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Carmel Mission ChurchPhoto: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0
A
Schools in Carmel-by-the-Sea · Carmel Unified School District

Carmel-by-the-Sea’s public schools outscore 93% of California districts

Math proficiency in Carmel-by-the-Sea’s districts is 64%, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Carmel-by-the-Sea, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#56of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
79%
▲ 32 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
64%
▲ 31 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
98%
▲ 12 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$37.1K
▲ 75% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.6
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
2,142 students on the public path
In brief

Carmel-by-the-Sea’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 425 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s, its schools beat 98%, higher than their 93% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 79% and math 64% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 98% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $37,134 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Carmel Middle, then Carmel High. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Carmel-by-the-Sea’s grade

A+ Test scoresA+ Graduation

A: better than 93% of California school districts, #56 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 93%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (425)Better than 98%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,170 test results and a graduating class of 235 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,167 in math, 1,174 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carmel-by-the-Sea, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A
6–8Carmel Middlein CarmelA
9–12Carmel Highin CarmelA

Carmel-by-the-Sea’s public schools are run by Carmel Unified School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Carmel Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 6 schools · 2,152 students · 15.6 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$37,134CA $21,206 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading79%
State average 46.7% · 1174 students tested
Math64%
State average 33.1% · 1167 students tested

Carmel-by-the-Sea vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Carmel-by-the-Sea’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Carmel-by-the-SeaACarmel Unified

Every school in Carmel-by-the-Sea

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

Also serving Carmel-by-the-Seain other towns
Tularcitos Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Carmel Valley
A
447 students21:1Rate it →
Carmel River Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Carmel
A
400 students21:1Rate it →
Captain Cooper Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Big Sur
A−
47 students9:1Rate it →
Carmel Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Carmel
A
468 students13:1Rate it →
Carmel High
High · Grades 9–12 · Carmel
A
780 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Carmel-by-the-Sea’s schools

Are Carmel-by-the-Sea’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Carmel-by-the-Sea children attend outscore 93% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #56 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Carmel-by-the-Sea in?

Carmel Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,152 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Carmel-by-the-Sea kids go to high school?

Carmel High in Carmel, with 780 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Carmel-by-the-Sea’s graduation rate?

98% of the class of 2023 in Carmel Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Carmel-by-the-Sea spend per student?

$37,134 in Carmel Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Carmel-by-the-Sea families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carmel-by-the-Sea → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.