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Excellent

#1602 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 17% in state

Mt. Carmel High

High School · Poway Unified

9550 Carmel Mountain Rd., San Diego, CA 92129

Enrollment

1,831

Student-Teacher

23.5:1

Score

8.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,602 of 9,539

In San Diego

#86 of 288

public schools

In district

#12 of 38

Poway Unified

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Mt. Carmel High

8.0/10

High School in San Diego · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Black Mountain Middle

7.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sunset Hills Elementary

7.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mt. Carmel High

Mt. Carmel High is a public high school in San Diego, CA, part of Poway Unified. Mt.

Carmel High serves approximately 1,831 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 23.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Mt. Carmel High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,602 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Mt. Carmel High show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.0
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Mt. Carmel High runs 23.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Mt. Carmel High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+30.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate98%
AP Participation38.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,231
Chronic Absenteeism14.6%

Mt. Carmel High — Students at Mt. Carmel High score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 65.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 76.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
75%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
56%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
80%
2017
Math
55%
ELA
76%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
79%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
79%
2024
Math
58.2%
ELA
74%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.

How Mt. Carmel High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
83th percentile in CA
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
6.0/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.6
Sports
27
13 boys' · 14 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
78 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
38.6% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics27sports offered
13 boys'·14 girls'·61 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

9550 Carmel Mountain Rd., San Diego, CA 92129

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mt. Carmel High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Adobe Bluffs Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sundance Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rolling Hills Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Black Mountain Middle San Diego 0.2 mi 7.5
Sunset Hills Elementary San Diego 0.3 mi 7.8
RENAISSANCE VILLAGE ACADEMY San Diego 0.6 mi
Sundance Elementary San Diego 0.8 mi 8.9
THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL San Diego 1.1 mi 7.9
Adobe Bluffs Elementary San Diego 1.2 mi 9.0
Deer Canyon Elementary San Diego 1.2 mi 8.3
Canyon View Elementary San Diego 1.5 mi 8.0
Mesa Verde Middle San Diego 1.5 mi 7.7
Los Penasquitos Elementary San Diego 1.5 mi 7.5
Westview High San Diego 1.5 mi 7.9
Morning Creek Elementary San Diego 1.8 mi 8.3
Oak Valley Middle San Diego 2.4 mi 8.4
Rolling Hills Elementary San Diego 2.4 mi 8.9
Stone Ranch Elementary San Diego 2.6 mi 7.3
Park Village Elementary San Diego 2.4 mi 8.1
Shoal Creek Elementary San Diego 2.3 mi 7.7
Ericson Elementary San Diego 2.9 mi 8.6
Dingeman Elementary San Diego 2.9 mi 8.7
Hage Elementary San Diego 3.2 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92129 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$152,626

Median Home Value

$1,018,100

Median Rent

$2,671/mo

Population

53,080

College Educated

63.8%

Homeownership

72.5%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

5%

Median Age

41

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
California High Whittier, CA 8.0
Cobalt Institute of Math and Science Victorville, CA 8.0
Dana Hills High Dana Point, CA 8.0
Diamond Bar High Diamond Bar, CA 8.0
Kingsburg High Kingsburg, CA 8.0
Mark Keppel High Alhambra, CA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mt. Carmel High

What grades does Mt. Carmel High serve?

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

How many students attend Mt. Carmel High?

Mt. Carmel High has an enrollment of approximately 1,831 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mt. Carmel High?

The student-teacher ratio at Mt. Carmel High is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mt. Carmel High rank in CA?

Mt. Carmel High ranks #1,602 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Mt. Carmel High's MySchoolScout rating?

Mt. Carmel High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Mt. Carmel High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mt. Carmel High has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Mt. Carmel High a charter school?

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

Is Mt. Carmel High a Title I school?

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

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

17.1% of students at Mt. 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,831
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
78
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.6%
4-Year Graduation
98.0%

District

Poway Unified
District Enrollment
34,935
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,231
District Rank
#12 of 38

How we rate schools

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