Carmel Unified School District
School District · Carmel, California
Avg Rating
8.0
out of 10
Schools
6
3 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
2,159
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Avg Rating
8.0
out of 10
Schools
6
3 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
2,159
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
How this district compares
California rank
#20 of 713
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+1.6
above California avg
Per-pupil spending
$33,756
+$16,109 vs California median
District size
2,159 students
Smaller than California median
The short answer
Carmel Unified ranks #20 of 713 California districts by overall school rating. Carmel Unified's schools with real test data average 8.0/10 across 5 schools. Its top-rated schools are Captain Cooper Elementary (9.7/10), Carmel High (9.5/10), and Carmel Middle (7.9/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
STAAR proficiency rose +27.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Carmel Unified schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Carmel Unified
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Captain Cooper Elementary | 9.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Carmel High | 9.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Carmel Middle | 7.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Carmel River Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Tularcitos Elementary | 5.2 / 10 |
See all 6 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Carmel Unified
Carmel Unified is a Carmel, California school district serving 6 schools.The district educates 2,159 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1. District-level spending was $33,756 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 8.0/10, Carmel Unified is among the strongest-performing districts in the state.
The highest-rated school in the district is Captain Cooper Elementary, which has a composite score of 9.7/10.
In standardized testing, Carmel Unified students show an average math proficiency of 67.3% and ELA proficiency of 72.1%.
The district includes 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Carmel Unified, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Carmel Unified with test data.
Schools in Carmel Unified
6 schoolsMiddle Schools1
High Schools2
District Details
- State
- California
- City
- Carmel
- Total Enrollment
- 2,159
- Teachers (FTE)
- 137
- District spending per student
- $33,756NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 5.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Carmel Unified?
Carmel Unified has 6 schools in total — 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Carmel Unified?
The average composite rating for Carmel Unified is 8.0/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Carmel Unified?
Carmel Unified's district-level spending was $33,756 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carmel Unified?
The average student-teacher ratio in Carmel Unified is 15.8:1.
What is the top-rated school in Carmel Unified?
Captain Cooper Elementary is the highest-rated school in Carmel Unified with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What are the test scores in Carmel Unified?
Across schools in Carmel Unified with test data, the average math proficiency is 67.3% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 72.1%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Carmel Unified compare to other districts in California?
Carmel Unified has an average school rating of 8.0/10 across 6 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in California by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 8.0/10
- Math Proficiency
- 67.3%
- ELA Proficiency
- 72.1%
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 rateOther School Districts in CA
Compare Carmel Unified with neighboring districts in the state.
- Los Angeles Unified (785)
- San Diego Unified (175)
- San Francisco Unified (113)
- Fresno Unified (101)
- Long Beach Unified (82)
- Oakland Unified (82)
- San Bernardino City Unified (76)
- Sacramento City Unified (73)
- San Juan Unified (68)
- Elk Grove Unified (67)
- Garden Grove Unified (66)
- Capistrano Unified (59)
- Stockton Unified (54)
- West Contra Costa Unified (54)
- Corona-Norco Unified (53)
- Mt. Diablo Unified (52)
- Santa Ana Unified (52)
- Clovis Unified (50)
- Lodi Unified (49)
- Riverside Unified (49)
- Bakersfield City (45)
- Irvine Unified (45)
- Fontana Unified (44)
- Fremont Unified (44)
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.
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