Photo: David Balmer · CC BY 3.0Carmel Valley Village’s public schools outscore 51% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Carmel Valley Village, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 24% of students in Carmel Valley Village’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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.
Carmel Valley Village’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 278 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Carmel Valley Village’s, its schools beat 26%, lower than their 51% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 47% and math 24% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Salinas Union High spends $19,699 per student and Carmel Unified $37,134, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Astra Nova School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Carmel Valley Village’s grade
B−: better than 51% of California school districts, #469 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carmel Valley Village, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Carmel Valley Village
Tularcitos Elementary
Grades K–5 · 447 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Carmel Valley
1st grade in Carmel Valley Village
Tularcitos Elementary
Grades K–5 · 447 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Carmel Valley
2nd grade in Carmel Valley Village
Tularcitos Elementary
Grades K–5 · 447 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Carmel Valley
3rd grade in Carmel Valley Village
Tularcitos Elementary
Grades K–5 · 447 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Carmel Valley
4th grade in Carmel Valley Village
Tularcitos Elementary
Grades K–5 · 447 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Carmel Valley
5th grade in Carmel Valley Village
Tularcitos Elementary
Grades K–5 · 447 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Carmel Valley
6th grade in Carmel Valley Village
Carmel Middle
Grades 6–8 · 468 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Carmel
Carmel Valley Village runs its own schools through grade 12 (Carmel Unified School District). From grade 7, students attend the Salinas Union High School District, shared with Marina and Salinas. Its middle school is in Salinas. Parts of Carmel Valley Village (3% of its land) are served by Washington Union Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Carmel Valley Village
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Carmel Valley Village vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Carmel Valley Village’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Carmel Valley Village | B− | Carmel Unified K–12 · Salinas Union High 7–12 |
Every school in Carmel Valley Village
13 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).
Questions about Carmel Valley Village’s schools
Are Carmel Valley Village’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Carmel Valley Village children attend outscore 51% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #469 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 26%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Carmel Valley Village in?
Two districts: Carmel Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Salinas Union High School District runs grades 7–12, shared with Marina and Salinas.
Where do Carmel Valley Village kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Alisal High, Salinas High, North Salinas High, Everett Alvarez High, Rancho San Juan High and Carmel High.
What is Carmel Valley Village’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Salinas Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Carmel Valley Village spend per student?
$19,699 in Salinas Union High School District and $37,134 in Carmel Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Carmel Valley Village?
Yes: Astra Nova School (nonsectarian, grades 6–8, 32 students).
Parents talk
What Carmel Valley Village families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carmel Valley Village → 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.