Average
#1139 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 40% in state
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS
High School · Philadelphia City SD
1901 N. Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#93 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#175 of 641
In district
#85 of 218
Philadelphia City SD
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School is a vibrant public high school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With an enrollment of 499 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1, the school offers personalized attention and support to its diverse student body. The school's focus on creative and performing arts provides unique opportunities for students to explore their talents beyond traditional academics.
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10, placing it in the 21st percentile among Pennsylvania schools. Academically, the school is currently ranked at #2247 out of 2852 schools statewide, with an academic score of 1.3 out of 10. In ELA/Reading, 28% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 5% meet proficiency standards.
The school is working to improve its academic performance and provide a strong educational foundation for all students. Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School is situated in the heart of a bustling city environment, offering students access to cultural events, museums, and a vibrant community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS — Students at Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
How Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS Compares
See how Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2021).
Location
1901 N. Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bodine William W HS (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LIGUORI ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, The U School: Innovative Lab (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Moffet John Sch Philadelphia | 0.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Adaire Alexander Sch Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Hackett Horatio B Sch Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Penn Treaty Sch Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Kensington Health Sciences Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| AL-AQSA ISLAMIC SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Kensington HS Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| McKinley William Sch Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Hunter William H Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Sankofa Freedom Academy CS Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Brown Henry A Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Welsh John Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| The U School: Innovative Lab Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Ludlow James R Sch Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Bodine William W HS Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| VISITATION SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| ST PETER THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| LIGUORI ACADEMY Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| DeBurgos Bilingual Magnet MS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Sheppard Isaac Sch Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,785
Median Home Value
$341,000
Median Rent
$1,294/mo
Population
24,740
College Educated
42%
Homeownership
35.4%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
32.1%
Median Age
28.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS has a median household income of $57,785. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $341,000, with a median rent of $1,294/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ACADEMY-NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR Villanova, PA | 6.8 |
| Blue Ridge HS New Milford, PA | 6.8 |
| Building 21 Allentown Allentown, PA | 6.8 |
| Fairview HS Fairview, PA | 6.8 |
| Glendale JSHS Flinton, PA | 6.8 |
| Harbor Creek Senior HS Harborcreek, PA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS
What grades does Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS serve?
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS?
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS rank in PA?
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS is ranked #1139 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Creative & Performing Arts HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS has 5.2% math proficiency and 27.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS a charter school?
No, Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS a Title I school?
No, Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS?
100.0% of students at Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,504/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Philadelphia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 499
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Phone
- (215) 400-7400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Philadelphia City SD- District Enrollment
- 117,907
- Schools in District
- 220
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,897
- District Rank
- #85 of 218
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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