I was in 7th grade music class. For my friends and I it meant a long weekend. We all knew the stories about his peccadillos and we didn’t think much of him anyway. Funny thing is that even with all of the instant information sources we have today, in 1963 we were better informed and more politically savvy than most of the kids today will ever be.
The worst side effect of the assassination was that LBJ took office; the real beginning of the downhill slide for the Republic.
A funny aside...
There was a comedy album around 1965, can't remember who, that mocked LBJ in the following way: (LBJ speaking),
My fellow Americans, I come here today, not as your President
Not as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force
But as a poor barefoot boy from Texas, who has become your King...