Kensington Elementary School

Kensington has a long-standing reputation as an outstanding school and it deserves a five star and an A+ rating! Our older son went there from K-6th grade and now, our younger son has started kindergarten at Kensington. Our entire family, grandparents included have thoroughly enjoyed the community, excellent teachers, comprehensive education and the hospitality that this school offers. The API is constantly evolving in a positive direction mostly due to the supportive leadership of our wonderful principal, Judy Sanders. We are 2 full-time working parents but we make time to volunteer because it is so important to the kids and the overall well-being of our school.
--Submitted by a parent

Kensington is an excellent elementary school. Our teachers go above and beyond and there is phenomenal support from our community.
--Submitted by a parent

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 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.
--Submitted by a parent

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 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+
--Submitted by a parent

A warm, caring environment, with kids of various backgrounds & ethnicities, good teachers and good parent-support makes Kens. Elem. a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

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. 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!
--Submitted by a parent

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.
--Submitted by a parent

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 and a great community who supports their school!
--Submitted by a parent

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.
--Submitted by a parent

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 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!
--Submitted by a parent