North Dickinson El School

Carlisle, PA 17013

Phone: (717) 240-6800
District: Carlisle Area School District

5

GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades KG,1,2,3,4,5 • 193 students

North Dickinson El School, a public school located in Carlisle, PA, serves grades K-5 in the Carlisle Area School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

North Dickinson El School is a public school located in Carlisle, PA. 193 students attend North Dickinson El School.

School Ratings

Category Rating Details
Test Scores 4/10 The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 The Pennsylvania Keystone Exams data from Pennsylvania Department of Education, and using 2025 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment data from Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Student Growth 6/10 The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Posted: June 8, 2025

Posted: June 8, 2025

Posted: June 8, 2025

Posted: June 8, 2025

Posted: June 8, 2025

Posted: June 8, 2025

Posted: June 8, 2025

We have not had positive experiences with N Dickinson. The teacher to student ratio is deceiving; listed as 12:1 is simply false. General classes outside of special education is in the range of 22 - 28:1. The teachers have been very good for the most part, except for one terrible year with a checked out teacher who retired as soon as she could at the year's end. Aside from this, the teachers do what they can. The school board is more worried about perception than actual education of students, raising taxes and borrowing 100 million dollars for new buildings, but never where it is really needed, actual teachers on deck to help with the kids that need a little more attention. I can't tell you how many times we have heard "We don't have the resources for XYZ..." If your child needs special attention/education or excels, they may do well, but the average student, or one that does not "qualify" for help, will suffer.

More importantly, the safety of children appears to be of little concern. Bullying runs rampant, and no one addresses this. We have experienced this with our own child and have knowledge of many other parents with similar complaints. Send your child here, and be prepared for the effects of bullying. Charter schools are a much better option if you reside in this district, but the school board will fight this tooth and nail. Friends tell us it ony gets worse as the child ages; middle school and high school appear to be far worse.

Bottom line, if you can avoid sending your child to this district, you will be much better off in the long run.

Bottom line, if you can avoid

Posted: March 9, 2017

Posted: March 9, 2017

Posted: March 9, 2017

Posted: March 9, 2017

Posted: March 9, 2017

Posted: March 9, 2017

Posted: March 9, 2017

Definitely a Blue Ribbon school! Outstanding teachers and principal are very dedicated and caring. Modern technology in classrooms, small class sizes, multifaceted curriculum, fun after school programs and individual attention for all students from gifted to special needs. Our child was easily and quickly tested at our request and teachers support. Now receives advanced work and frequent sessions with wonderful gifted teacher to nurture abilities.

Posted: January 26, 2014

Positives: Small school and mostly exceptional teachers lead by an energetic and involved principal (2013-2014) who honors the staff and students. Big Negative: The country location contributes to low enrollment and the population has been supplemented to house many more special education classrooms. Inclusion may be appealing in theory but I find it slows down the pace of the curriculum in the Specials, Science, Reading and Social Studies. Unfortunately, the regular education students get tired of these slow downs and fail to empathize with their disruptive special ed classmates. The desired benefits of Inclusion are failing miserably.

Posted: May 23, 2013

I have been very disappointed over the past 2 years. Nothing exceptional and curriculum really only meets need of the average to low achievers. If your child excels no supplementation will be given and the school staff will be rude and off putting if you request it. Overall I find the staff and teachers to be extremely unprofessional.

Posted: May 1, 2011

I have 2 children attending N. Dickinson and I can't say enough about the teachers, principal and staff. They all go above and beyond what their regular duties might be. The parents are VERY involved and this adds to the care, education and attention that the students get. Well done N. Dickinson! Keep it up!

Posted: April 2, 2011

We have only been at North Dickenson for one year and we are moving after this year is over (we are military), but I really do wish we could stay. It has been such a positive experience for my son. His 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Ryan has definitely gone above and beyond to not only help him fit in, but to ensure he excels. I wish our education system had many more 'Ms Ryan's". We could not be more pleased with the school and the community. The school has recently been completely renovated and is wonderful. Lots of activites for the kids. The only dissapointment we had was the lack of second language classes(spanish, french,etc.). We were told they are working on getting it added to the entire Carlisle school district curriculum. This is our son's third school, and we have been very, very pleased with his experience. Overall an excellent school!

Posted: September 22, 2010

North Dickinson Elementary is such a great school because parents and teachers alike want the children to succed in all that they do. It doesn't matter if it's academics, music, art, sports our school emphesizes everything. GO BRONCO'S

Reviews provided by GreatSchools™

# Name Type City State Overall Rating Distance
1 North Ridge II Neighborhood/Subdivision Carlisle PA 3 mi
2 Good Hope Farms South Neighborhood/Subdivision Mechanicsburg PA 12 mi
# Name City State Overall Rating Distance
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