We would like to welcome you to our school website. Founded in 1969 and nationally recognized for excellence, Kensington School is a private nursery, preschool and kindergarten in our 12 locations. Our innovative curriculum, inspirational teaching, and beautiful classroom environments make Kensington School an outstanding first school experience.

At Kensington, you will find busy, curious, and happy children who love being at school. The sound of laughter, the magic of learning and the hum of activity fills every corner of our buildings. We value our talented teaching staff and build true partnerships with parents, cultivating nurturing environments for our children and teachers.

As you visit our website, we hope you enjoy seeing a glimpse of the learning that takes place at our schools, from our wonderful infant nurseries to our thriving preschool and kindergarten classrooms. We invite you to schedule a visit and experience the excellence that has impacted the educational foundation of young children for over fifty years.

We look forward to the opportunity to introduce you to Kensington School. Please visit us and see what makes Kensington so special.

The Marlas Family

About Kensington School

Our History
Barbara Marlas founded Kensington School more than fifty years ago. As an educator, Mrs. Marlas recognized in 1969 that the children who attended quality early childhood programs were a step ahead of their peers. They were confident, enthusiastic, and ready to learn. Mrs. Marlas immersed herself in researching child development and decided the best early childhood programs would not be entrenched in one single philosophy. Each type of curriculum had components that were intriguing:

  • Play-based programs encouraged children’s independence and social confidence.
  • Traditional curriculum helped children regulate behavior and provided exposure to concepts that prepared them for academic success.
  • Curiosity-based programs encouraged a higher level of thinking and language development, as well as allowed for social engagement through small group problem solving and exploration.

Mrs. Marlas wanted her own children to enjoy the benefits of a program incorporating the best of what she gleaned during her research. She exhaustively explored prospective early childhood programs but could not find a school with the right balance. With a mother’s passion for giving her children the best possible educational foundation, and a deep respect for early childhood educators, Mrs. Marlas opened her first school in 1969. Decades later, this small school grew to shape the lives of tens of thousands of children.

Kensington School is named after the address of its very first location on Kensington Avenue in LaGrange, Illinois. Built in 1894, the building served as the town’s first schoolhouse and its unique interior architecture has served as an inspiration for the construction of all subsequent Kensington School buildings.

With an innovative spirit rooted in a deep history, Kensington School has raised the bar on early childhood education for over 50 years, creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond our schools.

Our Philosophy and Environment

Innovative Curriculum

Health and Wellness

Admissions and Careers