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Average

#440 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 34% in state

Carlisle Elementary School

Elementary School · Carlisle Comm School District

430 School St, Carlisle, IA 50047

Enrollment

725

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carlisle

#2 of 4

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#273 of 662

In district

#2 of 4

Carlisle Comm School District

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Carlisle Elementary School

Carlisle Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural area near the town of Carlisle, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through third grade, the school has an enrollment of 725 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 52 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Carlisle Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and is ranked 54th percentile among Iowa schools, placing it at #593 out of 1288 total schools in the state.

In terms of proficiency rates, 65% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while a higher percentage, 76%, meet or exceed standards in Math. Carlisle Elementary focuses on providing foundational skills and fostering early learning development for its young students. While there is room for academic growth, the school's strong math scores indicate a solid curriculum that supports student achievement.

The setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere where children can thrive in a rural environment.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Carlisle Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.0Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected-3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,562

Carlisle Elementary School — Students at Carlisle Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.8%
School
State
76.7%
ELA Proficiency 64.9%
School
State
69.1%

Based on 8 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
82%
ELA
78.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.

How Carlisle Elementary School Compares

See how Carlisle Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
66th percentile in IA
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers

Location

430 School St, Carlisle, IA 50047

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carlisle Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hartford Upper Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 5.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is River Woods Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Willard Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Carlisle, see our Carlisle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Carlisle High School Carlisle 0.0 mi 5.0
Carlisle Middle School Carlisle 0.6 mi 6.5
Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill 5.8 mi 6.0
Hartford Upper Elementary Carlisle 5.0 mi 7.2
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines 6.4 mi 5.4
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 6.2 mi 7.1
Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill 7.3 mi 5.1
Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill 7.4 mi 4.6
Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill 7.5 mi 5.2
Jackson Elementary School Des Moines 6.4 mi 4.7
Willard Elementary School Des Moines 7.4 mi 6.3
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 6.4 mi 6.3
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 6.4 mi 5.0
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines 8.1 mi 4.6
Weeks Middle School Des Moines 7.0 mi 4.2
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 8.4 mi 5.1
Clay Elementary Altoona 8.7 mi 4.9
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 8.7 mi 4.0
Howe Elementary Des Moines 7.3 mi 5.7
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 6.8 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50047 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,345

Median Home Value

$223,400

Median Rent

$1,144/mo

Population

6,625

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

82.5%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

33.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carlisle Elementary School 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.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Carver Elementary School Dubuque, IA 6.9
Liberty Elementary School Sioux City, IA 6.9
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo, IA 6.9
Van Meter Elementary School Van Meter, IA 6.9
Webster Elementary School Urbandale, IA 6.9
West Lyon Elementary School Inwood, IA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carlisle Elementary School

What grades does Carlisle Elementary School serve?

Carlisle Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Carlisle Elementary School?

Carlisle Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 725 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carlisle Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Carlisle Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carlisle Elementary School rank in IA?

Carlisle Elementary School is ranked #440 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Carlisle Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Carlisle Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Carlisle Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carlisle Elementary School has 75.8% math proficiency and 64.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carlisle Elementary School a charter school?

No, Carlisle Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Carlisle Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Carlisle Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carlisle Elementary School?

32.4% of students at Carlisle Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (639/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carlisle). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
725
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Warren County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Carlisle Comm School District
District Enrollment
2,296
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,218
District Rank
#2 of 4

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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