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Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Preschool, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction
Carlisle School is an independent college preparatory day school in Axton, Virginia, serving Pre-K through 12 with a campus of about 340 students. The school offers a bespoke curriculum alongside Advanced Placement and Honors courses, including 15 AP offerings and the AP Capstone Diploma program. Across divisions, Carlisle emphasizes hands-on, research-based learning and real-world applications, with a strong Upper School focus on Dual Enrollment and rigorous college preparation. The campus features a STEAM laboratory for Preschool through Fifth Grade and technology-enabled classrooms equipped with iPads and Apple TVs, plus a full-time counselor, on-site nurse, and a School Resource Officer for safety. World languages are taught through immersion in Early Childhood, with Spanish integrated in the Lower School. Notable programs include a robust arts and athletics culture, a Mentorship Program, and a track record of graduates gaining admission to four-year colleges. The school emphasizes class sizes and character development across programs.
Carlisle School has 285 pupils, typical class sizes of 11, instruction in English.
Location
The school is located at 300 Carlisle Rd., Axton, VA 24054, in the Martinsville area of Virginia, United States. The rural campus sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and serves students from southwestern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. The nearest airport for travel is Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Counseling and Advising Program provides testing and personal guidance for preschool through 12. For international students, residential life support is provided by the Director of Residential Life and the International Program Coordinator, with options to live with host families or in on-campus houses.
Country affiliation
United States
School day structure
Classes begin at 8:05 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Lunch is from 11:05 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. Pick-Up After Hours is by 3:15 p.m.
Bus service
School-provided transportation is available; all students are required to ride the bus.
Fees
Application and Enrollment Fees
- Application Fee: USD 85. Required for all new students; includes testing fee if applicable. - Enrollment Fee: USD 200. Required for new students to hold a place after acceptance; waived for returning students who re-enroll on or before March 27, 2026. - Tuition Deposit: Up to USD 400 per child required to secure enrollment; students are not considered enrolled until applicable fees are received.
2026–2027 Annual Tuition (by program / year group)
- Early Childhood (Preschool): - Preschool 2, 3 days per week (8:00–1:00): USD 3,440 per year. - Preschool 2, 5 days per week (8:00–1:00): USD 4,590 per year; 5 days per week (8:00–3:00): USD 6,120 per year. - Preschool 3/4, 5 days per week (8:00–1:00): USD 5,410 per year; 5 days per week (8:00–3:00): USD 7,100 per year.
- Lower School (annual tuition): - Kindergarten: USD 10,170 per year. - Grades 1–3: USD 10,920 per year. - Grades 4–5: USD 11,840 per year.
- Middle School (annual tuition): - Grade 6: USD 11,840 per year. - Grades 7–8: USD 12,910 per year.
- Upper School (annual tuition): - Grade 9: USD 12,910 per year. - Grades 10–12: USD 14,200 per year.
Required and Recurring Fees (K–12)
- Curriculum Support Fee: USD 225 per student (annual). - Security Fee: USD 300 per student (annual). - Technology Fee: USD 175 per student (annual). The technology fee includes insurance coverage for one incident of repair up to USD 229.
Other Fees and Typical Additional Costs
- Athletics: USD 100 per student, per season; maximum USD 250 per student per year; USD 500 maximum per family per year. - Transportation (bus): USD 1,500 annual round-trip fee for students who use Carlisle transportation on a regular basis. Family maximum USD 3,750 for three or more children. - School Store / Spirit/Apparel: School-branded apparel and spirit items are available through the school store; costs vary by item and are paid separately through the store. No flat uniform fee is published. - Multi-child discounts (applied to tuition): USD 500 for the 2nd child, USD 1,000 for the 3rd child, USD 1,500 for the 4th and additional children. Multi-child discount cannot be combined with financial aid; qualifying children must reside at the same address.
Boarding
- Boarding fees: No boarding program or boarding fees are published for Carlisle School; the school operates as a day school serving Pre-K through Grade 12.
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
- Billing and contract administration: Student billing, enrollment contracts, and financial-aid administration are managed through Clarity's contracts & billing portal. Families complete enrollment contracts and set up billing in that portal at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment. - Payment plans and schedule: Specific payment-plan options and due dates are set in the family's enrollment contract in the Clarity portal. Payment-plan choices, installment schedules, and any associated installment fees are selected and confirmed in that contract at time of enrollment.
Accepted Payment Methods and Related Fees
- Common payment methods in the Clarity contracts & billing portal include bank ACH (electronic bank transfer) and credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express). Credit-card transactions typically incur a processing fee applied by the payment processor; ACH/bank-account payments commonly carry no card-processing fee. Other payment methods such as mailed checks or bank wire transfers may also be accepted and recorded in the billing portal.
Refunds and Refund Policy
- Published refund policy: A detailed, published refund or tuition-cancellation policy (for deposits, enrollment fees, or prorated tuition on withdrawal) is not available on the publicly listed tuition pages. The tuition deposit is required to hold enrollment, but a specific statement that it is refundable or non-refundable does not appear in the published tuition schedule. Families should review the enrollment contract in the Clarity portal for the definitive refund, cancellation, and withdrawal terms.
Summary of where to view and expect details in the enrollment contract
- The enrollment contract created and signed in the Clarity portal will list the chosen payment schedule, any installment fees, exact due dates, how the deposit is applied, and the school's refund/withdrawal terms for that contract year. Families receive and sign that contract as part of re-enrollment or new-student enrollment and pay the required deposit to complete enrollment.
Note about information availability: the 2026–2027 tuition and fees listed above are the school's published 2026–2027 figures. Publicly posted materials do not include an itemized, stand-alone refund policy or a detailed pre-set billing calendar on the tuition page; those items are presented and finalized in the enrollment contract and billing portal used at time of enrollment.
Academics
Carlisle School teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 2 to 18.
Curriculum
The Upper School offers a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum, with Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses. Carlisle provides a research-based curriculum across divisions, emphasizing hands-on learning and real-world applications. The school offers 15 AP courses and participates in the AP Capstone Diploma program.
Student Teacher Ratio
11:1
Exam Results
Carlisle offers a strong AP program with 15 AP courses and the AP Capstone Diploma program; 14 students earned AP Distinctions in 2025.
Higher Education Progression
100% of Carlisle graduates have been accepted to a four-year college or university.
Gifted and Talented
Honors and Advanced Placement coursework are available, including the AP Capstone Diploma program.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school prioritizes emotional wellbeing and a safe learning environment. A full-time school counselor and a full-time school nurse are on campus to support students, and ongoing safety initiatives are in place, supported by a full-time School Resource Officer to ensure a secure environment. The Carlisle community emphasizes character, intellect, and leadership in student development.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English Language Learning Service – $4,000 (Required based on TOEFL score and assessed English language proficiency).
Mental Wellbeing
Emotional wellbeing is prioritized with a full-time school counselor on campus to provide guidance and support, and a full-time nurse to support student health. The environment is described as safe and supportive as part of the school's approach to student growth.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is addressed through a safe, supportive environment, ongoing safety initiatives, and a full-time School Resource Officer on campus.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Schedule a Tour. Whether through an open house event, scheduled tour, or virtual online visit, this important step allows parents and students to see the campus, experience classes, and meet other students and faculty. The visit helps families understand the school environment and begin to form a sense of fit with Carlisle School. It also provides an opportunity to ask questions and learn about programs and community life. 2. Complete the Application Form. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. An application must be submitted with an $85 application fee. This step initiates the admissions review and helps the school plan for the applicant pool. 3. Schedule a Student Visit and Assessment. Applicants are required to visit for a half or full day of classes in their current grade. An informal assessment, as well as a written assessment, will be performed during the visit. Formal assessment is required for Kindergarten and First Grade applicants; a separate appointment with the Admissions Office should be arranged for this testing. 4. Complete Student Evaluations. Preschool and Kindergarten applicants must submit a Parent Observation form and Teacher Recommendation (if available). Grades 1-12 require two General Evaluations from a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal/headmaster. Grades 6-12 must also submit Math Evaluation and English Evaluation forms and an Applicant Questionnaire. Parents must sign a confidentiality agreement and have the evaluations submitted in a sealed envelope by a school official. 5. Submit School Records. Complete the Records Release Form. School records must include all standardized test results and any other educational or psychological testing. Copies, not originals, are required. 6. Application Decision. The complete application packet is reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Families will be notified of admissions decisions. 7. Apply for Financial Assistance. For information on tuition and affordability, refer to the Tuition page. If applying for tuition assistance, indicate this choice on the application form. Students must first be accepted to Carlisle School before applying for financial aid.
Scholarships
The Carlisle School Foundation is part of the Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits (EISTC) program established by the Virginia Department of Education. As an approved scholarship foundation, The Carlisle School Foundation uses tax-credit-derived funds to offer scholarships to students who wish to attend private schools within the Commonwealth. Through tuition assistance, families who qualify may also be eligible for scholarship funding through The Carlisle Foundation.
FAQs
Where is Carlisle School located and who does it serve geographically?
Carlisle School is at 300 Carlisle Rd., Axton, VA 24054, in the Martinsville area of Virginia. The rural campus serves students from southwestern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, with programs from early childhood through Grade 12.
What is the age range and grade structure at Carlisle School?
The school serves students aged 2 to 18, with Preschool 2–4, Lower School (Kindergarten–Grade 5), Middle School (Grade 6–8), and Upper School (Grade 9–12). Classes run from preschool through 12th grade in a co‑educational setting.
What kind of school is Carlisle School (in terms of type and curriculum focus)?
Carlisle is an independent, co‑educational day school with a college‑preparatory focus. The Upper School offers Dual Enrollment, AP, and Honors courses, and the curriculum emphasizes hands‑on, real‑world learning across divisions.
What are the 2026–2027 tuition rates by year group for Carlisle School?
Tuition ranges by program: Preschool (2 days, 3 days, or 5 days per week) from about $3,440 to $7,100; Kindergarten around $10,170; Grades 1–3 $10,920; Grades 4–5 $11,840; Grade 6 $11,840; Grades 7–8 $12,910; Grade 9 $12,910; Grades 10–12 $14,200 per year.
What additional fees should families expect beyond tuition?
There are several annual fees: Curriculum Support $225 per student, Security $300, and Technology $175. Transportation by bus is $1,500 per year per student, with family maximums. There are also athletics and miscellaneous costs, like a student activity store, and multi‑child discounts apply to tuition.
How does the admissions process work at Carlisle School?
Admission is a multi‑step process that includes a campus tour or open house, submitting an application with an $85 fee, a student visit and assessments, completing required evaluations, sharing school records, and finally an admissions decision. Financial aid is applied for after acceptance.
Are scholarships or financial aid available for international or domestic students?
Yes. The Carlisle School Foundation participates in the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits program and offers scholarship funding through tuition assistance for families who qualify. Parents can pursue financial aid after a student is accepted.
Is there a waitlist, and how are admissions decisions made?
Admissions decisions are made by an admissions committee after reviewing the complete application packet, including evaluations and school records. Waitlist information isn't published in the provided materials.
What is the typical class size or student‑teacher ratio at Carlisle School?
Carlisle emphasizes small class sizes, with a student‑teacher ratio of about 11:1, supporting individualized attention and mentoring.
What universities or colleges do Carlisle graduates typically attend?
Carlisle reports that 100% of its graduates are accepted to four‑year colleges or universities, reflecting a strong college‑preparatory trajectory.
