The school is named in honor of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy (1917–1963).

The name was changed to the present one in 1965, to honor former President John F. Kennedy who was assassinated in the year of the school's founding.

Kennedy competes in the Chicago Public League (CPL) and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

The boys' baseball team won City Championship in 1969, and were Class AA and Public League Champions in 1977–78.

Kennedy boys' cross country were Class AA eight times (1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1992–93, and 1997–2001) and public league champions in 1997–98.