Carmel Unified: Carmel Unified schools score 20.4 points above the state average. The trajectory from grade 3 to 5 falls 8.4 points.
Carmel Unified has 4 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 65.2/100 — 20.4 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. The district spends $26,833 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 13.8%, below the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Avg Score | Schools | Exceeded | Absent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Solid 65.8/100 | 2 | 47.1% | 12.3% |
| Middle | Solid 56.4/100 | 1 | 31.2% | 10.5% |
| High | Strong 72.9/100 | 1 | 45.7% | 20.1% |
Carmel Unified's high schools average 72.9/100 — 29.2 points above the state average.
K–12 pipeline
The typical school path in Carmel Unified, top-scoring shown first.
District Analysis
Carmel Unified has 4 ranked schools with an average Scope Score of 65.2/100 — 20.4 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
Strongest level: Carmel Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 72.9.
District-wide elementary growth averages -8.4pp (state avg: -2.9pp) — a declining trend worth examining school by school.
Score range of 16.8 points — moderately consistent between schools.
District chronic absenteeism averages 13.8%, 4.1pp below the state average of 17.9%.
District suspension rate averages 1.7%, near the state average of 1.6%.
Carmel River Elementary leads the district at 73 with 54.9% exceeding standard.
How we score · Scope Score methodology
School archetypes in Carmel Unified
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Student demographics
District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data
District Funding
Carmel Unified spends $26,833 per student in current expenditures — $12,018 above the state average of $14,815.
Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020
Teacher compensation
CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25
Every school in Carmel Unified
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
Elementary Schools (2)
Carmel Unified has 2 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 65.8 — 21.0 points above the state average of 44.8. 1 of 2 elementary schools score above 70.
Growth averages -8.4pp district-wide — a declining trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring elementary school is Carmel River Elementary with a Scope Score of 73 and 54.9% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carmel River Elementary Carmel Unified High Ceiling | 54.9% | Strong 73/100 |
| 2 | Tularcitos Elementary Carmel Unified Solid Base | 39.2% | Solid 58/100 |
Middle Schools (1)
Carmel Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 56.4 — 13.8 points above the state average of 42.6.
Growth averages -4.7pp district-wide — a declining trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring middle school is Carmel Middle with a Scope Score of 56 and 31.2% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carmel Middle Carmel Unified Solid Base | 31.2% | Solid 56/100 |
High Schools (1)
Carmel Unified has 1 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 72.9 — 29.2 points above the state average of 43.7. 1 of 1 high schools score above 70.
The highest-scoring high school is Carmel High with a Scope Score of 73 and 45.7% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carmel High Carmel Unified Strong All-Around | 45.7% | Strong 73/100 |
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.
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 resources are distributed across schools within the district. Full methodology