Academics at Carlmont
All students file a Four-Year Plan with the Guidance Department indicating goals for post-secondary education. Students and parents (with input from teachers and Guidance Advisors) choose from a spectrum of academic challenge to meet their goals and needs.

It is common for students to combine degrees of challenge depending on their interest, aptitude, and workload. Teachers are uniformly strong at all levels.

  • College Preparatory courses are offered in Math, Foreign Language, Science, History, Government-Economics, Fine and Practical Arts, and electives.
  • Advanced Standing (AS-Honors) classes for freshman and sophomores in English, World Studies, and Chemistry and for juniors in English and Physics. These students accept a demanding academic path.
  •  Advanced Placement (AP-Honors) classes for juniors and seniors are offered in English, U.S. History, World History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Calculus, Statistics, Foreign Language, Art History and Studio Art and provide college-level work. AP classes earn additional "points" toward the grade point average (GPA), and high scores on the national AP Exam may count for college credit.
  • Proficiency or Skill Building courses are designed to improve competencies of students whose skills are below grade level in Reading and Mathematics.
  • Cañada College courses are offered on the Carlmont campus for college credit as well as high school credit through the Cañada at Carlmont program. For example, some coursegraduates_small offerings may include Oceanography, Anthropology (cultural and physical), and Philosophy.
  • Students may take courses at any community college for high school and college credit.
  • The Business Technology Academy, a "school-within-a-school" for sophomores, juniors and seniors, provides instruction in computers and computer applications.
  • Two on-site magnet programs are underway. One is in "Teaching" and the other in "Medicine and Sciences." "International Entrepreneurship" is currently in the planning stage. 
  • Ensuring Success
    Carlmont High School wants its students to reach their academic potential and offers several support services:
  • Carlmont Motivational Center (CMC) is a unique after-school tutoring and "study hall" program available to all  students, at all levels, in all classes, at no cost. Teachers and instructional assistants provide one-on-one or small group help. Free food is served at 4 p.m.
  • Carlmont offers classes for students in the Resource Specialist Program (RSP), Special Day Class (SDC) and those who are English Language Learners (ELL).
  • Carlmont's award-winning Advancement Via Individual Determination (A.V.I.D.) program provides motivational programs and support for "students in the middle" to offer additional assistance in a college preparatory path.
  • Compass is a summer transition program for 8th graders needing help in academics and study skills.
  • Student support classes in English and Math are provided for students scoring below "basic" level on the annual standardized tests.