Best Schools in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
19 schools · 12 Elementary · 3 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
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.
Bellaire EL Sch
Elementary · Carlisle Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Mt Holly Springs EL Sch
Elementary · Carlisle Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Mooreland EL Sch
Elementary · Carlisle Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carlisle for 2026 are Bellaire EL Sch (8.3/10), Mt Holly Springs EL Sch (6.4/10), and Mooreland EL Sch (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 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
19
11 public · 8 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$251,450
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
19
11 public · 8 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$251,450
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.3/10 despite 62% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.6 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Carlisle schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +9.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Carlisle schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Carlisle
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 11 rated schools; 19 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellaire EL Sch | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Mt Holly Springs EL Sch | 6.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Mooreland EL Sch | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Crestview EL Sch | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Middlesex EL Sch | 6.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Carlisle Area HS | 5.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Lamberton MS | 5.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Wilson MS | 5.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Hamilton EL Sch | 4.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Letort EL Sch | 4.2 / 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
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $77,892
- Median home value
- $251,450
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
12% 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
Pennsylvania rank
#320 of 424
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$78k
98% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
17
Carlisle Area SD runs 91% of Carlisle's public schools
Carlisle touches 2 districts, but Carlisle Area SD is the one most addresses actually attend.
Carlisle Area SD accounts for 10 of 11 public schools (91%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 11 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.1 to 8.3 — the spread is inside Carlisle, not a citywide average.
- Carlisle Area SD10 public · 91%
- Cumberland Valley SD1 public · 9%
About Schools in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle's public school system covers 11 ranked schools with an average score of 5.6 out of 10 — a moderate baseline that masks real variation across grade levels. Only 2 schools, or 18% of the district's ranked institutions, reach the 7-plus threshold, so the strongest options are concentrated rather than spread evenly. Parents who do their homework here can find meaningful quality at the top end; those who don't may land in schools performing closer to the district average.
The elementary tier is where Carlisle delivers its clearest wins. Bellaire Elementary School leads the city at 7.9 out of 10 — the highest score in the district and one worth prioritizing if attendance boundaries allow. Hamilton Elementary follows closely at 7.7, making these two schools the strongest entry points in the system. Middlesex Elementary scores 6.4, still above the citywide average, giving families with younger children a reasonable range of solid options to consider.
The picture shifts heading into middle and high school. Lamberton Middle School scores 6.2 — above the 5.6 city average, but a step down from the elementary highs. Carlisle Area High School comes in at 6.0, landing right at the district mean. Neither school is a liability, but parents accustomed to strong elementary-level performance should expect a flatter trajectory at the secondary level. The gap between the top elementary scores and the high school score is nearly two full points — a meaningful difference in a 10-point system.
For families relocating to Carlisle, the practical priority is securing access to Bellaire or Hamilton at the elementary level, as both schools substantially outperform the rest of the district. If secondary schools are the deciding factor, Carlisle Area High School sits at the district average, so parents should weigh program depth, extracurricular offerings, and class size alongside the raw score. With 11 ranked schools and performance ranging from well above average to below it, knowing the attendance zone before signing a lease matters here.
Elementary Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 397 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 215 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | 388 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 4 | 546 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 5 | 393 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 6 | 368 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.3 | ||
| 7 | 242 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.2 | ||
| 8 | 201 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.1 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 112 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Arche Classical AcademyPrivate 72 students · Pre-K–7th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 12 elementary schools in Carlisle
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 549 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 | ||
| 2 | 576 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Allen Christian Day SchoolPrivate 34 students · 2nd–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,581 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | River Rock Academy-CarlislePrivate 8 students · 8th–11th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New StoryPrivate 114 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | Blue Ridge Mennonite SchoolPrivate 50 students · Kindergarten–10th | Not Rated |
Schools in Carlisle
Carlisle, Pennsylvania · 19 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$77,892
Median Home Value
$251,450
Median Rent
$1,093/mo
Population
61,978
College Educated
35%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Community Profile
Carlisle has a median household income of $77,892. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,450, with a median rent of $1,093/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 12
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
Other Major Cities in Pennsylvania
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, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
Carlisle has 19 schools, including 11 public and 8 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carlisle is 5.7 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, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Carlisle on MySchoolScout is Bellaire EL Sch with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carlisle on MySchoolScout is Bellaire EL Sch with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Carlisle on MySchoolScout is Lamberton MS with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best high school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Carlisle on MySchoolScout is Carlisle Area HS with a composite score of 5.8/10.
How many school districts serve Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
Carlisle is served by 2 school districts: Carlisle Area Sd, Cumberland Valley Sd.
What is the education level in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 35% of adults in Carlisle have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Carlisle is approximately $77,892 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Carlisle has 8 private schools alongside 11 public schools. The top-rated private school is New Story with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carlisle is 12.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
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, Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.