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
Enrollment
700
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Carmel Valley Middle — Students at Carmel Valley Middle score 81% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 78.67% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 86% (2019) to 83.33% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (858) 481-8221
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Dieguito Union High- District Enrollment
- 12,364
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,521
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.