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

Above Average2024–25 data1 schools · avg 73.2/100

Carmel, California has 1 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 73.2/100 — 28.4 points above the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Carmel River Elementary at 73/100, where 54.9% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Carmel schools average 54.9% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 1 schools, 1 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 11.6% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
73.2
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
0.0
73.2 – 73.2
Avg Exceeded %
54.9%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
11.6%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
1
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary1Strong
73.2/100
54.9%+28.4
High1Strong
72.9/100
45.7%+29.2
Middle1Solid
56.4/100
31.2%+13.8

How Carmel schools compare

Carmel has 1 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 73.2/100 — 28.4 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Carmel River Elementary with a Scope Score of 73 and 54.9% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Carmel schools average 54.9% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.

Chronic absenteeism in Carmel averages 11.6% — below the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

School archetypes in Carmel

1 High Ceiling

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

For the data nerds

Every school in Carmel

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Carmel River Elementary
Carmel Unified High Ceiling
54.9%Strong
73/100
2Carmel High
Carmel Unified Strong All-Around
45.7%Strong
73/100
3Carmel Middle
Carmel Unified Solid Base
31.2%Solid
56/100
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 Carmel

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.

Stevenson School Carmel Campus
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-8 · 247 students
8:1Private
All Saints' Episcopal Day School
Church of God · Grades Pre-K-8 · 204 students
6:1Private
St. Dunstan'S Episcopal School
Church of God · Grades Pre-K-TK · 3 students
2:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Carmel

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 Carmel good?
Carmel's 1 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 73.2/100, which is 28.4 points above the state average. 54.9% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Carmel?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Carmel is Carmel River Elementary with a Scope Score of 73/100 and 54.9% 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 Carmel schools compare to the state average?
Carmel elementary schools average a Scope Score of 73.2/100 — 28.4 points above the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 54.9% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 11.6% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Carmel?
Carmel has 1 ranked elementary 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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