There are some teachers with good reputations, some with bad and some new ones. Parents politic heavily to get their kids into the 'good' teachers rooms. As a result, these senior teachers can be very unpleasant to deal with. There is a lot of playing favorites, which is no so subtly encouraged, through
... Read more the soliciting of volunteers and fundraising. It can be unpleasant for working parents, particularly if you are unwilling or unable to pony up a lot of cash. The campus is very beautiful though, and the enrichment classes are good and convenient. Read less
Posted by a parent on 10/08/09
Many of the older posts are obsolete (the new principle, Judy Sanders, is the former teacher and Hilltop parent mentioned in later posts; she is great and should not be confused with the previous principle who was not). Also, due to the recent state budget crisis funding has been cut for many school
... Read more programs. Thanks to the Kensington Education Foundation (KEF) funded by events such as the Garden Party and the Spring Carnival, Hilltop will continue to offer most of the programs other schools will not. Kensington is not a rough environment and I have never seen evidence of that. The comment that kids rarely smile at this school is ridiculous! Sports, math, music, science, art - it's all there and all good! Parent volunteers are amazing and what makes the school top notch! Volunteer opportunities are non competitive and all welcoming. Better sense of community than private school experience. A+ Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/16/09
A warm, caring environment, with kids of various backgrounds & ethnicities, good teachers and good parent-support makes Kens. Elem. a great school.
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Posted by a parent on 09/16/09
Kensington is a wonderful school. The principal, a former teacher, is a gem! I have three kids attending and they have had great experiences. Library, art, and science are all funded by the parents. I have found the money drills a bit tiresome but am comfortable just saying no when we can't help.
... Read more Some parents (moms especially) get into a uber-volunteer mode that seems more about their guilt and too much free time, than anything the school does. We have had great teachers but there are a couple who are pretty dreadful and cause a lot of parents to consider private school (fortunately, they teach different grades). The lunch hour is strange with a real lack of activities. I can't figure who is in charge of this, but the after school programs are cheap and terrific! The annual Halloween parade and carnival are delightful! Read less
Posted by a parent on 06/19/09
The community involvement is what sets this school apart...this is the only school in Kensington, and is the center of a lot of community events.
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Posted by a parent on 05/21/09
We had the pleasure moving from Norway and get or kids in to this great school. We had heard a lot of bad things about public schools in the US before our move. But after one year at Kensington Hilltop our impression is that this school is a lot better than most norwegian elementary schools. Great teachers
... Read more and a great community who supports their school! Read less
Posted by a parent on 02/20/08
Kensington, a rough environment? That is a good one! Who are you, the Queen of England? My children love the art, music, and science programs there. Not very many things are progressive in present day America, but Kensington is as close as it gets for a public school in WCCUSD.
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Posted by a parent on 01/26/08
Can be a rough environment. Very poor remedies for misbehaved kids and bullies. Archaic ways of handling kid's being bullied. School bullies go unchecked and remain to bully others all through school. Constant turnover in administration. Kids rarely smile at this school. Little supervision in yard. Kids
... Read more sent out in noontime sun with no shaded areas. They are told to stay away from the cooler, shaded hallway in front of classrooms. Education is hit and miss. not for the bright or gifted child. Very mediocre. Totally lacking in art, math, music, and science departments. No sports. Not at all all progressive. Staff not a very happy lot. School secretary almost sullen. Does not greet kids or know by name. Overall, it was a poor experience for my three. We moved to another much better school! Read less
Posted by a parent on 11/05/07
The Principal does the best he can managing overzealous volunteers. And the teachers work hard to comply with the 'no child left behind' mandates. Kensington is a school stuck (in it's ways) at the top (in district scores) with no vision as to where to go next. Sixth grade has very good teachers (when
... Read more many students flee to private schools). Let's hope the incoming parents can raise it higher in terms of all students gaining a grade level education. Read less
Posted by a parent on 05/12/07
Kensington is an excellent school thanks to parents participation. Unfortunately, the principal is not the best, he came to Kensington Hill Top Elementary two 2 years ago from a San Jose School District and supposedly with great experience and background. There are a lot parents who are not happy with
... Read more his leadership skills Read less
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Kensington schools — Kensington Elementary School is located at 90 Highland Blvd, Kensington CA 94708. 90 Highland Blvd is in the Kensington neighborhood and 94708 ZIP code in Kensington, CA The school district for Kensington Elementary School is the West Contra Costa Usd. Kensington Elementary School is a Public school that serves grade levels K - 6.
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Test Score Ratings
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