Best High Schools in Zip Code 93922

ZIP code 93922 has two public high schools serving grades 9–12 in Carmel Unified, with 790 students total: 780 at Carmel High and 10 at Carmel Valley High. The schools’ reported results differ, but test-score data are available only for Carmel High. Its 2025–26 proficiency was above California’s in all three reported subjects: by 38 points in English language arts (87% versus 49%), 32 points in science (68% versus 36%), and 23 points in math (61% versus 38%). The clearest academic finding is Carmel High’s substantial lead over state results in every reported subject.

Carmel High stands out for its reported academics and SchoolDigger ranking: it earned five stars and ranked 74th of 2,137 statewide, in the 97th percentile. Carmel Valley High stands out for very small enrollment and high chronic absenteeism: its 2025–26 rate was 73%, 57 points above Carmel High’s 16% and 55 points above the state’s 18%. Graduation was high at both schools: 100% at Carmel High and 94% at Carmel Valley High, compared with 88% statewide. Carmel Valley High’s school-level test-score values are suppressed, so the available data do not support a test-score comparison between the two schools.

Recent results at Carmel High improved in ELA and science but declined in math from 2024–25 to 2025–26: ELA rose 5 points, science 6 points, and math fell 4 points. Its average across the three subjects rose 2 points, and its average lead over the state edged up by 1 point. SchoolDigger’s rank improved by 123 places and 6 percentile points from 2023–24. The schools also differ in student-teacher ratio: 14.3 at Carmel High versus 3.5 at Carmel Valley High (2024–25). Both reported the same income measure, free/reduced lunch eligible (FRL), for 2024–25: 15% at Carmel High and 40% at Carmel Valley High; these figures are context, not an explanation of outcomes.