FACT SHEET:

John F. Kennedy High School (10X475)

December 2010

Fact Sheet: Proposed Phase-out and Replacement Scenario for John

F. Kennedy High School
Overview
 Based on an extensive review of data and community feedback, the New York City Department of Education (DOE) has
determined that John F. Kennedy High School (Kennedy) is unable to turn around and cannot provide a high-quality education
to its students. The DOE is proposing that Kennedy be phased out.
 Proposing to phase out a school is the most difficult decision we make. We are proposing this action because we think it’s
the right thing for current and future students in this community.
 The phase-out process would be gradual and happen over the next several years. Kennedy would complete phasing out in June
2014.
 The replacement process would also be gradual. The DOE is also planning to propose two new high schools to open in the
building where Kennedy is located to begin enrolling ninth grade students next September. The new schools would gradually
grow as Kennedy’s enrollment decreases.
 We hope you share our view that we can—and must—do better for students. The DOE will continue to work closely with
Kennedy staff and families to ensure that all students receive the support they need to succeed in school.

Summary
 In 2009-2010, the1 four-year graduation rate (including August graduates) at Kennedy was 46%, well below the citywide
average of 63%.
 Last year, Kennedy earned an overall D grade on its Progress Report, with an F grade on Student Performance, a D grade on
Student Progress, and a C grade on School Environment. The Progress Report results for Kennedy put the school in the bottom
8% of all high schools that received a 2009-2010 Progress Report.
 The New York State Education Department (SED) named Kennedy as one of the “Persistently Lowest Achieving” (PLA)
schools in the entire state in 2008-2009.
 Kennedy staff and families have worked hard to improve the school. The DOE also offered considerable support to Kennedy,
including extensive training for school leadership and teachers, working with the school to create Small Learning Communities,
and helping the school’s administration use its budget most effectively. Unfortunately, these efforts have not turned the school
around.
 During conversations with the Kennedy community, we heard concerns about an unfriendly relationship between staff
and students, struggling students not getting enough support from the school, and some teachers failing to challenge
students. The community also had some positive feedback about the school’s guidance counselors and extended-day
programs. However, we do not believe these positive components are enough to move the school in the right direction.

What would the proposal mean for current students?

If this proposal is approved, Kennedy would be phased out gradually over the next several years. Below are enrollment plans for
current Kennedy students, if the school is phased out.

 Current first-time ninth grade students would have the option of completing high school at Kennedy or may participate in
the high school admissions process and apply to attend a different school as a 10 th grader in September 2011.
 Current repeat ninth grade students would complete high school at Kennedy if they earn credits on schedule. As the school
becomes smaller, these students would receive more individualized attention through graduation to ensure they are receiving the

1
The graduation rate cited here represents the City’s calculation of the four-year graduation rate on the school’s 2009-2010 Progress Reports. It
is similar to the State method, and typically there is only modest deviation between our calculation and the State rate. Citywide four-year
graduation rates for the Class of 2010 are still being audited by the New York State Education Department and will likely not be available until
Spring 2011. The most recent available four-year graduation rate (including August graduates) for New York City was 63% for the Class of 2009
and the citywide Regents graduation rate for the same year was 46%.
NYC DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION • 52 CHAMBERS STREET • NEW YORK, NY 10007 •
WWW.NYC.GOV/SCHOOLS
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support they need to succeed. Students would also be encouraged to meet with their guidance counselor to review progress
toward graduation and consider applying to a transfer school.
 Current 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who are on track to graduate would complete high school at Kennedy if they
continue to earn credits on schedule. As the school becomes smaller, students would receive more individualized attention
through graduation to ensure they are receiving the support they need to succeed. Students would also be encouraged to meet
with their guidance counselor to discuss all of their options.
 Current 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who are not on track to graduate should meet with their guidance counselor to
discuss options. Students could complete high school at Kennedy or consider applying to a transfer high school.

If Kennedy is phased out, the school would no longer admit new ninth grade students after the end of this school year. Kennedy
would continue to serve students currently enrolled in the school until the school completes phasing out in June 2014.

Background
Kennedy Has Struggled for Years
 Last year, Kennedy’s four-year graduation rate (including August graduates) was 46%, well below the citywide average
of 63% According to the SED, graduation rates have remained around 40% for the past five years. In 2009, the school’s
graduation rate was 44%2.
 If Regents diplomas alone counted toward graduation—as will be the case next year—the 2009-2010 four-year
graduation rate at Kennedy would drop to 25%, well below the citywide average of 46%.
 Kennedy earned an overall D grade on its Progress Report last year, with an F grade on Student Performance, a D grade on
Student Progress, and a C grade on School Environment. The Progress Report score for Kennedy ranks in the bottom 8% of
high schools receiving a 2009-2010 Progress Report. Kennedy earned an overall C grade on its 2008-2009 Progress Report,
with a C grade on Student Performance, a C grade on Student Progress, and a D grade on School Environment.
 Last year, only 52% of first-year students at Kennedy earned at least 10 credits. Kennedy ranks in the bottom 3% of high
schools citywide and in the bottom 5% of high schools in the Bronx in first-year credit accumulation. Earning at least 10 credits
per year is a key predictor of future student success because students who fall behind often have trouble getting back on track to
graduate. In the same year, only 41% of students in their third year accumulated at least 10 credits.
 The school’s attendance rate continues to be very low. Last year, the attendance rate was 81%, below the citywide average
of 86% for high schools. In fact, this attendance rate places Kennedy in the bottom 17% of high schools for attendance.
In 2008-2009, the attendance rate was 81%, placing the school in the bottom 19% citywide.
 Kennedy was rated “Proficient” on its most recent Quality Review in 2009-2010. During Quality Reviews, experienced
educators spend several days visiting a school, observing classrooms, and talking to staff, students, and parents. Schools are
rated on a four-point scale, with “Well Developed” as the highest rating. “Proficient” is equivalent to a score of three out of
four.
 Safety issues have been a concern at Kennedy in recent years. On the 2009-2010 NYC School Survey, nearly a quarter—
24%—of students reported feeling unsafe in the hallways, bathrooms, and locker rooms. That same year, 18% of parents
expressed concerns about their children’s safety. In addition, 26% of teachers reported that discipline and order were not
maintained at the school.

Demand for the School is Low, Suggesting that Families Are Seeking Better Options3
Demand for Kennedy has fallen steadily over the past five years. Kennedy has one limited unscreened program to which students
may apply through the high school admissions process. Although the types of programs available to students at Kennedy have
changed in recent years, the number of students applying to Kennedy has fallen by 1,500 students since 2005.

2
The graduation rate cited here for 2009 represents the State’s calculation of the four-year graduation rate. In the case of Kennedy, there was a
significant discrepancy between the State and City graduation calucation, and their data from 2008-2009 is currently under investigation.
3
Audited enrollment data are not yet available for the current school year. Enrollment data are from the 2009-2010 school year, audited as of
October 31, 2009. Demand data reflect high school admissions applications submitted in early December 2009 for students beginning high
school in September 2010. This data captures the demand for John F. Kennedy prior to the DOE’s proposed phase-out of John F. Kennedy. As a
result, these enrollment and demand figures do not reflect the impact of that proposed phase-out announcement.
NYC DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 3

Despite Our Best Efforts, Performance at Kennedy Remains Low

We recognize that Kennedy staff members have worked hard to improve the school, but the school has not turned around. Over the
previous years, the DOE has offered numerous supports to Kennedy, including:

Leadership Support:
 Helping the principal develop Kennedy’s Comprehensive Education Plan and set school goals.
 Connecting administrators with other schools to learn effective practices that could be replicated at Kennedy.
 Offering extensive leadership coaching for the principal.
Instructional Support:
 Working with the school to create Small Learning Communities in an effort to increase personalization and meet the needs of all
students.
 Training for school leadership and teachers on developing curriculum and high-quality instructional practices that align with
new state standards.
 Working with the school to create teacher teams and develop common planning time.
 Helping teacher teams use to improve instruction for English language learners, special education students, and students
performing below grade level.

Operational Support:
 Helping the school budget its dollars in a way that best meets student needs; Kennedy receives additional state funds because of
its low performance and federal funds because of its student population.
 Coaching staff on budgeting, human resources, recruiting and retaining talented teachers, and compliance issues.
Student Support:
 Training for guidance counselors on how to use scholarship reports and graduation tracking systems.
 Working with school leadership to identify ways to reduce student suspensions.
 Helping the attendance teacher use home visits and other outreach strategies to improve student attendance.
We Know That We Can Do Better
Like most New York City public schools, Kennedy serves a high-need population: 22% of students require special education
services and 22% are English language learners. But other schools serving similar students have achieved far better results.
 At Harry Truman High School, a Bronx school, 25% of students require special education services and 9% of students are
English language learners. That school achieved a 64% four-year graduation rate in 2009-2010, with 55% of students earning
Regents diplomas.
 At Port Richmond High School, a Staten Island school, 20% of students require special education services and 6% of students
are English language learners. That school achieved a 65% four-year graduation rate in 2009-2010, with 48% of students
earning Regents diplomas.
 While all students are still not where we’d like them to be, these schools are getting far better results while serving a similar mix
of students to Kennedy.

Community Feedback
On October 12, 2010, Bronx High School Superintendent Elena Papaliberios held meetings with the School Leadership Team and
parents at the school to discuss what is working at Kennedy, what isn’t working, and how we can work together to better serve
students. Parents had positive feedback about the school’s guidance counseling team but also expressed various concerns. Parents
said:

 There is an unfriendly relationship between staff and students.

 Some teachers do not challenge students and instead allow them to “hang out” during class.
 Struggling students do not get adequate support from the school.

The School Leadership Team shared some similar concerns but also had positive feedback about the school’s extended day and
credit accumulation programs.
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Supporting Current and Future Students

We Remain Focused on Helping Kennedy Students Succeed
During the proposed phase-out, the DOE will build on our past efforts to help the school by:
 Providing teacher training around issues including curriculum planning, improving teaching practices, and tailoring instruction
to individual student needs.
 Fostering opportunities for teachers and administrators to connect with colleagues in other more successful schools, allowing
them to learn from one another, improve teaching, and better support students.
 Facilitating partnerships with community-based organizations to support youth development initiatives at the school.
Plans for New Schools for the Kennedy Community
As we work together to create better options for the Kennedy community, we will keep in mind what had worked at Kennedy and
do our best to incorporate those positive elements into replacement plans. For example:
 We will work with the community to retain partnerships with community based organizations that are offering valuable services
to the school community; and
 We will consider what elements of the school structure are working and do our best to include those features in a replacement
school, if Kennedy is phased out.

What You Can Expect

Within the next two weeks, you will receive a letter notifying you that the formal proposal to phase out Kennedy has been
published and that a joint public hearing to be held at the school has been scheduled. Replacement plans will be published in a
separate proposal. The joint public hearing will be held in January 2011 by the DOE, District 10 Community Education Council
and Kennedy’s School Leadership Team, among others. The Citywide Council for High Schools will be invited to participate in
the joint public hearing. During this hearing, community members, including parents and students, will be able to share their
thoughts on the phase-out proposal.

The proposal to phase out Kennedy will be voted on by the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), which is composed of members
appointed by Mayor Bloomberg and the five Borough Presidents, during a public meeting scheduled for the first week of February
2011. During this meeting, the public will have another opportunity to comment on the proposal. If the PEP approves the proposal,
Kennedy will not accept new ninth grade students next school year.

Sharing Your Concerns and Questions

The DOE is seeking your feedback on the proposal. We will record your comments and include them in our analysis of public
feedback, which is presented to the PEP prior to their vote on the proposal. Please submit any comments you have at:

Phone: 212-374-3466
E-mail: HS.Proposals@schools.nyc.gov

We also encourage you to visit the Website created to serve Kennedy at

http://schools.nyc.gov/community/planning/changes/bronx/Kennedy. We will update that Website regularly with important dates,
answers to frequently asked questions, and new information as it becomes available.