[5][6] Notable alumni include American politicians, hip-hop legends, and professional sport stars.

John F. Kennedy Campus is located along the north–south border of the Bronx and Manhattan, the eastern half of the campus within Marble Hill, and the western half in Spuyten Duyvil, with the Hudson Line of the Metro-North Railroad and Spuyten Duyvil Creek to the south.

[3][4][7][9] Entrance to the building is via a pedestrian bridge at the fourth floor, leading east to Terrace View Avenue in Marble Hill.

A second bridge on the west side of the school to Spuyten Duyvil was originally planned, but never built.

[3][7][10] The other access point is at West 230th Street and Tibbett Avenue at the north end of the educational park,[3][7][11] leading to a first floor entrance.

[9] The roof of the school features solar panels, which provide five percent of the structure's electricity.

[11][19][20] In 1895, the Harlem River Ship Canal was dug between Marble Hill and the rest of Manhattan, and in 1914 the original creek routing was filled in.

[3][7][22][25][26] The high school and park were named after President John F. Kennedy, who had resided in nearby Riverdale during his youth.

[21] Beginning in September 1982, Kennedy High School hosted the Phoenix House academy to educate former drug addicts.

In late 2010, the Department of Education decided to shut John F. Kennedy by eliminating one grade per year until it graduated its last class in 2014.

According to the DOE, four-year graduation rate at Kennedy High School was 46%, as opposed to a 63% average for the city.

[43] From 1972 to 2011, The Knights won 38 city championships in a variety of sports and PSAL divisions over 40 years, according to officials of the school's athletic department.