Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0Bristol’s public schools score below 64% of Connecticut districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Bristol, 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.
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.
Bristol’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 104 Connecticut towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bristol’s, its schools beat 50%, higher than their 36% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 49% of tested students were proficient in reading and 36% in math, against 50% and 40% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $22,270 per student, against $25,892 across Connecticut (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then five middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Paul Catholic High School (private), St. Joseph School (private), Immanuel Lutheran School (private) and St. Matthew School (private) are 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.
What’s behind Bristol’s grade
C+: better than 36% of Connecticut school districts, #109 of 152 Connecticut towns. Both inputs trail the Connecticut average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bristol, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Bristol · depends on your address
Bristol Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,148 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Bristol Eastern High School
Grades 9–12 · 998 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School
Grades 6–12 · 268 students · 10:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bristol · depends on your address
Bristol Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,148 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Bristol Eastern High School
Grades 9–12 · 998 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School
Grades 6–12 · 268 students · 10:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Bristol · depends on your address
Bristol Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,148 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Bristol Eastern High School
Grades 9–12 · 998 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School
Grades 6–12 · 268 students · 10:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Bristol · depends on your address
Bristol Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,148 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Bristol Eastern High School
Grades 9–12 · 998 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School
Grades 6–12 · 268 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Bristol’s public schools are run by Bristol 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.
Below the state in reading
Bristol vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Connecticut towns that share Bristol’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | C+ | Bristol |
| Plainville | C+ | Plainville |
| Burlington | B+ | Regional School District 10 |
| Plymouth | C+ | Plymouth |
| Southington | B+ | Southington |
| Wolcott | B− | Wolcott |
| Farmington | A | Farmington |
Every school in Bristol
17 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).
Questions about Bristol’s schools
Are Bristol’s schools good?
On Connecticut’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Bristol children attend score below 64% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #109 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 50%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bristol in?
Bristol School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,241 students in 13 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bristol kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Bristol Central High School, Bristol Eastern High School and Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School.
What is Bristol’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Bristol School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut.
How much does Bristol spend per student?
$22,270 in Bristol School District (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bristol?
Yes: St. Paul Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 388 students), St. Joseph School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 198 students), Immanuel Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 165 students) and St. Matthew School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 158 students).
Parents talk
What Bristol families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bristol → 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.