Excellent
#1157 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 12% in state
Carmel River Elementary
Elementary School · Carmel Unified
PO Box 222700, Carmel, CA 93922
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carmel
#1 of 3
public schools
California elementary schools
#831 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 5
Carmel Unified
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Carmel River Elementary
Carmel River Elementary serves 380 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the scenic coastal community of Carmel, California. This regular public school has earned exceptional recognition with a 9.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #106 out of 9,566 schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile among California elementary schools. The school demonstrates outstanding academic performance, with an impressive 9.7 out of 10 academic score.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 79% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while an even stronger 80% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the dedication of the school's 19 full-time equivalent teachers, who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. Carmel River Elementary's success stems from its commitment to providing quality education in an environment that supports student achievement across all grade levels.
The school's consistently high performance in both literacy and numeracy demonstrates effective teaching practices and strong academic foundations. Located in Monterey County's mid-size suburban setting, Carmel River Elementary serves families in one of California's most picturesque coastal communities, where educational excellence meets the natural beauty of the Monterey Peninsula.
Score Breakdown
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Carmel River Elementary — Students at Carmel River Elementary score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
9.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.8/10.
How Carmel River Elementary Compares
See how Carmel River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 79.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 78.61% (2024).
Location
PO Box 222700, Carmel, CA 93922
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carmel River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest Grove Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Pacific Grove), with a comparable rating. Another option is Monterey Bay Charter (rated 6.9/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Pacific Grove), a more accessible option. Additionally, STEVENSON SCHOOL CARMEL CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Carmel, see our Carmel schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Carmel High Carmel | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| STEVENSON SCHOOL CARMEL CAMPUS Carmel | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Stevenson School Carmel Campus Carmel | 1.5 mi | — |
| Carmel Middle Carmel | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Stevenson School Pebble Beach Pebble Beach | 3.2 mi | — |
| STEVENSON SCHOOL - PEBBLE BEACH CAMPUS Pebble Beach | 3.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Monte Vista Monterey | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Monterey High Monterey | 3.9 mi | 8.2 |
| La Mesa Monterey | 3.7 mi | 5.2 |
| SAN CARLOS SCHOOL Monterey | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
| San Carlos Elementary Monterey | 4.1 mi | — |
| Monterey Bay Charter Pacific Grove | 4.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Community High (Continuation) Pacific Grove | 4.4 mi | — |
| Catherine Dior School Monterey | 4.2 mi | — |
| Pacific Grove High Pacific Grove | 4.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Forest Grove Elementary Pacific Grove | 4.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Sojourner Academy Monterey | 4.7 mi | — |
| Pacific Grove Middle Pacific Grove | 5.0 mi | 6.7 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Monterey | 5.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Big Sur Charter Monterey | 5.0 mi | 4.7 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Addison Elementary Palo Alto, CA | 8.1 |
| Aloha Elementary Lakewood, CA | 8.1 |
| Altadena Elementary Altadena, CA | 8.1 |
| Alvarado Elementary Signal Hill, CA | 8.1 |
| Aptitud Community Academy at Goss San Jose, CA | 8.1 |
| Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley, CA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carmel River Elementary
What grades does Carmel River Elementary serve?
Carmel River Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Carmel River Elementary?
Carmel River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 380 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carmel River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Carmel River Elementary is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carmel River Elementary rank in CA?
Carmel River Elementary is ranked #1157 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Carmel River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Carmel River Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 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 River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carmel River Elementary has 77.4% math proficiency and 78.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carmel River Elementary a charter school?
No, Carmel River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carmel River Elementary a Title I school?
No, Carmel River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carmel River Elementary?
9.7% of students at Carmel River Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carmel). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 380
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 9.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 624-4609
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carmel Unified- District Enrollment
- 2,159
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $33,756
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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