John F Kennedy Elementary School

We are in our third year at the Mendell and have had nothing but a positive experience! The members of the staff are thoughtful, friendly, and engaged and there is a strong parental community that really cares for the school. The teachers are excellent and Ms. Bott, the principal, really cares about her students. We are looking forward to our younger child hopefully starting K1 there in the Fall.

I was not happy when my son was assigned to this school since we live over 7 miles away and it takes him 45 minutes on the school bus. But we have realized that we WON the lottery! His teachers have been amazing. While he was on Ms.Hiatt's class she emailed constantly not matter what, I would receive a reply within 24 hours but usually the same day. The communication was amazing! I wish they expanded until 8th grade, its worth the trip!!

We are so happy at the Hernandez! It’s a great community and many of the teachers have been at the school for a long time and are still excited to be back every year. We have one child in pre-K and one in second and the bilingual education is wonderful. The principal is great and very accessible, and there’s lots of parent engagement.

Its truly a hidden gem in Boston. The school believes in developing a "whole child"- socially, physically as well as academically. With a considerably low teacher turnover, they seem very dedicated towards providing an enriching and fun-filled experience for kids from K0-1st grade. A big Thank You to the Principal ,teachers and staff for making it a memorable schooling experience for our twin girls in their early school years.

Some teachers are wonderful. It is NOT a school for high needs children although it says it is. Children do not receive the correct pull-outs for therapy according to their IEP's and the school is very hard to work with. I have had children on IEP's; this school outright lies through their director of SPED. They do not follow laws or regulations and my child is caught in the middle. His academics are well below average and they are telling me he's doing fine. No, he isn't. So if your child has any special needs, be forewarned.

My granddaughter has only been going there since September but I am so impressed with this school. There is a low student/teacher ratio, it is racially diverse, the teachers are well educated and promote an environment of healthy living and learning. Most important to me....they are king, available and my granddaughter loves the school and the chickens!