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Very Good

#1829 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 19% in state

Carmel High

High School · Carmel Unified

PO Box 222780, Carmel, CA 93922

Enrollment

799

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carmel

#2 of 3

public schools

California high schools

#319 of 1,892

In district

#4 of 5

Carmel Unified

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Carmel High

Carmel High serves 799 students in grades 9-12 in the picturesque coastal community of Carmel, California. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1 supported by 51 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a more personalized learning environment than many larger high schools. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 95th percentile statewide at #503 out of 9,566 California schools.

Students particularly excel in English Language Arts, with 76% achieving proficient or above levels across all grade levels. Mathematics presents more of a challenge, with 49% of students reaching proficiency, indicating an area where the school continues to focus its efforts to support student growth. As a regular public high school, Carmel High offers comprehensive educational opportunities for teenagers in this close-knit community.

The school's solid academic foundation, combined with its manageable size, allows educators to know their students well and provide targeted support where needed. Carmel High sits in the heart of one of California's most beloved coastal communities, where students benefit from the unique cultural richness and natural beauty of the Monterey Peninsula's mid-size suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.3%
Math vs. State Avg+21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.4 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation57.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,314

Carmel High — Students at Carmel High score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 56.9%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 78.9%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
67%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2024
Math
49.3%
ELA
76.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.

How Carmel High Compares

See how Carmel High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
81th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

Location

PO Box 222780, Carmel, CA 93922

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carmel High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Monterey High (rated 8.2/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Monterey), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pacific Grove High (rated 7.8/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Pacific Grove), with a very similar rating. Additionally, TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Monterey), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Carmel, see our Carmel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
STEVENSON SCHOOL CARMEL CAMPUS Carmel 0.9 mi 6.8
Stevenson School Carmel Campus Carmel 1.0 mi
Carmel Middle Carmel 1.1 mi 7.0
Carmel River Elementary Carmel 1.2 mi 8.1
Monte Vista Monterey 2.6 mi 6.0
Monterey High Monterey 2.8 mi 8.2
La Mesa Monterey 2.5 mi 5.2
SAN CARLOS SCHOOL Monterey 3.0 mi 6.2
San Carlos Elementary Monterey 3.0 mi
Catherine Dior School Monterey 3.1 mi
Stevenson School Pebble Beach Pebble Beach 2.9 mi
STEVENSON SCHOOL - PEBBLE BEACH CAMPUS Pebble Beach 3.0 mi 5.5
Sojourner Academy Monterey 3.7 mi
Community High (Continuation) Pacific Grove 3.6 mi
Monterey Bay Charter Pacific Grove 3.6 mi 6.9
SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL Monterey 3.4 mi 8.5
Santa Catalina School Monterey 3.4 mi
Pacific Grove High Pacific Grove 3.9 mi 7.8
Big Sur Charter Monterey 3.9 mi 4.7
TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Monterey 4.0 mi 7.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Da Vinci Communications El Segundo, CA 7.7
Linda Esperanza Marquez High A Hntngtn Park Inst of Appl Med Huntington Park, CA 7.7
Linda Esperanza Marquez High B LIBRA Academy Huntington Park, CA 7.7
Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz, CA 7.7
Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science Los Angeles, CA 7.8
Pacific Grove High Pacific Grove, CA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carmel High

What grades does Carmel High serve?

Carmel High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Carmel High?

Carmel High has an enrollment of approximately 799 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carmel High?

The student-teacher ratio at Carmel High is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carmel High rank in CA?

Carmel High is ranked #1829 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Carmel High's MySchoolScout rating?

Carmel High has a composite rating of 7.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Carmel High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carmel High has 56.9% math proficiency and 78.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carmel High a charter school?

No, Carmel High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Carmel High a Title I school?

No, Carmel High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carmel High?

14.4% of students at Carmel High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,117/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carmel). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
799
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Monterey County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Carmel Unified
District Enrollment
2,159
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$33,756
District Rank
#4 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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