Berkeley Parents Network: About Kensington Public Schools

Berkeley Parents Network

About Kensington Public Schools

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > West Contra Costa County School District > About Kensington Public Schools

Kensington middle/high school options

Sept 2007

My family is considering buying a home in Kensington and we've heard good reviews of the elementary school. We wonder though, what percentage of parents go on to send their kids to public middle and high schools versus private schools. Are there even any private high schools within a reasonable driving distance to Kensington? We wonder whether there's a loss of community as 6th grade ends and kids who've been through elementary school together disperse to various places for middle/high school? Anon

I think the questions you are asking are similar to what others wonder when they consider moving to Kensington. We certainly did, and I think it comes down to a personal choice as to whether the middle school/high school options work your family or not. I have no idea about actual percentages, but the elementary grades at Hilltop (5 and 6) start reducing in size by about half because many families start pulling their kids out then to put them into private school options because it is thought that if you wait until 7th then your kid might not get in to their preferred private option. We have talked to several families who have their kids at Portola-- some do well, some don't and they transfer. We plan on giving Portola a try, but note that the school's location is in upheaval and will be in a location to be determined within a few years. I think the Kensington community is strong, so even if kids aren't at the same schools, seems like there is still a lot of ways to interact within the community-- haven't heard that as an issue. anon

How do I find out if I'm in the Kensington District?

December 2003

We recently purchased a home in Kensington on Colusa Ave. and shortly after moving in were told by a neighbor that we are not districted for Kensington Elementary school. Suffice it to say we were not happy as that was one of the reasons we loved the house. Then, we met the family that recently moved out of the house next door and they told us that their daughter went to Kensington elementary. Does anybody know how districting works for Kensington schools? Our daughter is only 17 months old right now, so we have a few years to figure this all out. Thanks.

confused in Kensington

Information on Kensington (West Contra Costa USD) districting and a contact person can be found here: http://www.wccusd.k12.ca.us/RSD/ResSchDir/resdir.htm

a West Contra Costa parent

In response to the question about the Kensington Elementary boundaries -- go to the West Contra Costa School District resident school directory http://www.wccusd.k12.ca.us/RSD/ResSchDir/resdir.htm website and look up your street address. Scott

We found ourselves in the same situation. We bought a house in Kensington only to find that we were supposed to send our kids to Harding in El Cerrito. The El Cerrito/Kensington border is in our front yard and the school line is in our back yard! The good news is that we were able to transfer in both cases and our kids have always attended Hilltop. Contact the transfer office in Richmond, at the West Contra Costa USD Office. The process for us was to register each child at Harding in Feb or March, I believe, and then ask for the transfer form. In our case, the transfers were approved in May, but I have heard of other neighbors who had a harder time getting in. It depends on space at the school and on your willingness to wait until the last minute for an answer. Please contact me if you have any questions. Robin

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