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Elementary Schools in San Carlos, California: San Carlos schools aren't just reaching proficiency — they're pushing students beyond it.

Above Average2024–25 data2 schools · avg 88.4/100

San Carlos, California has 2 ranked middle schools with an average Scope Score of 88.4/100 — 48.0 points above the state average of 40.4. The highest-scoring school is Central Middle at 90/100, where 54.5% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. San Carlos schools average 55.7% exceeded standard (state: 16.8%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 2 schools, 2 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 5.6% (below the state average of 18.5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
88.4
State avg: 40.4
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
3.0
86.9 – 89.9
Avg Exceeded %
55.7%
State avg: 16.8%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
5.6%
State avg: 18.5%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
2
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary1Strong
74.0/100
55.3%+30.8
Middle2Strong
88.4/100
55.7%+48.0

How San Carlos schools compare

San Carlos has 2 ranked middle schools with an average Scope Score of 88.4/100 — 48.0 points above the state average of 40.4 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Central Middle with a Scope Score of 90 and 54.5% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. San Carlos schools average 55.7% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 16.8%.

Chronic absenteeism in San Carlos averages 5.6% — below the state average of 18.5%.

How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%

School archetypes in San Carlos

2 High Ceiling

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

Every school in San Carlos

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Central Middle
San Carlos Elementary High Ceiling
54.5%Strong
90/100
2Tierra Linda Middle
San Carlos Elementary High Ceiling
56.9%Strong
87/100
3San Carlos Charter Learning Center
San Carlos Elementary High Ceiling
55.3%Strong
74/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 3 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in San Carlos

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

St. Charles School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 276 students
16:1Private
Kindercourt Academy
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-TK · 45 students
9:1Private
Arbor Bay School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-8 · 29 students
3:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about San Carlos

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in San Carlos good?
San Carlos's 2 ranked middle schools average a Scope Score of 88.4/100, which is 48.0 points above the state average. 55.7% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 16.8%). The Scope Score weights seven dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), ELPAC proficiency (5%), suspension rate (5%), and baseline proficiency (3%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best middle school in San Carlos?
The highest-scoring middle school in San Carlos is Central Middle with a Scope Score of 90/100 and 54.5% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do San Carlos schools compare to the state average?
San Carlos middle schools average a Scope Score of 88.4/100 — 48.0 points above the state average of 40.4. The exceeded rate averages 55.7% vs. 16.8% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 5.6% vs. 18.5% statewide.
How many schools are in San Carlos?
San Carlos has 2 ranked middle schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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