Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic Superintendent Dr. Kurt Nelson Mascot Celt | Established 1968 Phone +1 636-227-5900 Colors Green, Gold | |
Type Private, coeducational, Archdiocesan Motto "Community, Excellence, Compassion." Oversight Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis Address 500 Woods Mill Rd, Manchester, MO 63011, USA School district Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis | ||
John F. Kennedy Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Manchester, Missouri, United States. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.
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Background
John F. Kennedy Catholic High School (Kennedy Catholic) was established in 1968 and is named after President John F. Kennedy.
General information
Currently, John F. Kennedy High School has about 310 students.
It is the only co-educational, archdiocesan Catholic High School in West County, St. Louis, Missouri.
The school has an expanding technology program and all students receive laptops.
Kennedy Catholic offers a wide variety of extracurricular options, including many athletic teams and clubs.
Kennedy recently renovated its entire campus with its first capital campaign in 40 years, raising over $1 million. The newly remodeled building includes a new entrance, commons area, cafeteria, and offices, though it still has a lack of windows.
Kennedy Catholic High School is known for its open community, where all the students feel welcome. Because of its size, students who participate in sports have a larger advantage because nearly everyone is able to participate in the sport they choose. Also, because of Kennedy's small size, students are able to have more one-on-one time with teachers and also can receive extra help and tutoring.
There is also a legend that Kennedy is haunted, and it is on the Missouri Haunted List.
Kennedy is located off of M0-141, north of Manchester Road.
Extracurricular
Kennedy offers a wide variety of student clubs and activities. Boys' sports include football, soccer, swimming, cross country, baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, and track. Girls' sports include soccer, swimming, cross country, softball, basketball, tennis, golf, track, and volleyball.
Kennedy Catholic runs over 25 clubs for students, and a celebrated Theatre Program rounds out the Kennedy experience. A fall play and spring musical are produced annually. About 3/4 of the Kennedy students participate in both productions, either acting or helping with the show. The students help with publicity, lighting, building props, and sounds.
Parents' Association
The Parents' Association is the backbone of Kennedy Catholic's volunteer structure. Beside the annual Trivia Nights, Family Bingo, and Father-Daughter dances, Kennedy parents also volunteer their time to represent the school in the community. They provide the extra support needed for Open House, Back to School Nights, and the Freshman-Transfer Potluck Supper. Funds raised through Parents' Association activities provide scholarships to deserving students. Additional Kennedy projects are underwritten by parents each year.
Booster Club
The Booster Club provides additional income to the Kennedy athletic program, through the sale of the Celt Club Card and various fundraising activities. Traditionally, the Kennedy Dads are visible on Kennedy Pride Days, performing chores around the 23-acre (93,000 m2) campus and baking cookies for Open House.
Mothers' Club
The Mothers' Club meets twice monthly, serving the Kennedy community and one another through spiritual support. The Mothers' Club also helps organize and disseminate Kennedy class information. Every Kennedy mother is invited to attend Mass in the chapel each month and to participate in all-school liturgies throughout the year.
Advancement Office
Kennedy's Advancement Office is the liaison between the school and the parent organizations.
Due to the financial constraints of the current economic recession, Kennedy has instituted a tuition assistance initiative called "Celts Helping Celts." Fundraisers such as a Spaghetti Dinner, a Freshman Dance Party and a Mardi Gras T-shirt sale raise money that goes directly to families who need tuition assistance.
Notable alumni
Jay Marshall, an MLB relief pitcher for Oakland Athletics, the New York Mets, and the Chicago White Sox, graduated from John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in 2001. He played baseball through high school as well. He grew up in St. Louis, and has returned for several alumni events.
Lawyer John L. Mullen is a principal at the law firm of Franke, Schultz and Mullen, with offices in Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and Overland Park, Kansas. Mullen has been named to Super Lawyers from 2009 to 2015. He has also been named Best of the Bar on numerous occasions. He is a 1984 graduate of Kennedy High School.
Closing
In September 2016, the Archdiocese of St. Louis announced the school would be closing following the 2016-2017 school year due to declining enrollment.