Very Good
#2930 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 31% 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
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,831
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#103 of 288
public schools
California high schools
#535 of 1,892
In district
#14 of 38
Poway Unified
Equity
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Mt. Carmel High
Mt. Carmel High School serves 1,831 students in grades 9-12 in San Diego's affluent Carmel Mountain area. This regular public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.5:1 with 78 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
Academically, Mt. Carmel High performs well above average, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #1535 out of 9566 California schools. The school demonstrates strong literacy achievement with 74% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts, while 58% reach proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's solid academic foundation with an overall academic score of 8.9 out of 10. The school draws from a highly educated community in the 92129 ZIP code, where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $146,754. With a low poverty rate of just 6.1% and median home values of $932,400, the area represents one of San Diego's more prosperous neighborhoods.
Mt. Carmel High School sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a more spacious campus environment while remaining connected to the broader San Diego metropolitan area's educational and cultural opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Mt. Carmel High is 23.5:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Mt. Carmel High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Mt. Carmel High — Students at Mt. Carmel High score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.
How Mt. Carmel High Compares
See how Mt. Carmel High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 58.21% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 73.97% (2024).
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. Canyon View Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Adobe Bluffs Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ericson Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.9 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 | 6.0 |
| Sunset Hills Elementary San Diego | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| RENAISSANCE VILLAGE ACADEMY San Diego | 0.6 mi | — |
| Sundance Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL San Diego | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Adobe Bluffs Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Deer Canyon Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Canyon View Elementary San Diego | 1.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Mesa Verde Middle San Diego | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Los Penasquitos Elementary San Diego | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Westview High San Diego | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Morning Creek Elementary San Diego | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Oak Valley Middle San Diego | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Rolling Hills Elementary San Diego | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Stone Ranch Elementary San Diego | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Park Village Elementary San Diego | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Shoal Creek Elementary San Diego | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Ericson Elementary San Diego | 2.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Dingeman Elementary San Diego | 2.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Hage Elementary San Diego | 3.2 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mt. Carmel High has a median household income of $152,626. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,018,100, with a median rent of $2,671/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln High Testville, CA | 7.2 |
| Adrian Wilcox High Santa Clara, CA | 7.2 |
| Benicia High Benicia, CA | 7.2 |
| Burroughs High Burbank, CA | 7.2 |
| Castaic High Castaic, CA | 7.2 |
| Christopher High Gilroy, CA | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #2930 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Mt. Carmel High's MySchoolScout rating?
Mt. Carmel High has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Mt. Carmel High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mt. Carmel High has 60.5% math proficiency and 75.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (858) 484-1180
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Poway Unified- District Enrollment
- 34,935
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,231
- District Rank
- #14 of 38
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.
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