civil Rights, the Trade Expansion Act, and the Alliance for Progress.

On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas Texas.  He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery where an eternal flame burns in his honor.

John F. Kennedy High School is part of the Garfield Ridge Clearing Community.  Originally named "John H. Kinzie", the school was renamed, "John F. Kennedy" in l964, and officially dedicated on November 16, 1965.

In May, 1974, a bronze plaque, donated by 25 seniors, was placed in the main corridor.  The plaque bears the inscription from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address,  "The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans."  We like to feel that our young men and women represent the determined generation he hoped for.
 

For information  about President John F. Kennedy please be sure to visit the following sites:

National Archives and Records Administration:		http://www.nara.gov
The J.F.K. President's Library:		http://metalab.unc.edu/lia/president
J.F.K. quotes:		http://www.quoteland.com/quotes/author/269.html
JFK photographs:		http://www.historyplace.com
JFK:		http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/glimpse/presidents/