High Schools in Carmel Unified

The Carmel Unified school district in California operates two high schools serving grades 9-12: Carmel High, a large comprehensive school, and Carmel Valley High, a very small alternative program, which present a stark contrast in performance and student experience.

Carmel High is a standout, top-performing school ranked in the top 4% of all California high schools, with a 98.5% graduation rate and student test scores well above state averages in English, math, and science. In sharp contrast, Carmel Valley High serves only about 10 students and faces significant challenges, including an extremely high chronic absenteeism rate of over 70%, which greatly impacts student outcomes.

The district's overall strength is anchored by the consistent excellence of Carmel High. A notable finding is the difference in resources: Carmel Valley High spends about 58% more per student than Carmel High, which may reflect the higher costs of its small, specialized setting rather than a direct link to academic results.