Serving 697 students in grades 7-8, Carmel Valley Middle School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 80% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 83% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 23:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Asian), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 7-8
- Enrollment: 697 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
- Minority Enrollment: 61%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5% in CA
- Math Proficiency: 80% (Top 5%)
- Reading Proficiency: 83% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 71% (Top 5%)
- Attendance Zone: Carmel Valley Middle serves the southern part of Encinitas, CA, encompassing an attendance area of approximately 14 square miles. Most students typically have a drive of 5 to 10 minutes to reach the school, with an average distance of 2.3 miles from the school to the edge of the zone.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Carmel Valley Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Carmel Valley Middle School's student population of 697 students has declined by 22% over five school years.
The teacher population of 30 teachers has declined by 11% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 7-8
Total Students
697 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
Showing 2014–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1999
School Calendar
School Motto
Our mission is to educate our students in a safe and challenging learning environment to become life-long learners who will be resourceful, responsible, and compassionate community members.
School Rankings
Carmel Valley Middle School ranks within the top 5% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Carmel Valley Middle School is 0.70, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#225 out of 9523 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
80%
34%
Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
83%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
21:1
Showing 2014–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
35%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
14%
56%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Black
1%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
White
39%
20%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
11%
6%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)9.5%
27.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
10%
54%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
8%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carmel Valley Middle School's ranking?
Carmel Valley Middle School is ranked #225 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in California.
What schools are Carmel Valley Middle School often compared to?
Carmel Valley Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Pacific Trails Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
80% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 83% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
How many students attend Carmel Valley Middle School?
697 students attend Carmel Valley Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
39% of Carmel Valley Middle School students are White, 35% of students are Asian, 14% of students are Hispanic, 11% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Carmel Valley Middle School?
Carmel Valley Middle School has a student ration of 23:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Carmel Valley Middle School offer ?
Carmel Valley Middle School offers enrollment in grades 7-8
What school district is Carmel Valley Middle School part of?
Carmel Valley Middle School is part of San Dieguito Union High School District.
In what neighborhood is Carmel Valley Middle School located?
Carmel Valley Middle School is located in the Carmel Valley neighborhood of Encinitas, CA. There are 3 other public schools located in Carmel Valley.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
As a graduated 8th grader, I can honestly tell you middle school was a wonderful experience for not only me, but for my older siblings as well. Although some teachers are better then others, all of the teachers a amazing and will do everything to help you succeed. In my experience, typically student performing poorly in a class is due to lack of effort or not completing homework. Your grades are always reflective of how much effort you give, and even if you are struggling with a subject all of the teachers help because they genuinely want you to succeed. In 7th grade, every Thursday I attended the morning pre algebra honors help, and there was also the option of academic power hour. CVMS may not be pristine, but what school is, and you can avoid traffic by doing zero period. Good luck to all bobcats!
5 10/10/2025
Overall it's a good school. However the lunch lines and traffic is horrible, to buy lunch you have to wait half of the lunch time to get your lunch, which is ridiculous since when i was in China for six years, the lunch lines in middle schools there were three times longer, and someone cuts the line every minute, bu the line is still two times faster. It might be because in China each of the lunch lines sell only one thing. The teachers and academic programs are pretty good, and they usually don't give a lot of homework, and in most classes it's easy to get an A if you put enough effort. The main problem with this school is the amount and quality of the facilities, the bathrooms are really small, the school lacks an auditorium so they have to use the preforming arts center and gym, the track we're the teachers make us run is made of dry dirt and when you run on it a small cloud of dust comes us which could be a problem for students with asthma. I would recommend this school since it's a great school and the teachers and students are really nice (well most of them), but you should bring your own lunch and walk, take the bus, or drive a few blocks away from the school, and walk the rest of the way (Biking also works but i wouldn't recommend it since when you leave the school, the side walk is usually very crowded and you would have to get down to the road and drive against the traffic to pass students walking on the sidewalk).
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