Carmel schools guide: Carmel Unified, Carmel High & Stevenson
For families moving to the Peninsula, schools often decide the neighborhood. Here’s how Carmel Unified is set up, where Stevenson fits, and how to confirm which district a home is in before you buy.
By Jonathan Balog, Broker Associate, Compass · Carmel-by-the-Sea · Facts checked Oct 24, 2026
The short version: Carmel Unified School District (CUSD) spans Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, and Big Sur. It has three elementary schools (Carmel River, Tularcitos, Captain Cooper), one middle school (Carmel Middle), one comprehensive high school (Carmel High), and a continuation high school (Carmel Valley High). Stevenson School is a private Pre-K–12 school: Pre-K–8 on its Carmel campus and grades 9–12, boarding and day, in Pebble Beach. Attendance at CUSD depends on residency, so check the address.
Elementary schools
Carmel River, Tularcitos, Captain Cooper.
Middle school
Carmel Middle School.
Comprehensive high
Carmel High, plus Carmel Valley High (continuation).
Stevenson
Private; Carmel and Pebble Beach campuses.
Carmel Unified School District schools
Addresses are from the district’s school directory. Use the district site for calendars, bell schedules, and programs.
Carmel River School
2770 15th Ave., Carmel. One of three CUSD elementary schools.
- Elementary
Tularcitos Elementary School
35 Ford Road, Carmel Valley.
- Elementary
Captain Cooper Elementary
46501 Highway 1, Big Sur.
- Elementary
Carmel Middle School
4380 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. The district’s one middle school, which shares its address with the district office.
- Grades 6–8
Carmel High School
3600 Ocean Ave., Carmel. CUSD’s one comprehensive high school.
- Grades 9–12
- Comprehensive
Carmel Valley High School
27335 Schulte Rd., Carmel. CUSD’s continuation high school.
- Continuation
Early years. The district also runs the Carmel Child Development Center (preschool, TK, and before/after-school programs) and Carmel Adult School.
How to confirm a home is in Carmel Unified
Enrollment in any CUSD school depends on residency, so the address matters more than the town name on the listing.
Check the tax bill
The district says to look for “Carmel Unified Series” on the property tax bill.
Use the district map
CUSD offers a Google Earth boundary overlay: if the address falls inside the purple area, it’s in the district.
Ask about the elementary school
To find which elementary school serves an address, the district asks you to contact Student Services at (831) 624-1546, ext. 2081, with the specific address.
Then enroll
Complete a residency affidavit with three proof-of-residency documents, then register online. Registration for 2026–27 is open.
Stevenson School: two campuses
Stevenson is an independent, coeducational Pre-K–12 boarding and day school founded in 1952.
Carmel Campus
24800 Dolores Street, Carmel. Day students in Pre-K through grade 8.
- Pre-K–8
- Day
Pebble Beach Campus
3152 Forest Lake Road, Pebble Beach. The Upper Division has both boarding and day students. Stevenson’s 2025–26 school profile lists a student-to-teacher ratio of 8 to 1 and WASC accreditation through June 2031.
The school asks visitors who need Pebble Beach gate access to contact it before visiting.
- Grades 9–12
- Boarding + day
How schools shape where families buy
For relocating families, the school question usually narrows the map before price does. Carmel Unified covers Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Pebble Beach, and Big Sur, but district lines don’t always follow the name on a listing, so I confirm the district for any home a family is serious about.
If Stevenson is the plan, the commute between its two campuses and your home is worth mapping before you choose a neighborhood. Buying for schools? My guide to buying a home in Carmel covers how to check the district for an address.
Carmel homesCarmel market statsCarmel Valley homesCarmel-by-the-Sea homesCarmel-by-the-Sea market statsPebble Beach homesPebble Beach market stats
Moving here with kids?
Tell me the grades and schools you’re considering, and I’ll focus your search on homes that fit.
Before you rely on this
- School assignments and boundaries can change. Confirm a specific address with CUSD Student Services before you buy.
- I don’t quote test scores or rankings here. See the California School Dashboard and the schools themselves for current data.
- Private school admission and tuition are set by each school. Contact Stevenson admissions directly.
- This page is a local guide, not school or legal advice.
Carmel schools: quick questions
What schools are in Carmel Unified School District?
Carmel River, Tularcitos, and Captain Cooper elementary schools; Carmel Middle School; Carmel High School; and Carmel Valley High School, a continuation high school. The district also runs the Carmel Child Development Center and Carmel Adult School.
What areas does Carmel Unified School District cover?
The district says it spans Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, and Big Sur. Confirm a specific address with the district before you buy.
How do I know if a house is in Carmel Unified?
Check the property tax bill for “Carmel Unified Series,” or use the district’s Google Earth boundary map. For the elementary school assignment, contact CUSD Student Services at (831) 624-1546, ext. 2081.
Where is Carmel High School?
3600 Ocean Ave., Carmel, CA 93923.
How many high schools does Carmel Unified have?
One comprehensive high school, Carmel High, plus Carmel Valley High School, a continuation high school.
How do I enroll my child in Carmel Unified?
Establish residency with a residency affidavit and three proof-of-residency documents, provide birth and immunization records for new students, then complete online registration in Aeries. The district’s enrollment page lists each step.
Where can I find the Carmel Unified school calendar?
On the district website, carmelunified.org.
Is Stevenson School a boarding school?
Yes, for grades 9–12. Stevenson’s Pebble Beach campus has boarding and day students, and its Carmel campus serves Pre-K–8 day students.
Where is Stevenson School?
The Carmel campus (Pre-K–8) is at 24800 Dolores Street, Carmel. The Pebble Beach campus (grades 9–12) is at 3152 Forest Lake Road, Pebble Beach.
Is Stevenson School public or private?
Private. Stevenson is an independent, coeducational Pre-K–12 boarding and day school founded in 1952.
Get The Balog Report.
Peninsula market notes, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach listings worth a look, and the practical local tips I share with clients between showings.
Want a sample? Read the latest issue. Planning a move? Get in touch.
The next issue of The Balog Report will land in your inbox. Can’t wait? Read the latest issue.