Grades 9th – 12th

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 $5.8 million in college scholarships were earned last year for a class of 18 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.
• 62% of AP students achieved a qualifying score of 3+ on AP exams in 2023.

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 Physical Education, Forensic Science, Etymology, Sports Medicine, Studio Art, Choir, Journalism, Music Appreciation, Robotics, Robotics Programming, Film and 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 thirteen 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 including AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Language, AP Literature, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, AP Psychology, and AP Statistics. 

Each of these courses has a focus on developing the students’ skills of critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, collaboration, and making evidence-based arguments. These skills, coupled with the presentation and time management skills that are also required serve to prepare our students for college and career-ready work.

Students who score a three or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research exams and on any other four additional AP Exams earn the AP Capstone Diploma^™. This signifies outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills. Students who score a three or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research without the four additional AP Exams can earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.^™

Upper School Extracurricular Programming

• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Clubs: Students are required to participate in clubs, which may include:

• Athletics: Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports, including:

• College Counseling: One of the most important culminating experiences for students is the college planning and application process. Carlisle provides a comprehensive college counseling program that begins in the student’s freshmen year. Click to learn more.