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Rev. John Ely HouseRev. John Ely House · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0
B−
Schools in Bethel · Bethel School District

Bethel’s public schools outscore 54% of Connecticut districts

In Bethel, 48% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Connecticut average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Bethel, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Connecticut, not nationally.

#81of 152 Connecticut townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Connecticut state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
58%
▲ 8 pts vs CT 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
48%
▲ 8 pts vs CT 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95%
▲ 7 pts vs CT 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$21.4K
▼ 17% vs CT $25.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.2
CT 12.2 · larger classes
Schools in town
6
3,188 students on the public path
In brief

Bethel’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 179 Connecticut towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bethel’s, its schools beat 37%, lower than their 54% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 58% and math 48% in spring 2022, against 50% and 40% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $21,419 per student, against $25,892 across Connecticut (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 3 the district’s path is Ralph M. T. Johnson School, then Bethel Middle School, then Bethel High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Mary Elementary School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Bethel’s grade

B− Test scoresB Graduation

B−: better than 54% of Connecticut school districts, #81 of 152 Connecticut towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Connecticut average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Connecticut school districts we grade (199)Better than 54%
Lower resultsHigher results
Connecticut towns with similar household incomes (179)Better than 37%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,650 test results and a graduating class of 247 could put Bethel anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Bethel’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,641 in math, 1,660 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bethel, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–22 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB−
3–5Ralph M. T. Johnson SchoolBethel School DistrictB−
6–8Bethel Middle SchoolBethel School DistrictB
9–12Bethel High SchoolBethel School DistrictB+

Bethel’s public schools are run by Bethel School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading58%
State average 50.5% · 1660 students tested
Math48%
State average 39.8% · 1641 students tested

Bethel vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Connecticut towns that share Bethel’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BethelB−Bethel
DanburyDDanbury
ReddingA+Redding PK–8 · Regional School District 09 9–12
BrookfieldBBrookfield
NewtownA−Newtown

Every school in Bethel

6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Connecticut’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Bethelby address
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade

Questions about Bethel’s schools

Are Bethel’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Connecticut: the public schools Bethel children attend outscore 54% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #81 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 37%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Bethel in?

Bethel School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,188 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Bethel kids go to high school?

Bethel High School, with 1,097 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Bethel’s graduation rate?

95% of the class of 2023 in Bethel School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut.

How much does Bethel spend per student?

$21,419 in Bethel School District (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Bethel?

Yes: St. Mary Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 191 students).

Parents talk

What Bethel families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bethel → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Connecticut. Stars are from neighbors.