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Average

#1056 of 1,280 schools in IA

Carlisle High School

High School · Carlisle Comm School District

430 School St, Carlisle, IA 50047

Enrollment

730

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carlisle

#4 of 4

public schools

Iowa high schools

#265 of 334

In district

#4 of 4

Carlisle Comm School District

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Carlisle High School

Carlisle High School is a regular public high school located in the heart of Carlisle, Iowa, situated in Warren County. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 730 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.1:1, students receive individual attention from the 33 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.

The academic performance at Carlisle High School is in line with room for growth; it holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks 1058th out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 18th percentile. In terms of proficiency rates across ELA/Reading, Math, and Science, students are doing well with 75% proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 67% in Math, and 73% in Science. Carlisle High School is set in a rural area near the town, offering students a close-knit community environment while still providing quality education and resources for their academic needs.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Carlisle High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Carlisle High School is 22.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Carlisle High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68%
Math vs. State Avg-8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.1 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)76%
vs. Expected-13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness5.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,562

Carlisle High School — Students at Carlisle High School score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 74.7%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
72%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
55%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
58%
ELA
68%
2025
Math
72.3%
ELA
81.5%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Carlisle High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
18th percentile in IA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

430 School St, Carlisle, IA 50047

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carlisle High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hartford Upper Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is River Woods Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carlisle Elementary School (rated 6.9/10), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carlisle, see our Carlisle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle 0.0 mi 6.9
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 High 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
Benton Community Senior High School Van Horne, IA 5.0
Boone High School Boone, IA 5.0
Solon High School Solon, IA 5.0
Keokuk High School Keokuk, IA 4.9
Clinton High School Clinton, IA 4.8
Fairfield High School Fairfield, IA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carlisle High School

What grades does Carlisle High School serve?

Carlisle High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Carlisle High School?

Carlisle High School has an enrollment of approximately 730 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Carlisle High School is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carlisle High School rank in IA?

Carlisle High School is ranked #1056 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Carlisle High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Carlisle High School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carlisle High School has 67.0% math proficiency and 74.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carlisle High School a charter school?

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

Is Carlisle High School a Title I school?

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

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

25.9% of students at Carlisle High 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
730
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.9%
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
#4 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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