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Very Good

#1917 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 20% in state

Kensington Elementary

Elementary School · West Contra Costa Unified

90 Highland Blvd., Kensington, CA 94708

Enrollment

454

Student-Teacher

25.2:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#1,344 of 5,817

In district

#9 of 52

West Contra Costa Unified

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Kensington Elementary

Kensington Elementary serves 454 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in the affluent hillside community of Kensington, California. With 18 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.2 to 1, providing a solid foundation for learning in this highly regarded elementary program. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking #775 among California's 9,566 elementary schools, placing it in the 92nd percentile statewide.

Students excel particularly in English Language Arts, with 83% achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels, while 75% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. This strong academic achievement reflects an academic score of 9.7 out of 10. Kensington Elementary draws from a highly educated community where 86% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $218,950.

The neighborhood's commitment to education is evident in the low poverty rate of just 5.7% among the 11,810 residents in the 94708 zip code area. Located at 90 Highland Boulevard, the school sits within Contra Costa County's large suburban setting, serving families in one of the Bay Area's most educationally focused communities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Kensington Elementary is 25.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.8%
Math vs. State Avg+29.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+40 pts
Overall Proficiency79%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,627

Kensington Elementary — Students at Kensington Elementary score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

10.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 75.2%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 83.8%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
74%
ELA
86%
2024
Math
75.5%
ELA
83.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Kensington Elementary Compares

See how Kensington Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
80th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

90 Highland Blvd., Kensington, CA 94708

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kensington Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Thousand Oaks Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Berkeley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cragmont Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Berkeley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby El Cerrito), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kensington, see our Kensington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
GROWING LIGHT MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF KENSINGTON Kensington 0.2 mi
Golestan School El Cerrito 0.9 mi
GOLESTAN SCHOOL El Cerrito 1.0 mi 5.7
El Cerrito High El Cerrito 1.0 mi 7.8
Harding Elementary El Cerrito 1.2 mi 6.3
PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL El Cerrito 1.1 mi 8.5
Prospect Sierra School El Cerrito 1.1 mi
Thousand Oaks Elementary Berkeley 1.5 mi 9.1
Albany High Albany 1.4 mi 9.0
MacGregor High (Continuation) Albany 1.4 mi
Albany Middle Albany 1.4 mi 8.1
Cragmont Elementary Berkeley 1.5 mi 9.1
Invictus Academy of Richmond El Cerrito 1.3 mi 6.5
Madera Elementary El Cerrito 1.4 mi 7.5
Fairmont Elementary El Cerrito 1.5 mi 8.2
Marin Elementary Albany 1.9 mi 6.5
Fred T. Korematsu Middle El Cerrito 1.5 mi 6.8
TILDEN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Albany 1.9 mi 6.2
Tilden Preparatory School Albany 1.9 mi
Cornell Elementary Albany 1.9 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94708 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$229,004

Median Home Value

$1,517,100

Median Rent

$2,926/mo

Population

11,967

College Educated

88.1%

Homeownership

83.6%

Avg Commute

35.3 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

49.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kensington Elementary has a median household income of $229,004. It is a well-educated community where 88% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,517,100, with a median rent of $2,926/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Adams Elementary Costa Mesa, CA 7.7
Aldama Elementary Los Angeles, CA 7.7
Alta Mesa Elementary Redding, CA 7.7
Anthony G. Bacich Elementary Kentfield, CA 7.7
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria, CA 7.7
Arlington Heights Elementary Los Angeles, CA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kensington Elementary

What grades does Kensington Elementary serve?

Kensington Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Kensington Elementary?

Kensington Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 454 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kensington Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Kensington Elementary is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kensington Elementary rank in CA?

Kensington Elementary is ranked #1917 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Kensington Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Kensington Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Kensington Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kensington Elementary has 75.2% math proficiency and 83.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kensington Elementary a charter school?

No, Kensington Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Kensington Elementary a Title I school?

No, Kensington Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kensington Elementary?

10.6% of students at Kensington Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,371/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kensington). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
10.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Contra Costa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Contra Costa Unified
District Enrollment
25,575
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,205
District Rank
#9 of 52

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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