Our Cougar Pride
Welcome to Cougar Pride, the awards page of Kennedy Middle School, where we proudly showcase the numerous accolades earned by our students, teachers, and support staff.
Part of the Redwood City School District (RCSD), Kennedy Middle School is celebrated for creating a safe and supportive, inspirational and rigorous, joyful and inclusive environment for all learners, embodying our district mission in every achievement. This curated space features our latest honors, updated regularly to highlight the ongoing excellence within our community. We invite you to visit frequently to discover the latest recognitions that reflect RCSD's commitment to educational excellence and innovation.
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2023 Seal of Biliteracy School
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2020 Kent Award for Newcomer's Academy
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2020 PBIS Cares Award from the California PBIS Coalition
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2020 Awarded Most Dedicated Public School - San Francisco Bay Area by Corporate Vision Magazine's Education and Training Awards
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2018 Kent Award for Grand Canyon Field Trip
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Recipient of Chan Zuckerberg Technology Grant
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Middle-school strand of the Spanish dual language immersion that starts at Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School
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Middle-school strand of the Mandarin dual language immersion that starts at Orion Alternative School
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RCSD celebrates members of the Class of 2026 from Hoover and Kennedy school who earned the Biliteracy Attainment Recognition in Mandarin and Spanish. This achievement reflects students’ dedication to multilingual learning and supports RCSD’s commitment to preparing students to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.
![Orion Alternative and Kennedy students with city council members at the San Mateo County AAPI Heritage Month celebration]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783717012/rcsdk8net/xck0ciii3tv0csnbqwj9/OrionAlternativeandKennedyStudentsHonoredwith2026AsianPacificIslanderHeroesLegacyAward.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1783717012/rcsdk8net/xck0ciii3tv0csnbqwj9/OrionAlternativeandKennedyStudentsHonoredwith2026AsianPacificIslanderHeroesLegacyAward.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1783717012/rcsdk8net/xck0ciii3tv0csnbqwj9/OrionAlternativeandKennedyStudentsHonoredwith2026AsianPacificIslanderHeroesLegacyAward.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1783717012/rcsdk8net/xck0ciii3tv0csnbqwj9/OrionAlternativeandKennedyStudentsHonoredwith2026AsianPacificIslanderHeroesLegacyAward.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1783717012/rcsdk8net/xck0ciii3tv0csnbqwj9/OrionAlternativeandKennedyStudentsHonoredwith2026AsianPacificIslanderHeroesLegacyAward.png","width":1500}])
Students from Orion Alternative and Kennedy Middle were recognized with the 2026 San Mateo County API Heroes Legacy Award during the San Mateo County Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Dinner. Their performances celebrated AAPI Heritage Month while highlighting the power of student voice, cultural pride, and community connection.
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Redwood City School District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) has been recognized with a Kent Award and an Exemplary Program distinction for its whole-child approach to supporting students beyond the school day. Serving more than 2,200 students daily, the program provides academic support, enrichment, mentorship, and wellness opportunities designed to help students feel connected, supported, and engaged.
![RCSD Mandarin Immersion Students Participate in the Debate Competition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777856878/rcsdk8net/ck95ec7u2jlic9sgjfs4/VoicesinMandarinRCSDStudentsShineatStateSpeechCompetition.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777856878/rcsdk8net/ck95ec7u2jlic9sgjfs4/VoicesinMandarinRCSDStudentsShineatStateSpeechCompetition.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777856878/rcsdk8net/ck95ec7u2jlic9sgjfs4/VoicesinMandarinRCSDStudentsShineatStateSpeechCompetition.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777856878/rcsdk8net/ck95ec7u2jlic9sgjfs4/VoicesinMandarinRCSDStudentsShineatStateSpeechCompetition.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777856878/rcsdk8net/ck95ec7u2jlic9sgjfs4/VoicesinMandarinRCSDStudentsShineatStateSpeechCompetition.png","width":1500}])
Redwood City School District students earned top honors at the CLTAC Mandarin Chinese Speech Contest, demonstrating strong language proficiency, confidence, and cultural understanding. With 13 students recognized across elementary and middle school levels, these results highlight the strength of RCSD’s multilingual programs and students’ ability to apply their learning in real-world settings.
![School projects and solar construction]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777839134/rcsdk8net/cghuadixfx7mwhus99kc/DistrictDepartmentsandSchoolEnvironmentalProjectsSpotlightedforGoingGreen.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777839134/rcsdk8net/cghuadixfx7mwhus99kc/DistrictDepartmentsandSchoolEnvironmentalProjectsSpotlightedforGoingGreen.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777839134/rcsdk8net/cghuadixfx7mwhus99kc/DistrictDepartmentsandSchoolEnvironmentalProjectsSpotlightedforGoingGreen.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777839134/rcsdk8net/cghuadixfx7mwhus99kc/DistrictDepartmentsandSchoolEnvironmentalProjectsSpotlightedforGoingGreen.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777839134/rcsdk8net/cghuadixfx7mwhus99kc/DistrictDepartmentsandSchoolEnvironmentalProjectsSpotlightedforGoingGreen.png","width":1500}])
District students, teachers, and staff earned countywide recognition for efforts that “drive sustainable transformation across San Mateo County.”
![Kennedy Students Working on their Project]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774324937/rcsdk8net/geht7x2gmyhutgjd9rhv/KennedyandNorthStarStudentsShowcaseSTEMExcellenceDuringRegionalCompetition_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774324937/rcsdk8net/geht7x2gmyhutgjd9rhv/KennedyandNorthStarStudentsShowcaseSTEMExcellenceDuringRegionalCompetition_1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774324937/rcsdk8net/geht7x2gmyhutgjd9rhv/KennedyandNorthStarStudentsShowcaseSTEMExcellenceDuringRegionalCompetition_1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1774324937/rcsdk8net/geht7x2gmyhutgjd9rhv/KennedyandNorthStarStudentsShowcaseSTEMExcellenceDuringRegionalCompetition_1.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1774324937/rcsdk8net/geht7x2gmyhutgjd9rhv/KennedyandNorthStarStudentsShowcaseSTEMExcellenceDuringRegionalCompetition_1.png","width":1500}])
Kennedy Middle School and North Star Academy students had an impressive showing at the Bay Area Regional Science Olympiad this month at the College of San Mateo, highlighting Redwood City School District’s (RCSD) commitment to real-world application of student learning.