Skip to main content

Excellent

#1009 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 11% in state

Kensington Elementary

Elementary School · West Contra Costa Unified

90 Highland Blvd., Kensington, CA 94708

Enrollment

454

Student-Teacher

25.2:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,009 of 9,539

In district

#2 of 52

West Contra Costa Unified

Equity

9.6 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Kensington Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Kensington Elementary

8.4/10

Elementary School in Kensington · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Growing Light Montessori School of Kensington

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Golestan School

Nearby

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Kensington Elementary

Kensington Elementary is a public elementary school in Kensington, CA, part of West Contra Costa Unified. Kensington Elementary serves approximately 454 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 25.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Kensington Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,009 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Kensington Elementary show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares3.4 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 5.0
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Kensington Elementary runs 25.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+29.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+40 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,205
Chronic Absenteeism7.5%

Kensington Elementary — Students at Kensington Elementary score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

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 78.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 84.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
76%
ELA
84%
2015
Math
78%
ELA
86%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
86%
2017
Math
75%
ELA
83%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
86%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
86%
2022
Math
72.5%
ELA
78%
2024
Math
75.5%
ELA
83.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.

How Kensington Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.4/10
89th percentile in CA
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

90 Highland Blvd., Kensington, CA 94708

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kensington Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cornell Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Albany), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cragmont Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Berkeley), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby El Cerrito), with a very similar rating. 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 7.3
Harding Elementary El Cerrito 1.2 mi 7.9
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 7.5
Albany High Albany 1.4 mi 9.1
MacGregor High (Continuation) Albany 1.4 mi
Albany Middle Albany 1.4 mi 9.0
Cragmont Elementary Berkeley 1.5 mi 8.9
Invictus Academy of Richmond El Cerrito 1.3 mi 5.6
Madera Elementary El Cerrito 1.4 mi 7.5
Fairmont Elementary El Cerrito 1.5 mi 7.1
Marin Elementary Albany 1.9 mi 8.2
Fred T. Korematsu Middle El Cerrito 1.5 mi 7.9
TILDEN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Albany 1.9 mi 6.2
Tilden Preparatory School Albany 1.9 mi
Cornell Elementary Albany 1.9 mi 9.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ada Clegg Elementary Huntington Beach, CA 8.4
Anaheim Hills Elementary Anaheim, CA 8.4
Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego, CA 8.4
Bradley Elementary San Bernardino, CA 8.4
Braly Elementary Sunnyvale, CA 8.4
Buena Vista Elementary Carlsbad, CA 8.4

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 ranks #1,009 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Kensington Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Kensington Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Kensington Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kensington Elementary has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.5%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.