Photo: LINYperson615 · CC BY-SA 4.0Kensington’s public schools outscore 95% of New York districts
On the state math tests, 84% of Kensington’s students scored proficient, above the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Kensington, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New York, not nationally.
From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 88% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Kensington’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 139 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Kensington’s, its schools beat 72%, lower than their 95% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 81% and math 84% in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $36,778 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Kensington’s grade
A+: better than 95% of New York school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the New York average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Kensington, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Kensington · depends on your address
John F Kennedy School
Grades PK–5 · 427 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
Early Childhood Center
Grades PK–K · 304 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in New Hyde Park
6th grade in Kensington · depends on your address
Great Neck South Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 832 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
Great Neck North Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 728 students · 7:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
7th grade in Kensington · depends on your address
Great Neck South Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 832 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
Great Neck North Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 728 students · 7:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
8th grade in Kensington · depends on your address
Great Neck South Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 832 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
Great Neck North Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 728 students · 7:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
9th grade in Kensington · depends on your address
Great Neck South High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,362 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
Great Neck North High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,155 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
10th grade in Kensington · depends on your address
Great Neck South High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,362 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
Great Neck North High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,155 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Great Neck
Kensington’s public schools are run by Great Neck Union Free School District, which also serves Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Plaza, Great Neck and Kings Point and others. Parts of Kensington (7% of its land) are served by Manhasset Union Free instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Kensington vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Kensington’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Kensington | A+ | Great Neck Union Free |
| Thomaston | A+ | Great Neck Union Free |
| Great Neck | A+ | Great Neck Union Free |
| Great Neck Plaza | A+ | Great Neck Union Free |
| Great Neck Estates | A+ | Great Neck Union Free |
All 4 neighbors share Great Neck Union Free with Kensington, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Kensington
8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New York’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Kensington’s schools
Are Kensington’s schools good?
By New York’s own tests, yes: the public schools Kensington children attend outscore 95% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 72%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Kensington in?
Great Neck Union Free School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,798 students in 10 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Kensington are served by Manhasset Union Free.
Where do Kensington kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Great Neck South High School and Great Neck North High School.
What is Kensington’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in Great Neck Union Free School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Kensington spend per student?
$36,778 in Great Neck Union Free School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Kensington families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Kensington → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New York. Stars are from neighbors.