About Our School

About Us

As part of St. Cloud Area School District, Kennedy Community School serves families from St. Joseph. Kennedy provides a safe and caring climate and culture for all preschool through students in grade eight, their families and staff. Kennedy is home to the Spanish Immersion Program on the north and west sides of the district.

Kennedy students are prepared and engaged in core curriculum areas as well as classes in art, music, gym and orchestra, beginning in 6th grade. Through the technology initiative, 6-8 graders receive a personal learning device to enhance digital citizenship and learning. Kennedy also offers talent development and accelerated learning through grade 5, and Accelerated Math and Advanced Language Arts grades 6-8. In addition, Kennedy offers a wide range of extracurricular options, both in athletics and activities, including Knowledge Bowl, Drama and Robotics.

Kennedy inspires all students through hands-on learning opportunities in its gardens and prairies, and celebrates collaboration through its community partnerships, including the Sauk River Watershed District and College of St. Benedict.

History

Kennedy Community School History

Kennedy Community School History

Kennedy Elementary was established in 1968 in Saint Joseph. The building was unique in its granite exterior and round design. It was an open school, but walls were added in the mid 70’s. For many years, it housed approximately 250 students in various grade configurations from K-6 to K-4, then adding Pre, eventually becoming PreK-6. As the town of St. Joseph grew, so did the student population at Kennedy. By 2005, four portable classrooms had been added. By 2006, it became evident that the school could no longer house the 450 students.

Plans got underway to purchase land and get approval for a bond referendum. 72 acres were purchased about a mile outside of town, and work began to convince the voters of District 742 of the need for a school. The community strongly advocated for a green school and a school that could house and provide programs for grades 7 and 8. The advocacy paid off. The referendum passed in 2006, and plans were underway for the new Kennedy Community School. All students and staff were bused out to the site for the official groundbreaking ceremony in May of 2007.

The new school opened in the Fall of 2008. It was LEED-certified at the Gold level, meaning it met the standards of an outside agency for sustainability and energy efficiency. Numerous elements of the design and construction led to the rating. Daylighting, geothermal heating and cooling, and indoor air quality are just a few of the green elements. Solar panels and a wind turbine are on site to help teach students about alternative energy as well as to provide electricity.

In 2025, District 742 announced that beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Kennedy would become the new home of the Spanish Immersion Program representing the north and west side of the school district. Currently, Kennedy Community School is home to 750+ students in grades PreK-8.