Carlmont High

Carlmont High is a large, top-performing public high school serving approximately 2,360 students in grades 9-12 in the affluent community of Belmont, California, as part of the Sequoia Union High district.

The school consistently ranks among the very best in the state, placing in the 97th percentile for the 2024-2025 year, with exceptional graduation rates (98.1%) and very low chronic absenteeism (10.8%). Its academic proficiency, such as 72% in math, far exceeds that of other large schools in its own district like Sequoia High and neighboring schools such as Hillsdale High. Carlmont achieves these outstanding results with moderate per-student spending, demonstrating efficient operations, and it shows particular strength in supporting African American and Special Education student subgroups.

While Carlmont's performance is remarkably consistent, a look at the wider Sequoia Union High district reveals a stark contrast, with alternative schools like Redwood High serving very different student needs. Compared to nearby charter options, Carlmont performs at a similar elite level to Design Technical High but significantly higher than Summit Preparatory Charter High. Parents should note that while the school excels with nearly all student groups, its rankings for English Language Learners and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, though still strong, are its lowest, indicating areas where focused support may be beneficial.