# John F. Kennedy Catholic High School (Washington)

Kennedy Catholic High School previously known as John F. Kennedy Catholic High School is a private, day and boarding, college-prep, Catholic high school in Burien, Washington, located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle.

## Profile

Kennedy Catholic was established in 1966 and is one of three Archdiocesan high schools in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. Kennedy Catholic was originally known as John F. Kennedy Memorial High School, but changed its name with the beginning of the 2009/2010 academic year in order to reflect its Catholic roots.

## Academics
### The Program

When in school, students have the opportunity to earn up to 35 college credits, and are also able to be a part of the Honors Program which includes studies in religion, the Arts, English, world languages, math, social studies and science. All these programs are coordinated through the Aquinas Honors Department at Kennedy Catholic.
* Kennedy Catholic provides college credit classes through the Seattle University's Matteo Ricci College and the Advanced Placement Program.

### Saint Teresa of Calcutta Program

Saint Teresa of Calcutta students take mainstream 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 a diverse high school for foreign students who wish to study in the United States. All international students attending Kennedy High School must reside in the dormitories 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

* St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree during Advent.
* Serve over 16,000+ service hours per year in an around the community.
* Participate in yearly faith retreats.
* Raise money or collect items for needs in the community.
* Raise scholarship money for Kennedy Catholic's sister school in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

## Athletics

Kennedy Catholic is part of the North Puget Sound 4A League within the WIAA's District 3 (West Central) and has won 17 State Titles and over 267 League Titles. Lancer Nation has produced some NCAA Division I prospects in the last few years including Michelle French, Nate Williams, Everrette Thompson, Paul Arnold, Cole Madison and Sam Huard.

## Controversies

On February 13, 2020, two teachers were allegedly forced to resign after becoming engaged to same-sex partners, allegedly contradicting covenant agreements between the individuals and the school. While the religiously-affiliated school is exempt from Washington state workplace discrimination laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, students and community members argued that firing LGBT teachers contradicts the teachings of the Catholic Church. In response, students, parents, alumni, and members of the larger Catholic community have protested in support of the two teachers.

## Notable alumni

* Floyd Bannister (1973) – Major League Baseball player
* Lizanne Falsetto (1981) – business entrepreneur, wellness expert, model, and public speaker
* Mike Utley (1984) – former National Football League player
* Jim Caviezel (1987) – film actor
* J. Michael Diaz (1988) – US Assistant Attorney
* Michelle French (1995) – Olympic silver medalist in soccer (U.S. Team, year 2000)
* Mateo Messina – film and television score composer
* Paul Arnold (1999) – former National Football League player
* Joey Thomas (1999) – former National Football League player
* Cris Lewis (2006) - former National Women's Soccer League player for Portland Thorns FC, assistant women's soccer coach at the University of Oregon
* Everette Thompson (2008) – former National Football League player, played for the Arizona Cardinals
* Cole Madison (2013) – former National Football League player, played for the Green Bay Packers
* Sam Huard (2021) – former five star quarterback at the University of Washington and Cal Poly