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Average

#2122 of 2,846 schools in PA

Kensington HS

High School · Philadelphia City SD

2501 Coral St, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Enrollment

460

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,122 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#129 of 300

public schools

In district

#93 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Kensington HS

5.0/10

High School in Philadelphia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kensington Health Sciences

5.2/10

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

Brown Henry a Sch

6.2/10

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

About Kensington HS

Kensington HS is a public high school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Philadelphia City SD. Kensington HS serves approximately 460 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Kensington HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,122 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Kensington HS show 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Kensington HS sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

68% of students at Kensington HS were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2024
TrendImproving
Academics3.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.9% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-34.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34.1 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-14.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate57%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,897
Chronic Absenteeism67.8%

Kensington HS — Students at Kensington HS score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 7.4% (multi-year average, 2016-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 15.7% (multi-year average, 2016-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
2024
Math
7.7%
ELA
29.9%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Kensington HS Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
26th percentile in PA
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Sports
18
9 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
67.8%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics18sports offered
9 boys'·9 girls'·18 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

2501 Coral St, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kensington HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LIGUORI ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS (rated 6.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kensington Health Sciences (rated 5.2/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Kensington Health Sciences Philadelphia 0.1 mi 5.2
Brown Henry A Sch Philadelphia 0.2 mi 6.2
Hackett Horatio B Sch Philadelphia 0.2 mi 7.8
Sankofa Freedom Academy CS Philadelphia 0.2 mi 5.0
VISITATION SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.4 mi 5.9
Hunter William H Sch Philadelphia 0.4 mi 3.4
LIGUORI ACADEMY Philadelphia 0.4 mi 7.2
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 6.3
Sheppard Isaac Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.4
Penn Treaty Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.2
Adaire Alexander Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 8.3
Welsh John Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 2.3
Moffet John Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.3
Willard Frances E Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 2.3
Memphis Street Academy CS @ JP Jones Philadelphia 0.7 mi 5.1
Pan American Academy CS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 3.3
Elkin Lewis Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 3.3
John B Stetson MS Philadelphia 1.0 mi 1.5
McKinley William Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.3
DeBurgos Bilingual Magnet MS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19125 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,842

Median Home Value

$373,600

Median Rent

$1,743/mo

Population

25,331

College Educated

63.5%

Homeownership

60%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

34.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Juniata JSHS Mcalisterville, PA 5.0
Ferndale Area JSHS Johnstown, PA 5.0
Sayre William L MS Philadelphia, PA 5.0
Aliquippa JSHS Aliquippa, PA 5.1
Elk Lake JSHS Springville, PA 4.9
Keystone JSHS Knox, PA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kensington HS

What grades does Kensington HS serve?

Kensington HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Kensington HS?

Kensington HS has an enrollment of approximately 460 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kensington HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Kensington HS is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kensington HS rank in PA?

Kensington HS ranks #2,122 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Kensington HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Kensington HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kensington HS has 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).

Is Kensington HS a charter school?

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

Is Kensington HS a Title I school?

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

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

100.2% of students at Kensington 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
90 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
68 Good Transit
Bike Score
83 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
460
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
67.8%
4-Year Graduation
57.0%

District

Philadelphia City SD
District Enrollment
117,907
Schools in District
220
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,897
District Rank
#93 of 218

How we rate schools

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