John F. Kennedy School
A district-wide secondary special education school committed to helping every student develop the skills, confidence, and independence needed to reach their fullest potential.
Who We Serve
John F. Kennedy School provides specialized educational services for students ages 14 through 21. Our programs are designed around each student’s individual needs, talents, interests, and transition goals.
Our Approach to Learning
Our specialized curriculum emphasizes functional academics, activities of daily living, communication, social development, vocational preparation, and community-based instruction.
Student needs, talents, interests, and abilities guide the development of each Individualized Education Program (IEP). Our focus is helping students become active participants in their homes, communities, and workplaces.
Functional Academics
Academic instruction is connected to practical, real-world skills students can use throughout adulthood.
Activities of Daily Living
Students develop independent living skills through practical instruction, including learning experiences in simulated home and apartment environments.
Transition to Adulthood
Students prepare for life after high school through vocational exploration, job readiness, community experiences, and transition planning.
Career & Workplace Readiness
Job sampling centers expose students to a variety of vocational experiences matched to their functional abilities, interests, and potential employment opportunities.
Students also participate in authentic work experiences both within the school and at community-based work sites. These experiences help students develop workplace behavior, communication, independence, responsibility, and job-specific skills.
Our Transition Team
A dedicated Transition Team works collaboratively with students, families, businesses, and community agencies to help students prepare for successful adult lives.
Team members identify potential work sites, provide workplace social-skills instruction, support students at community-based job sites, coordinate with employers, and connect students and families with appropriate post-school agencies and opportunities.
Related & Therapeutic Services
Based on their Individualized Education Programs, students may receive specialized therapeutic and related services designed to support their educational, physical, sensory, communication, and developmental needs.
Speech Therapy
Supporting communication, language, and functional interaction skills.
Occupational & Physical Therapy
Supporting mobility, motor development, independence, and participation in daily activities.
Hydrotherapy
Students have access to on-site aquatic experiences through our school swimming pool.
Art Therapy
Providing opportunities for expression, creativity, communication, and engagement.
Music Therapy
Using music to encourage communication, engagement, movement, and social-emotional development.
Sensory Supports
Sensory-based experiences support student regulation, engagement, movement, and participation.
Autism Program
Within our autism program, students receive individualized instruction using evidence-based practices including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Natural Environment Teaching.
Students may also participate in sensory-motor integration experiences embedded within the classroom environment. These experiences may incorporate music, art, sound, movement, touch, and other sensory activities to support student participation, regulation, communication, and learning.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Student achievement and personal development are central to everything we do. Students have opportunities to participate in extended learning experiences that reinforce academic, social, recreational, and independent living skills.
Academic Support
Homework assistance, tutoring, technology skills, and individualized academic reinforcement.
Health & Wellness
Health education, nutritional guidance, physical activity, and opportunities that encourage healthy lifestyles.
Recreation
Students participate in recreational experiences such as swimming, skating, bowling, and other community activities.
Individualized Education
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) guides each student’s educational program. Instruction, supports, accommodations, modifications, and transition goals are developed around the individual learner.
Teachers continuously review student performance and progress data to guide instruction, develop meaningful educational goals, and adjust teaching strategies when necessary.
Our Mission
At John F. Kennedy School, our administration and staff are deeply committed to meeting the diverse needs of our learners. Every student brings unique talents, abilities, interests, and gifts. Our responsibility is to recognize those strengths and create opportunities for students to develop them.
Working alongside families, community organizations, and local employers, we provide students with meaningful transition experiences including job training, job coaching, community-based instruction, and opportunities that prepare them for employment and adult life.
Our goal is to equip students with the functional, social, vocational, and independent living skills necessary to safely navigate the home, school, workplace, and community.
Ultimately, we strive to prepare every learner to transition from school into adulthood with greater independence, confidence, purpose, and the ability to become an active and productive member of the community.
Preparing Students for Life Beyond School
Our specialized curriculum connects education with real life – building the academic, independent living, social, and employment skills students need as they transition into adulthood.
Caring. Committed. Courageous.