Carmel Valley Middle School

Posted: November 22, 2025

Coming from a former student, PLEASE do not send your kids here. I went here for a year and it was by far the worst experience I've had among any of the schools I've attended. During the year I was there, multiple teachers made hateful, sometimes even racist and homophobic comments towards students in my classes, admin did virtually nothing about people's concerns, and the quality of education and food was very poor.

I specifically remember an incident in which there were threats made and admin assured everyone that nothing was wrong only for the school to go on lockdown a few days later. The police showed up to search everyone and parents were given zero communication for upwards of an hour about the wellbeing of their kids. This happened at the end of the day and I don't think they let anybody go until around 5pm, and my mom was waiting outside for over an hour with no idea why I wasn't leaving.

PE Class was also bad, I remember coming home from PE class often with a bruised spine because the teachers had us doing upwards of 50 curl-ups on the concrete pavement every class, and we spent maybe 30 minutes/class playing actual PE games. In general I often found the content I was learning across all classes to be too easy and there was a lack of challenging work, even in honors classes.

The campus security/staff seemed overly focused on the wrong issues while letting bigger things slide (For example, I got punished multiple times using my phone for legitimate reasons, and they made having no phones a huge deal. On occasion, I also saw staff members looking through the cracks of occupied bathroom stalls to check if people were using their phones.

Having said all this, it's been a couple years since my time here, and I hope that with the changes in admin over time, things have changed, but from my experience there, your kid is infinitely better off at Pacific Trails.

Posted: November 22, 2025

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Posted: April 22, 2025

I go here. I hate it. Don't come here please. The teachers could not care less about us. I'm not just saying this because I go here, I truly think that this school is awful. Your kid is far better off at Pacific trails.

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Posted: December 16, 2022

Horrible Victoria King is the most disgusting vile creature. All staff working in administration should be fired.

Posted: December 16, 2022

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Posted: February 22, 2022

This school was one of the best schools I have ever been to. I am currently in 8th grade and I attend this school. I like the fact that students now get a club called No Place For Hate that helps out with the bullying much more and spreads more kindness and peace around the school. I also like how the teachers are very nice and help you whenever you have a question on the homework or if you need help understanding a concept. Besides the two schools that only focus on education and encourage judgemental behavior and bullying, this school focuses on all the necessities of learning, friendship, dealing with stress, and anxiety. I deeply recommend that you come to this school and learn how to be a better person for this current school and your future high school. In my personal experience, I had no regrets about coming and I really enjoy the friendship and company here!

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Posted: May 2, 2018

Absolutely not. Principal makes excuses as to why the dress code is not enforced. Girls wear shorts and skirts short enough to see their rear end, shirts with no bras, tube tops and shirts that show off more than 2 inches of the midriff. Not a good message to be sending to the students.

Posted: May 2, 2018

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Posted: May 2, 2018

I wish I would have sent my daughter to Pacific Trails. I am disappointed in the leadership, the lack of challenging homework and the effectiveness of the teaching staff. To go from a school like Ocean Air where the entire office staff is courteous and kind to this school where I feel uncomfortable asking the front office staff a question, is quite disheartening.

Posted: May 2, 2018

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Posted: October 10, 2016

I went here for the class of '16 and it was a really fun expirience but there are a lot of kids who use drugs and it's not super hands on but the drama department and the history and english departments are amazing! I had a amazing time! Wouldn't have traded it for the world!

Posted: October 15, 2014

Your kid is a number and the school moves them through the assembly line as fast as possible. Teacher involvement is minimal, administrators are hands off.

Posted: June 5, 2014

I love this school - it is big - but the kids get a great education.

Posted: May 30, 2014

I am a former student of CVMS, and I now attend Torrey Pines High School. One of the reasons I chose to attend CVMS over Earl Warren was its proximity to my house and its advanced math classes. When I was attending, there was a program for students who were way ahead in math to take a couple of classes at Torrey Pines High School. I didn't end up getting that far in math at CVMS, but it was good to know that I had options. Now I hear that they even opened up an Algebra II/Trig class right there at CVMS with ten or so students, and it amazes me that so many kids are getting that far ahead. Now that I am Torrey Pines, I am completing Multivariable calculus, and it's great to know that I've been challenged and not forced to sit around in a class I don't belong. CVMS is far from perfect, but given that it is a public school with comparable or even superior academic opportunities to those at nearby private schools, this school is definitely a great option.

Posted: September 14, 2013

I am in Carmel Valley Middle School and I am a 2013 - 2014 7th grader. I love this school, it is above 5 stars (Excellent). I recommend people to go to it, it's fabulous.

Posted: August 16, 2013

Where to start. How about overcrowding? Carpool is a nightmare with rude parents cutting in line, rude kids sauntering across the street against the red light so traffic can't move- it's gridlock. Same goes for the classrooms, seriously overcrowded. The campus is dirty, the track in poor shape, the field unkempt. The parents are smug about test scores, but all that rote learning comes with a price. My kids were aware of rampant cheating; the bullying was intense and the partying and sexual activity (just ask anyone about the infamous parties and Highlands shopping center shenanigans) were outrageous. One of my kids was failing a class due to being overwhelmed with busy work and the teacher never contacted me till it was almost too late. Test scores aren't everything, parents, and Carmel Valley is not the "be all and end all." Your child would be much better off at a 6-9 inclusive school with fewer students and less ridiculous pressure.

Posted: June 27, 2013

We moved to the Carmel Valley area specifically so that my sons could eventually attend Canyon Crest Academy. Carmel Valley Middle School turned out to be the added benefit as they received a real wake-up call on what it would take to be a top student at CCA or Torrey Pines HS. This is an area where parents truly put education first, and CVMS is competitive with lots of opportunities to take advanced classes. The proof is in the results, as the students who rise to the occasion will graduate HS with GPAs well over 4.0 and enough AP classes to skip entire semesters in college. The music program at the school is also stellar, virtually everyone runs (excellent mind-body training--the Boys and Girls Club is right next door with a very good track and other after school programs), and CVMS is one of the few in the district to have bus service. My sons are now attending USC, and I thank CVMS for providing them the groundwork necessary to have been among the 5% of applicants selected. If your goal is for your child to attend a highly selective university, you need a middle school like CVMS. Added note--San Diegiuto is probably the best run school district in CA, of which CVMS is part.

Posted: May 15, 2013

CVMS is unique, in that it attempts to provide a transition to the academic demands and social confusion of High School. For most kids, entering 7th grade, is a confusing change. Our sons left an Elementary school with 60 kids in their grade to middle school with 700 plus kids in their grade. They are expected to be responsible for their academics and are held accountable for same. The Aeries program is an ongoing account of their progress and a boon to helpful parents. How the teachers are able to handle this work load is an example of their commitment to the educational process. They must work an 80 hour + week. Wow! Great, dedicated teachers working so hard with children from all kinds of cultural, academic backgrounds. What a challenge! Kids are adaptable and love their caring, and hardworking teachers. Our sons are on different learning levels and are treated fairly and personably by the staff at this school. This is education at its best! One can nitpick some of the perceived shortcomings of CVMS, but, all in all, it is a superlative educational environment for young people at this stage of their march to becoming responsible adult members of society.

Posted: March 8, 2013

I'm so glad to choose this school as a choice for my son. I was initially looking for a private school and then though of giving CVMS a try based on high ratings and friends' recommendations. I would say school worked out great for my son. There is a lot of homework but my son is able to handle it with no help. There are lots of choices based on student skill set. I'm very satisfied with CVMS.

Posted: January 10, 2013

I am disappointed in this school. We moved here because of the great reviews, but the school is overwhelming and way too big for any effective discipline. My daughter is constantly being bullied and fortunately has found a safe haven in the library. I have also been shocked by the inappropriate language she has learned there. I am hoping to pull her from the school. The teachers do not have time to help the kids. It is sad.