Mission: To provide educational opportunities that enable all students to achieve their highest potential

Vision: To deliver high-quality educational experience through a project-based learning (PBL) framework while implementing research-based best practices in a multi-tiered system of support preparing all learners for college, career and life.  

Overview: Kennedy Elementary is located at 2906 North 30th Street. The current building was built in 1910 and is named for the first educator to establish a public school system in Omaha. Kennedy Elementary was completely renovated under the provision of an extensive bond issue approved by voters. Kennedy Elementary currently serves children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Kennedy is proud to have the services of instructional leaders in STEAM, Early Learning, SEL, and Literacy, as well as classes for English as a Second Language, speech therapy, and special education. Kennedy Elementary also provides students with 1:1 devices to provide students a path to becoming a 21st Century innovator. Our focus is to attain our goals:

• To provide high-quality, standards-based instruction through research-based best practices in all early learning classrooms. 

• To implement high-quality, standards-based instruction through research-based best practices in all classrooms.

• To develop students who will learn to self-regulate and develop social-emotional skills so that they will be engaged learners in school. 

Howard Kennedy School before 1916 was known as Omaha View School. It was located on the west crest of the hill. It was a two-story frame building with four rooms and served students through the eighth grade. In 1916 the main structure of the present building was built and the name was changed to Howard Kennedy in memory of the first superintendent of the Omaha public school system.

In 1952 the school had 361 students. Three housing projects were completed and the school grew rapidly to nearly 1,000 students. Three portable buildings were added for temporary use. In grades one through three children attended on an extended day schedule until 1957 when the new addition was completed and occupied.

In 1976 as a result of the desegregation of the Omaha Public Schools the concept of Primary Grade Level Center was developed. Howard Kennedy was converted to a Primary Grade Center serving students from kindergarten through third grade. Many of our second-grade students came to us from the Washington, Harrison, Western Hills and Field Club areas. Many of our third graders traveled from the Belle Ryan and Dundee areas.

Beginning with the 1999-2000 school year, Howard Kennedy serves the district as an Elementary Grade School. Grades begin with Pre-Kindergarten and continue through Sixth Grade. Our students come primarily from our immediate neighborhood. The 2004-2005 enrollment of approximately 200 students.

In 2015, Kennedy joined forces with  75 North and Purpose Built Schools to revitalize the school and community. Kennedy transformed itself into a STEAM integrated school focusing on project-based learning framework. It worked to offer unique opportunities for students that previously had not been available. This rebranding brought new staff, more students and diversity in opportunities. 

In 2019, Kennedy Early Learning Center in partnership with the Nebraska Early Learnig Collaborative opened its doors next door to Kennedy. Kennedy's four pre-kindergarten classes would relocate to share this building with nine additional classrooms serving students from 6 month to 3 years of age. Kennedy now serves almost 300 students. 

For more history on Kennedy check out: Howard Kennedy: A Digital Archive