Welcome to the Carlisle Community Schools Website

      The 2007-08 school year marks a major change in grade configuration, instructional delivery, and district focus.  Our recent growth has necessitated great emphasis on planning and building to accommodate hundreds of new students over the last five years.  Patrons have assisted in our efforts every step of the way.  For the first time in a number of years our growth was not greater than the year before.  However the awarding of a state grant to start pre-school programming still means the district is serving over 100 more students than a year ago.

            The new grade configuration with Pre-K-3 in Carlisle and 4-5 at Hartford Upper Elementary has all children being taught in a traditional self-contained classroom setting.  This instructional delivery model cuts down on transition times in Hartford and all K-5 staff participate in common professional development opportunities geared at best practices in elementary education.

            The opening of the new Carlisle Middle School allows for all 6th-8th graders to have their own learning facility away from the high school environment.  The state of the art facility has outstanding security and energy features.  Preliminary estimates forecast savings of $24,000 annually in energy costs.  In December, Mid-American Energy will present a check for $51,400 to the school board as an incentive for the planning and cost-saving features built into this facility. 

            The high school will become just that: a 9-12 building.  By moving nearly 275 students out of that facility and into the middle school, opportunities for extra room and programming became available.  Our next facilities challenge will be to remodel the high school as soon as money becomes available.  Hartford is also in need of additional classroom space within three years. 

            With our emphasis on building complete for the time being, there is still much to do.  Right now we have committees in place looking at student achievement efforts and assisting in setting goal recommendations for our school board.  Another committee is examining our transportation issues now and into the future.  Teachers continue on rigorous professional development initiatives aimed at improving our student academic achievement performances.

            Very soon we’ll start an internal security audit.  While research tells us school buildings are the very safest places for students, we know we must always remain vigilant.  We’ll use outside resources as well as local law enforcement and emergency providers to assist in our process. 

            Even with our rapid growth and the shrinking distance to the metro, Carlisle continues to strive for the small-town, personal approach so many seek.  Thank you for visiting our site and always feel free to comment or visit us.

Carlisle, IA 50047

email:  tom.lane@carlisle.k12.ia.us