Biddeford Schools - Est. 1848

As the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close, educators and staff at John F. Kennedy (JFK) School are packing up more than just books and supplies—they’re wrapping up decades of memories. The school, which has served generations of Biddeford’s youngest learners for 60 years, will officially close this month as part of a broader effort to improve early education opportunities and address aging infrastructure.

Beginning this fall, all Kindergarten students will attend Biddeford Primary School (BPS), while Pre-Kindergarten students will temporarily be housed at Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) until construction of a new wing at BPS is fully complete. The expansion project, launched in a September 2024 groundbreaking ceremony, is designed to bring PreK–2 students under one roof in a modern, developmentally supportive environment.

“I’ve spent my entire Biddeford career working at the John F. Kennedy school. Twenty years exactly, so this is kind of a sad moment,” said Bryan Litchfield, social worker and co-coordinator of JFK. ”This staff is a family,” he continued, “so it’s very meaningful for all of us to come together to say goodbye.”

"JFK is a place filled with cherished memories for both staff and students. We often share stories of growth, laughter, and happiness that bring our community together," said Meghan Schrader, JFK co-coordinator and BPS Interim Principal. "Although saying farewell is difficult, we are excited about what lies ahead for our students. The new space at BPS will allow for increased collaboration for teachers and create a community of Biddeford’s youngest learners.”

The closure of John F. Kennedy Memorial School is not only part of the district’s long-term vision to centralize early learning but also a necessary step due to the building’s deteriorating condition. An assessment done in 2022 determined that renovating JFK would cost significantly more than constructing new space. Instead, Biddeford taxpayers approved a $9 million construction bond to expand BPS—an investment estimated to save up to $16 million over the cost of renovating the aging JFK building.

“Closing JFK School is a significant milestone, not just emotionally but in terms of progress,” said Superintendent Jeremy Ray. “We’re incredibly grateful to the staff who have made JFK such a special place to Biddeford’s youngest learners. Their dedication will carry forward into our new learning environments, which are being designed to better support both students and families in the long term."

The new BPS addition will modernize facilities, expand classroom capacity, and improve access to specialized resources while also aligning with Biddeford Schools’ commitment to improving student outcomes by reducing school transitions and creating cohesive educational experiences. By centralizing early learning at BPS, the district will be able to offer stronger continuity of care and instruction during children’s most critical years of development.

Biddeford School Department plans to welcome both Pre-K and Kindergarten students to the completed Biddeford Primary School campus once construction is finalized in late 2025, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in Spring 2026. The future use of the JFK building will be decided by Biddeford’s City Council.