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Very Good

#3270 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 34% in state

Carmel Middle

Middle School · Carmel Unified

PO Box 222740, Carmel, CA 93922

Enrollment

473

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carmel

#3 of 3

public schools

California middle schools

#444 of 1,349

In district

#5 of 5

Carmel Unified

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Carmel Middle

Carmel Middle serves 473 students in grades 6-8 in the picturesque coastal community of Carmel, California. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 with 36 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. Academically, Carmel Middle demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10.

The school ranks #287 out of 9,566 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 97th percentile among California schools. Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 69% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 59% reach proficiency in Mathematics. The school's academic excellence reflects the engaged learning environment fostered by its dedicated teaching staff.

With nearly three decades of serving middle school students, Carmel Middle has established itself as a high-performing institution that effectively prepares students for their high school years. Carmel Middle is situated in a rural setting near the charming town of Carmel, offering students the benefits of small-town community life while maintaining access to quality educational resources. The school's location in Monterey County provides a unique backdrop for learning in one of California's most scenic coastal regions.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Carmel Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.4%
Math vs. State Avg+25 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.5 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,314

Carmel Middle — Students at Carmel Middle score 64% 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

15%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 60.6%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 71.9%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 12 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
68%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
74%
2024
Math
59.4%
ELA
69.4%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Carmel Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
66th percentile in CA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

PO Box 222740, Carmel, CA 93922

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carmel Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Monterey), which scores notably higher. Another option is Monterey High (rated 8.2/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Monterey), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carmel, see our Carmel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Carmel High Carmel 1.1 mi 7.7
Carmel River Elementary Carmel 1.5 mi 8.1
STEVENSON SCHOOL CARMEL CAMPUS Carmel 2.0 mi 6.8
Stevenson School Carmel Campus Carmel 2.1 mi
La Mesa Monterey 2.9 mi 5.2
Monte Vista Monterey 3.6 mi 6.0
Monterey High Monterey 3.7 mi 8.2
SAN CARLOS SCHOOL Monterey 3.7 mi 6.2
San Carlos Elementary Monterey 3.7 mi
Catherine Dior School Monterey 3.9 mi
SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL Monterey 3.8 mi 8.5
Santa Catalina School Monterey 3.8 mi
All Saints' Episcopal Day School Carmel 3.6 mi
ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Carmel 3.6 mi 8.2
Stevenson School Pebble Beach Pebble Beach 4.0 mi
Sojourner Academy Monterey 4.6 mi
Bay View Academy Monterey 4.4 mi 4.4
STEVENSON SCHOOL - PEBBLE BEACH CAMPUS Pebble Beach 4.1 mi 5.5
Big Sur Charter Monterey 4.8 mi 4.7
Carmel Valley High Carmel 3.9 mi

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Big Bear Middle Big Bear Lake, CA 7.0
Bohannon Middle San Lorenzo, CA 7.0
Bret Harte Middle Hayward, CA 7.0
Bret Harte Preparatory Middle Los Angeles, CA 7.0
Crown Preparatory Academy Los Angeles, CA 7.0
Dolores Huerta Middle San Jose, CA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carmel Middle

What grades does Carmel Middle serve?

Carmel Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Carmel Middle?

Carmel Middle has an enrollment of approximately 473 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carmel Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Carmel Middle is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carmel Middle rank in CA?

Carmel Middle is ranked #3270 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Carmel Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Carmel Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carmel Middle has 60.6% math proficiency and 71.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carmel Middle a charter school?

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

Is Carmel Middle a Title I school?

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

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

15.0% of students at Carmel Middle 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
473
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
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
#5 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

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