John F. Kennedy High School (Guam)


John F. Kennedy High School, formerly Tumon Senior-Junior High School, is a public secondary school located in the Tumon area of Tamuning in the United States Territory of Guam. It is a part of the Guam Department of Education.
The school, which opened in September 1959, serves Tamuning, Hagåtña, and portions of Dededo.

History

Early years

John F. Kennedy High School was opened in September 1959 as "Tumon Junior-Senior High School". The first graduating class was from the same school year and graduated in 1960. In November 1962, Typhoon Karen, a category 5 typhoon, devastated Guam, leaving the only other public high school, George Washington High School without a campus. Following Typhoon Karen, GWHS held double sessions at John F. Kennedy High School. During 1962, John F. Kennedy High School's chapter of the National Honor Society was chartered.
In 1964, Governor Manuel F.L. Guerrero signed Public Law 7-113, introduced by Senator J.U. Torres. This law renamed Tumon Junior-Senior High School "John F. Kennedy High School". Following enactment, the date of enactment was changed by Public Laws 7-124 and 7-125 to begin August 26, 1964. On August 26, 1965, Governor Guerrero signed Public Law 8-74, introduced by Senator George M. Bamba. This law appropriated $2,000 to design and erect a statue of President John F. Kennedy in front of John F. Kennedy High School.
John F. Kennedy High School's Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps started at the school in 1970. In 1976, the Guam Community College began offering vocational training courses in nursing, marketing, and electronics through JFKHS.

Temporary relocation

In June 2008 some of John F. Kennedy High School's buildings were declared unsafe, so for the school year 2008–2009, Kennedy students shared space with George Washington High School in double sessions. For the 2009–2010 school year, JFK moved into a facility in the Tiyan area of Barrigada. While other public high schools welcomed their students back on Tuesday, August 11, students at the interim John F. Kennedy high school at Tiyan were met with bad news after hearing that their school was delayed further after large amounts of the chlordane were found in the soil and in the air. The students were able to finally arrive to school on August 24 after the chlordane levels in the air were declared safe.

Accreditation

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is the accreditation authority for John F. Kennedy High School. The following is a brief summary of the accreditation history of JFKHS:
Accreditation yearAccreditation period granted
1986initial, 6 years accreditation
19936 years accreditation
1996mid-term visit, reaffirmed
19993 years accreditation
20023 years accreditation
20052 years accreditation
20071 year accreditation

Student body

During the 1999-2000 school year, the school had 2,400 students. 42% were Filipino, 37% were Chamorro, and the next largest groups Asians and other Pacific Islanders.

Notable alumni