Upper School
9th - 12th Grade
Carlisle provides a safe and secure campus where every student has the opportunity to achieve at their highest level and to fully unlock the potential that lies within. Highly qualified teachers help Carlisle’s Upper School students learn to look at the world from different perspectives and to use varied methodologies to learn, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information. Through our programs, students learn to be confident leaders of tomorrow with strong critical thinking skills.
- 100% of the graduating class is accepted to a 4-year college/university.
- Our top Upper School students perform in the 99th percentile on the SAT.
- Over $10 million in college scholarships were earned last year for a class of 23 seniors.
- 12:1 Student/Teacher Ratio
- Carlisle School is an AP Capstone Diploma school — an innovative program wherein students develop research, collaboration, and communication skills.
- 67% of AP students achieved a qualifying score of 3+ on AP exams in 2025.
- 14 Students earned AP Distinctions in 2025.
- 6 Students earned the AP Capstone Diploma 2025.
Academics
Upper School students participate in a rigorous and relevant college preparatory curriculum, complete with Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement, and Honors courses. Students choose from a wide variety of interesting electives, including Holocaust Literature, World Religions, Civics & the Responsible Citizen, The Literature of Conflict, Sports Medicine, Studio Art, Journalism, Choir, Film & Literature Analysis, and more. Since the first graduating class in 1974, 100% of Carlisle graduates have been accepted to a four-year college or university.
Carlisle offers 15 AP courses and is one of approximately 1,800 schools worldwide to implement the AP Capstone™ Diploma program, which allows students to develop the skills for college success. AP Capstone is based on two yearlong courses — AP Seminar and AP Research, and through the completion of the courses, Carlisle School students can achieve the AP Capstone Diploma or the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
Courses include AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Euro, AP Language, AP Literature, AP Environmental Science, AP Research, AP Government, AP Psychology, AP Seminar, AP Statistics, AP Human Geography, and AP U.S. History.
Programs
Mentoring
The Carlisle School Mentoring Program pairs each Lower School student with an Upper School student, and together they build a lasting friendship as they work together on various service activities throughout the year. Mentoring is a favorite activity not only for the students but also for the faculty and parents of Carlisle students.
Club Options:
Mental Wellness CHILL Honor Council Faith & Friendship Club Student Council Association Zip Zap Zop Theater Group Photography Club Debate Club Card Game Club Swim Club Dungeons & Dragons Club Carlisle Drum Line Christians of Carlisle Baking Club Morgan's Message Club Diversity Appreciation Committee (DAC) Spanish Club Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) The Craft of Poetry Club
Community Service
Our students are expected to be involved in school life and in their communities. Community service is built into the curriculum with many opportunities to serve through civic and special-interest clubs. We believe that civic-mindedness is a valuable trait in all our students, so we require Upper School students to participate in a minimum of 21 hours of service each year. Seniors must complete a senior project that involves extensive involvement in an internship or community service.
College Counseling
Athletics
Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports, including: - Baseball (Boys) - Basketball (Boys and Girls) - BASS Fishing - Cross Country (Boys and Girls) - Golf (Boys and Girls) - Soccer (Boys and Girls) - Tennis (Boys and Girls) - Volleyball (Girls)
Character. Intellect. Leadership.
Carlisle School is an independent college preparatory school empowering students to achieve their personal best by fostering a community of character, intellect, and leadership.