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Downtown carlisle, kyPhoto: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0
C
Schools in Carlisle · Nicholas County School District

Carlisle’s public schools score below 72% of Kentucky districts on tests and graduation

Reading proficiency in Carlisle’s districts is 37%, below the Kentucky average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Carlisle, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kentucky, not nationally.

≈could be anywhere from D to B+K–12Where will my kid go?

From Kentucky state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
37%
▼ 8 pts vs KY 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▼ 5 pts vs KY 38%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▼ 1–3 pts vs KY 91%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.7K
▼ 21% vs KY $14.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.9
KY 15.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
1,080 students on the public path
In brief

Carlisle’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 207 Kentucky towns with household incomes within a quarter of Carlisle’s, its schools beat 23%, lower than their 28% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 45% and 38% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky (the state reports Carlisle’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,695 per student, against $14,752 across Kentucky (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Nicholas County High School. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Carlisle’s grade

C Test scoresC Graduation

C: better than 28% of Kentucky school districts. Graduation is above the Kentucky average; test scores are below it.

Kentucky school districts we grade (172)Better than 28%
Lower resultsHigher results
Kentucky towns with similar household incomes (207)Better than 23%
DB+A rough placement. Ordinary sampling error in 543 test results and a graduating class of 76 could put Carlisle anywhere from D to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Carlisle’s students in the tested grades sat them (543 in math, 543 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carlisle, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–6Nicholas County Elementary SchoolNicholas County School DistrictC
7–12Nicholas County High SchoolNicholas County School DistrictC+

Carlisle’s public schools are run by Nicholas County School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Nicholas County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 1,080 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 17.9 per teacher (KY 15.4)
$11,695KY $14,752 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading37%
State average 44.7% · 543 students tested
Math33%
State average 37.8% · 543 students tested

Carlisle vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Kentucky towns that share Carlisle’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CarlisleCNicholas County

Every school in Carlisle

2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kentucky’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Carlisleby address
Nicholas County Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
C
645 students18:1Rate it →
Nicholas County High School
High · Grades 7–12
C+
435 students18:1Rate it →

Questions about Carlisle’s schools

Are Carlisle’s schools good?

On Kentucky’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Carlisle children attend score below 72% of Kentucky’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 23%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Carlisle in?

Nicholas County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,080 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

What is Carlisle’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Nicholas County School District graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky.

How much does Carlisle spend per student?

$11,695 in Nicholas County School District (FY2024), against $14,752 across Kentucky. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Carlisle families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carlisle → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Kentucky. Stars are from neighbors.