Filed Under Schools

John F. Kennedy Elementary School

Kennedy Elementary School is a treasured institution within the Butte community, as it is the last elementary school left on the “hill.” The community support for this school is overwhelming and its student success is celebrated not only by the families it serves, but also by the “old-timers,” the few remaining icons left from a proud mining generation.

Kennedy Elementary was built in 1958 and was originally named “The Big Butte School.” Initially the school was to have sixteen classrooms, but ultimately eight were planned and constructed. In 1963 the school name was changed to the John F. Kennedy Elementary School. At the dedication ceremony, Senator Mike Mansfield presented to Principal “Oakie” O’Connor the flag that flew at half-mast over the White House during the funeral of President Kennedy.

Images

Kennedy School
Kennedy School Source: Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives

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Map

Metadata

Story of Butte, “John F. Kennedy Elementary School,” Story of Butte, accessed October 2, 2026, https://storyofbutte.org/items/show/3540.