Best Schools in Carmel, California
9 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Carmel?
Use this page to compare every school in Carmel by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Carmel High
High · Carmel Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carmel River Elementary
Elementary · Carmel Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carmel Middle
Middle · Carmel Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carmel for 2026 are Carmel High (8.6/10), Carmel River Elementary (8.4/10), and Carmel Middle (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
4 public · 5 private
Avg Score
8.0
out of 10
Median Home
$1,785,401
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
4 public · 5 private
Avg Score
8.0
out of 10
Median Home
$1,785,401
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +3.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Carmel schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Carmel
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carmel High | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Carmel River Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Carmel Middle | 8.2 / 10 |
| 4 | All Saints' Episcopal Day School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Stevenson School Carmel Campus | 6.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 8.0/10
- Median household income
- $104,979
- Median home value
- $1,785,401
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 70%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
80% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Carmel compares
California rank
#26 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.8
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$105k
105% of California median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Carmel, California
Carmel, California is home to 9 schools, including 4 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 8.0 out of 10, schools in Carmel perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Carmel is Carmel High with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carmel is served by 1 school district: Carmel Unified. These districts collectively serve 2,159 students.
Carmel's community shows 70% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $104,979. The poverty rate in the area is 6.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 380 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 | ||
| Private Schools 5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | All Saints' Episcopal Day School
Private
204 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | Stevenson School Carmel Campus
Private
247 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | Stevenson School Carmel Campus
Private
215 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | All Saints' Episcopal Day School
Private
213 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | St Dunstan's Episcopal School
Private
3 students · Pre-K–TK | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 473 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 799 students · 9th–12th | 8.6 |
| 2 | 21 students · 9th–12th | — |
Schools in Carmel
Carmel, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$104,979
Median Home Value
$1,785,401
Median Rent
$2,597/mo
Population
14,836
College Educated
70%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Community Profile
Carmel has a median household income of $104,979. It is a well-educated community where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,785,401, with a median rent of $2,597/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Carmel, California
How many schools are in Carmel, California?
Carmel has 9 schools, including 4 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carmel, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carmel is 8.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Carmel, California?
The top-ranked school in Carmel on MySchoolScout is Carmel High with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carmel, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carmel on MySchoolScout is Carmel River Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Carmel, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Carmel on MySchoolScout is Carmel Middle with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best high school in Carmel, California?
The top-ranked high school in Carmel on MySchoolScout is Carmel High with a composite score of 8.6/10.
How many school districts serve Carmel, California?
Carmel is served by 1 school district: Carmel Unified.
What is the education level in Carmel, California?
According to Census data, 70% of adults in Carmel have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carmel, California?
The median household income in Carmel is approximately $104,979 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Carmel, California?
Yes, Carmel has 5 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is All Saints' Episcopal Day School with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carmel, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carmel is 9.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carmel, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.