John F. Kennedy Memorial High School (Burien, Washington)

Infobox Secondary school
name = John F. Kennedy Memorial High School
established = 1966
city = Burien
state = Washington
country = USA
campus = Suburban
type = Private Secondary
principal = Michael Prato
campus minister = Fr. Michael Batterberry, Judith McDonald, Jill Brouillard
grades = 9–12
enrollment= 900 (2007)
league = Seamount League
classification = AAA
mascot = Lancers
colors = Red, White, and Blue
website = [http://www.kennedyhs.org www.kennedyhs.org]

John F. Kennedy Memorial High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Burien, Washington. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle.

Profile

JFK was established in 1966. It is one of three Diocesan operated high schools in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle.

Mission Statement

As an archdiocesan high school our mission is to provide a quality Catholic education to all students. We are dedicated to foster their relationship with God, educating the whole person, and inspiring a lifelong commitment to learning and service.

Enrollment

900 students

Ethnic Diversity

Ethnically diverse student population 33%
* Black 50%
* Hispanic 4%
* Asian 18%
* Native American 1%
* Other 4%Classes
* Student/Teacher Ratio 17:1
* Average Class Size 22Religion
* Catholic 70%
* Non-Catholic 30%Faculty
* Certified Teachers 100%
* Advanced Degrees 47%Tuition
* $7,205 for members of Catholic families
* $7,810 for non-CatholicsAccreditation
* Washington State Department of Education
* Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
* Commission on International and Transregional AccreditationMemberships
* National Catholic Education Association
* National Association of Secondary School Principals
* National Association for College Admission Counseling
* Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling
* Washington Federation of Independent Schools
* Washington School Counselors Association

Core Beliefs
#Our Catholic School community fosters the faith development of young people by providing effective religious education, prayer and worship opportunities, retreats and service programs.
#Students best learn Christ-centered truths and values when the entire curriculum and life of the school models and promotes those truths and values.
#Students are creations of God who have unique needs, are worthy of dignity, and should be encouraged to meet their full potential.
#Positive relationships and mutual respect between students and staff enhance a student’s self-esteem.
#The experience of diverse beliefs, attitudes and cultures enriches a student’s life.
#Incorporating into the curriculum a variety of learning experiences to accommodate individual differences in learning styles makes student success more likely.
#Students need to be actively involved in seeking essential knowledge and skills, problem solving, critical thinking and producing quality work.
#A safe, physically comfortable environment enables students to become confident, self-directed, lifelong learners.

Academics

The Aquinas Honors Program

Students have the opportunity to earn up to 48 college credits as part of their studies at JFK. The Honors Program includes Religion, the Arts, English, World Languages, Math, Social Studies and Science. All these programs are coordinated through the Aquinas Honors Department at JFK.
* Kennedy provides college credit classes through four sources: the Seattle University’s Matteo Ricci College, the University of Washington, Seattle University, and the Advanced Placement Program.
* Kennedy offers college credit through the Ideas Class, Public Policy and Justice, German 103(German III), Spanish 103 (Spanish IV), Calculus 124, Chemistry 121 and 131 (Honors College Chemistry) and Engineering Graphics and Design 105. Advanced Placement (AP) exams are offered in English Language and Composition, English Literature and Language, United States History, French IV: French Language, and Latin: Vergil.

t. Christopher Academy

St. Christopher Academy is an affiliate private school that specializes in servicing Learning Disabled and academically at-risk students. The SCA and Kennedy programs are integrated to provide a full high school experience for students. SCA students take JFK classes as needed.
* Teachers Certified in Special Education
* Low Student/Teacher Ratio
* Speech Therapy
* Diagnostic/Academic Testing
* Direct Instruction
* Social/Study Skills
* Modified Classes in Algebra, Basic Math, Biology, Earth Science, English, Geometry, Life Skills, Practical Law, Spanish, Study Skills, U.S. History, and World History.
* After School Tutoring
* Student Tracking
* SAT Modified Testing

International Program

Provides an academic year for foreign students who wish to study in the United States. Students learn the language and culture of the US and have the opportunity to become participants in theschool and community. All international students attending Kennedy High School must reside in the dormitory or with a guardian or host family. No student, regardless of age, may reside alone.

Currently there are 85 students from 11 different countries attending Kennedy.

Ministries

KOOCS (Kids Offering Others Care and Support) - Cook breakfast and visit with the homeless two Saturdays per month.

St. Vincent de Paul Society - Coordinates the JFK Advent Food Drive and Lenten Rice Bowl collection, sponsors projects for the needy with other Catholic high schools, and supports the adopted Mission Church of La Guardia, Bolivia.

Way Back Inn - Provides shelter for the homeless and allows families to get back on their feet. This group works Saturdays renovating and building homes for the homeless in South Seattle.

Hunger Retreat - Students fast annually from solid food for 24 hours, get pledges for the meals missed, and donate the proceeds to eight South King County groups who help the hungry and homeless.

Human Relations Coordinators - Representatives from each class plan assemblies and programs to further understanding among the various cultures present at JFK. Senior leaders work with the Campus Ministry Office in conflict resolution when necessary.

Relay For Life- Established in the Fall of 2004, the Relay For Life team at Kennedy engages in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life in the spring of each school year. Typically participating at the Green Lake Relay For Life in Seattle, the team raises money for cancer research throughout the year, selling shirts, baked goods, and car washes. They then present the money to the society at the Relay, an overnight event that occurs annually. The team is typically led by upperclassmen and involves 20-40 members each year.

Athletics

Kennedy is part of the Seamount League within the WIAA's District 3 (West Central) and has won 14 State Titles and over 145 League Titles. The Kennedy Lancers football team haa produced several Division 1 Prospects in the last few years under coach Bob Bourgette. Chiefly University of Washington standout Nate Williams and incoming freshman Everette Thompson. Big Bob is the man, even though the Lancers lost in the 2006-2007 3A State Championship game against the Bellevue Wolverines.

Men's Sports
* Baseball
* Basketball
* Cross Country
* Football
* Golf
* Soccer
* Swimming
* Tennis
* Track
* WrestlingWomen's Sports
* Basketball
* Cross Country
* Fastpitch
* Golf
* Gymnastics
* Soccer
* Swimming
* Tennis
* Track
* Volleyball

Performing Arts

Choral
* Kennedy Singers (Women's Ensemble)
* Troubadors (Mixed Choir)
* Excalibur (Select Mixed Ensemble)

Drama

Instrumental
* Concert Band
* Jazz Ensemble
* Marching Band
* Symphonic Band

Activities

90% of our students participate in a variety of school-sponsored activities/athletics. Students at JFK have the opportunity to be involved in over 40 extracurricular activities.
* Amnesty International
* ASB - Student Government
* Camp Thunderbird
* Cheer Squad
* Color Guard
* Drill Team
* Girls’ Club
* Imago (Yearbook)
* International Club
* International Relations Team
* Junior Classics League
* KEY (Kiwanis Educates Youth)
* Knowledge Bowl
* Link Crew
* Math Team
* Pep Club
* Photography Club
* Profile (Newspaper)
* Quest (Literary Magazine)
* Science Club
* Scuba Club
* Snowboard Club
* Sound & Light Crew
* Sparrow Club
* Speech & Debate ClubIntramural Sports
* Basketball
* Ping Pong
* VolleyballHonors Societies
* French Honor Society
* German Honor Society
* Latin Honor Society
* National Honor Society
* Quill and Scroll Society
* Spanish Honor SocietyCampus Ministry
* Bolivian Parish Adoption
* Class Retreats
* Eucharist Ministers
* Human Relations
* Hunger Retreat
* KOOCS (Kids Offering Others Care & Support)
* SKY
* St. Vincent de Paul Society
* Student Liturgy Team
* Way Back Inn

Notable alumni

* Floyd Bannister (1973) was a professional baseball player. He was the 1976 MLB 1st-round draft pick by the Houston Astros. Elected to the 1982 All-Star Team and led the league in strikeouts that same year. Also played for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, and the California Angels.
* Michaela (Butler) Martens (1983) is a Mezzo-Soprano opera singer. The Boston Globe hails Michaela Martens for her “dense, color-saturated voice” and declares “She is a passionate and sympathetic vocal actress.” In the summer of 2007, Ms. Martens sang the Verdi "Requiem" in a return to the Spoleto Festival USA and in the 2007-08 season, returns to the Metropolitan Opera for Alisa in "Lucia di Lammermoor" as well as for the company’s productions of "Satyagraha" and Tan Dun’s "The First Emperor". In addition, she joins the roster of the Lyric Opera of Chicago for its production of "Die Frau ohne Schatten". In the 2006-07 season, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Contessa in "Andrea Chénier", the world premiere of "The First Emperor" as well as "Il Trittico" and "Jenufa".
* Mike Utley (1984) is a former Washington State University and NFL Detroit Lions offensive lineman who received the 2006 Walter Camp “Man of the Year” award. First-team All American and MVP of the Aloha Bowl in 1988 while at WSU. After suffering a career-ending spinal injury during a game in 1991, Utley became a symbol of courage with his own rehabilitation, but also for his commitment to help others with similar injuries. The Mike Utley Foundation, is dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries and providing the motivational and emotional support for individuals who have been disabled with such injuries.
* Jim Caviezel (1987) is an American film actor. His credits include: Déjà Vu (2006); Unknown (2006); Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004); The Passion of the Christ (2004); I Am David (2003); Highwaymen (2003); High Crimes (2002); The Count of Monte Cristo (2002); Angel Eyes (2001); Madison (2001); Pay It Forward (2000); Frequency (2000); The Thin Red Line (1998); G.I. Jane (1997); The Rock (1996); Ed (1996); Murder, She Wrote (1995); Wyatt Earp (1994); Diggstown (1992); The Wonder Years (1992); My Own Private Idaho (1991).
* Michelle French (1995) was a University of Portland soccer standout and U.S. National Team member. A two-time Parade High School All-America at Kennedy, she led the Lancers to state championships her freshman and senior years. In college she played in three Final Fours with the Pilots and was selected to the 1998 All-America team by the NSCAA, Soccer America and Soccer Buzz. French was a member of the Under-21 National Team from 1994-99. She captained the squad at the 1997, 1998 and 1999 Nordic Cup competitions which the U.S. won in 1997 and 1999. She participated in the 1999 FIFA World Cup. She received a silver medal as a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team and took part in the 2004 Olympic Team Residency camp. She joined the WUSA in 2001 as a member of the Washington Freedom. From 2002-03 she played for the San Jose CyberRays. French plays in the W-League with the Seattle Sounders and coaches soccer at the University of Washington.
* Nick Tollett (still attends) is one of the top young equestrians in the nation, and a great scholar.

Resources

* [http://www.kennedyhs.org www.kennedyhs.org]
* [http://www.kennedyhsalumni.org www.kennedyhsalumni.org]