Best Schools in Carlisle, Iowa
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Carlisle?
Use this page to compare every school in Carlisle by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Carlisle Elementary School
Elementary · Carlisle Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hartford Upper Elementary
Elementary · Carlisle Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carlisle Middle School
Middle · Carlisle Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carlisle for 2026 are Carlisle Elementary School (6.8/10), Hartford Upper Elementary (6.3/10), and Carlisle Middle School (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$223,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$223,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Carlisle
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlisle Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Hartford Upper Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Carlisle Middle School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Carlisle High School | 4.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $101,345
- Median home value
- $223,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Carlisle compares
Iowa rank
#127 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$101k
133% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Carlisle, Iowa
Carlisle, Iowa is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Carlisle show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Carlisle is Carlisle Elementary School with a composite score of 6.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carlisle is served by 1 school district: Carlisle Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 2,296 students.
Carlisle's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $101,345. The poverty rate in the area is 9.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 725 students · Pre-K–3rd | 6.8 |
| 2 | 310 students · 4th–5th | 6.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 531 students · 6th–8th | 6.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 730 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
Schools in Carlisle
Carlisle, Iowa · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$101,345
Median Home Value
$223,400
Median Rent
$1,144/mo
Population
6,625
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Community Profile
Carlisle has a median household income of $101,345. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,400, with a median rent of $1,144/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Carlisle, Iowa
How many schools are in Carlisle, Iowa?
Carlisle has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carlisle, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carlisle is 6.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Carlisle, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Carlisle on MySchoolScout is Carlisle Elementary School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carlisle, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carlisle on MySchoolScout is Carlisle Elementary School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Carlisle, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Carlisle on MySchoolScout is Carlisle Middle School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best high school in Carlisle, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Carlisle on MySchoolScout is Carlisle High School with a composite score of 4.8/10.
How many school districts serve Carlisle, Iowa?
Carlisle is served by 1 school district: Carlisle Comm School District.
What is the education level in Carlisle, Iowa?
According to Census data, 26% of adults in Carlisle have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carlisle, Iowa?
The median household income in Carlisle is approximately $101,345 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carlisle, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carlisle is 16.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carlisle, Iowa?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.