Steve Rustad
Principal

Welcome to Kennedy! My name is Steve Rustad and I have had the pleasure of being the principal of this great school since 2019. Kennedy is an amazing school filled with incredible students and staff. We are proud to be Cubs and show our Kennedy B.E.S.T. every day. 

Kennedy is a special place for me as it is my neighborhood school and the only elementary school that my three children have ever attended. This makes Kennedy feel like home. 

Kennedy has about 350 students. We celebrate the diversity of our students and see our school as a beautiful representation of our greater Mankato community. We know that each student brings unique gifts and talents with them every day. Our skilled staff strives to create classroom environments where the students can thrive. 

We believe in showing our Kennedy B.E.S.T. all the time. Kennedy B.E.S.T. stands for Be Safe, Engage, Show Empathy, Together We are Kennedy! We encourage students to demonstrate B.E.S.T. in all they do. 

Kennedy has been providing an amazing educational experience to the Mankato Hilltop community since 1966 and we are proud of the tradition of academic excellence that has been established here.  Our goal is to prepare our students for success at Kennedy while giving them tools to excel at Prairie Winds Middle School, East High School and beyond. 

If you are new to the Kennedy attendance area, please connect with me. I would love to welcome you and your family to our school community!

Be Safe - Engage - Show Empathy - Together We are Kennedy! Go Cubs!