James Kennedy Elementary School, located at 9060 – 212th Street on 7.0 acres of land, was opened on March 23, 1988, by the Honourable Anthony Brummet (then Minister of Education). The first principal was Brian Ganske. The addition of a north wing was made to the school in 1992.
The school is named after James Kennedy who was the first teacher at the first school in Langley, located in Derby and opened in April 29,1867. James Kennedy was a respected architect and builder and was also involved in road contracting and ranching. In addition to his many involvements and contributions, he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly in BC.
James Kennedy Elementary School opened with thirteen standard classrooms, a gymnasium, library, special education room, and a multi purpose room (computers). Three portables were added in March, 1997, because of the increase of children in the Walnut Grove area. The school population by the year 2000 had built up to 593 students. The school’s catchment area, although already at maximum size, began taking students from the neighbouring catchment area to ease overcrowding in Gordon Greenwood Elementary School.
In 2004-5, James Kennedy Elementary will become a dual-track facility housing a French Immersion Program. Over the next several years it is anticipated that the school will house 375 students in the regular program and 225 in the French Immersion program. In 2004 the school’s population is 603.
The school logo is a Jaguar sitting atop the school. The mission statement of the school is “Success for All Through Learning and Caring.”
