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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg+30.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College Readiness9.4Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation38.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,249

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

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 60.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 75.6%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
79%
2024
Math
58.2%
ELA
74%

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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
78 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
54 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,092/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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