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Very Good

#3177 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 33% in state

Carmel Valley Middle

Middle School · San Dieguito Union High

710 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024

Enrollment

700

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

7.1

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Encinitas

#10 of 16

public schools

California middle schools

#424 of 1,349

In district

#7 of 10

San Dieguito Union High

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Carmel Valley Middle

Carmel Valley Middle serves 700 students in grades 7-8 in Encinitas, California, and stands out as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a ranking of #402 out of 9,566 California schools, placing it in the 96th percentile, the school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement. Students consistently excel in both English Language Arts, where 83% score proficient or above, and mathematics, with 79% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards.

The school operates with 30 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 23:1. This staffing level supports the strong academic outcomes that have earned Carmel Valley Middle a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10, with an impressive academic score of 9.8. Located on Encinitas Boulevard, the school serves a well-educated community where 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding 92024 ZIP code reflects an affluent area with a median household income of $141,329 and median home values of $1,299,800, while maintaining a low poverty rate of 5.4%. Carmel Valley Middle sits within the vibrant coastal community of Encinitas in San Diego County, where families value educational excellence and community engagement in this desirable Southern California setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Carmel Valley Middle is 23.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.3%
Math vs. State Avg+44.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+36 pts
Overall Proficiency81%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+13.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,609

Carmel Valley Middle — Students at Carmel Valley Middle score 81% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 80.0%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 84.0%
School
State
46.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
84%
ELA
86%
2024
Math
78.7%
ELA
83.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.

How Carmel Valley Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in CA
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

710 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carmel Valley Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sage Canyon (rated 9.0/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Solana Pacific Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ocean Air (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Encinitas, see our Encinitas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Solana Pacific Elementary San Diego 0.3 mi 8.5
The Uni of Liberty San Diego 0.4 mi
Carmel Del Mar Elementary San Diego 0.5 mi 7.5
Carmel Creek Elementary San Diego 0.5 mi 8.2
DEL MAR PINES SCHOOL San Diego 0.8 mi 6.9
Del Mar Pines School San Diego 0.8 mi
Solana Highlands Elementary San Diego 0.7 mi 5.5
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY San Diego 0.7 mi 7.2
Torrey Pines High Encinitas 0.8 mi 7.6
CAL COAST ACADEMY San Diego 0.9 mi 6.5
Del Mar Hills Elementary Del Mar 0.9 mi 6.9
Del Mar Heights Elementary Del Mar 1.0 mi 6.9
Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego 1.5 mi 7.6
Ocean Air San Diego 1.6 mi 8.3
WINSTON SCHOOL Del Mar 1.9 mi 7.6
The Winston School of San Diego Del Mar 1.9 mi
CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Diego 2.0 mi 4.5
Sycamore Ridge San Diego 2.0 mi 7.2
Torrey Hills San Diego 2.3 mi 7.1
Sage Canyon San Diego 2.2 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92024 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$149,080

Median Home Value

$1,409,700

Median Rent

$2,643/mo

Population

50,030

College Educated

66.8%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

44.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carmel Valley Middle has a median household income of $149,080. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,409,700, with a median rent of $2,643/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alta Loma Middle South San Francisco, CA 7.1
Calavera Hills Middle Carlsbad, CA 7.1
Fairview Middle Gonzales, CA 7.1
Fort Miller Middle Fresno, CA 7.1
Hidden Valley Middle Escondido, CA 7.1
John Sutter Middle Fowler, CA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carmel Valley Middle

What grades does Carmel Valley Middle serve?

Carmel Valley Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Carmel Valley Middle?

Carmel Valley Middle has an enrollment of approximately 700 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carmel Valley Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Carmel Valley Middle is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carmel Valley Middle rank in CA?

Carmel Valley Middle is ranked #3177 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Carmel Valley Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Carmel Valley Middle has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Valley Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carmel Valley Middle has 80.0% math proficiency and 84.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carmel Valley Middle a charter school?

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

Is Carmel Valley Middle a Title I school?

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

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

14.7% of students at Carmel Valley 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,166/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
700
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Dieguito Union High
District Enrollment
12,364
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,521
District Rank
#7 of 10

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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