Carmel High School
3600 Ocean Ave., Carmel (831) 624-1821, carmelunified.org
U.S. News and World Report ranked Carmel High School 31 out of 650 California schools (private, public and otherwise). That’s pretty darn good. So good it’s unsurprising that they’re also the best school in the county. That’s despite having to educate nearly 900 teenagers and going against high-performing private schools like Stevenson and York, which enroll around 600 and 225 kids, respectively. CUSD Superintendent Barbara Dill-Varga says their winning formula comes from community support and good teachers. Dill-Varga says Carmel High teachers can stand toe-to-toe with any district’s best teacher: “They’re dedicated and put in the hours,” she says.