Average
#1787 of 2,842 schools in PA
Carlisle Area HS
High School · Carlisle Area SD
540 W. North St., Carlisle, PA 17013
Enrollment
1,581
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,581
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carlisle
#4 of 11
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#348 of 641
In district
#3 of 10
Carlisle Area SD
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Carlisle Area HS
Carlisle Area High School serves 1,581 students in grades 9-12 in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. With 110 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. Academically, Carlisle Area High School shows mixed performance, with 67% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while mathematics presents room for growth with 38% of students meeting proficiency standards.
The school ranks in the 51st percentile among Pennsylvania high schools, positioning it in the middle range of the state's educational landscape. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $65,906 and 35% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a poverty rate of 13%, the school serves students from varied economic backgrounds, creating opportunities for rich peer interactions and community connections.
Located on West North Street in Carlisle, the school sits in a small city environment that combines the benefits of urban amenities with a more intimate community feel. The surrounding ZIP code area is home to nearly 37,000 residents, with median home values around $209,200, reflecting a stable residential community that values education and long-term investment in the area.
Score Breakdown
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Carlisle Area HS — Students at Carlisle Area HS score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.5/10.
How Carlisle Area HS Compares
See how Carlisle Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 70% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 75% (2021).
Location
540 W. North St., Carlisle, PA 17013
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carlisle Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. YELLOW BREECHES EDUCATIONAL CENTER (rated 7.9/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bellaire El Sch (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hamilton El Sch (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carlisle, see our Carlisle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH Carlisle | 0.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Wilson MS Carlisle | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| MERAKEY AUTISM CENTER CARLISLE Carlisle | 0.3 mi | — |
| DICKINSON COLLEGE CHILDREN'S CENTER Carlisle | 0.4 mi | — |
| Bellaire El Sch Carlisle | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Mooreland El Sch Carlisle | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Crestview El Sch Carlisle | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Hamilton El Sch Carlisle | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Letort El Sch Carlisle | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Lamberton MS Carlisle | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Carlisle | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| RIVER ROCK ACADEMY-CARLISLE Carlisle | 2.9 mi | — |
| W.G. Rice El Sch Mount Holly Springs | 5.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Middlesex El Sch Carlisle | 4.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Yellow Breeches MS Boiling Springs | 5.2 mi | 6.6 |
| YELLOW BREECHES EDUCATIONAL CENTER Carlisle | 4.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Boiling Springs HS Boiling Springs | 5.3 mi | 6.0 |
| North Dickinson El Sch Carlisle | 5.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Iron Forge El Sch Boiling Springs | 5.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Mt Holly Springs El Sch Carlisle | 6.3 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17013 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,150
Median Home Value
$221,800
Median Rent
$1,018/mo
Population
37,738
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
61.6%
Avg Commute
20.5 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carlisle Area HS has a median household income of $68,150. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,800, with a median rent of $1,018/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Owen J Roberts HS Pottstown, PA | 5.8 |
| Pleasant Valley HS Brodheadsville, PA | 5.8 |
| Shaler Area HS Pittsburgh, PA | 5.8 |
| Souderton Area HS Souderton, PA | 5.8 |
| South Western SHS Hanover, PA | 5.8 |
| Stroudsburg HS Stroudsburg, PA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carlisle Area HS
What grades does Carlisle Area HS serve?
Carlisle Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Carlisle Area HS?
Carlisle Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 1,581 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carlisle Area HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Carlisle Area HS is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carlisle Area HS rank in PA?
Carlisle Area HS is ranked #1787 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Carlisle Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Carlisle Area HS has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Area HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carlisle Area HS has 58.2% math proficiency and 74.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carlisle Area HS a charter school?
No, Carlisle Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carlisle Area HS a Title I school?
No, Carlisle Area HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carlisle Area HS?
44.5% of students at Carlisle Area HS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carlisle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,581
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 110
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Cumberland County
- Phone
- (717) 240-6800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carlisle Area SD- District Enrollment
- 5,164
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,289
- District Rank
- #3 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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