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Walley School, Bristol Rhode IslandPhoto: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+
Schools in Bristol · Bristol-Warren Regional School District

Bristol’s public schools outscore 68% of Rhode Island districts

In Bristol, 39% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Rhode Island average (27%). 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 Rhode Island, not nationally.

#20of 38 Rhode Island townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Rhode Island 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
48%
▲ 15 pts vs RI 33%
2021–22
Math proficiency
39%
▲ 12 pts vs RI 27%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90%
▲ 6 pts vs RI 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$20.5K
▼ 14% vs RI $23.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.9
RI 13.0
Schools in town
5
2,110 students on the public path
In brief

Bristol’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 47 Rhode Island towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bristol’s, its schools beat 43%, lower than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 48% and math 39% in spring 2022, against 33% and 27% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $20,479 per student, against $23,945 across Rhode Island (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Kickemuit Middle School, then Mt. Hope High School. Enrollment is down 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (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 Bristol’s grade

B+ Test scoresB Graduation

B+: better than 68% of Rhode Island school districts, #20 of 38 Rhode Island towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Rhode Island average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Rhode Island school districts we grade (60)Better than 68%
Lower resultsHigher results
Rhode Island towns with similar household incomes (47)Better than 43%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,533 test results and a graduating class of 230 could put Bristol anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Bristol’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,533 in math, 1,533 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A
6–8Kickemuit Middle Schoolin WarrenB+
9–12Mt. Hope High SchoolBristol-Warren Regional School DistrictB

Bristol’s public schools are run by Bristol-Warren Regional School District, which also serves Warren. 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.

Bristol-Warren Regional School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 2,627 students, down 13% since 2020–21 · 12.9 per teacher (RI 13.0)
$20,479RI $23,945 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading48%
State average 33.1% · 1533 students tested
Math39%
State average 26.6% · 1533 students tested

Bristol vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Rhode Island towns that share Bristol’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BristolB+Bristol-Warren Regional
PortsmouthAPortsmouth
WarrenB+Bristol-Warren Regional
TivertonB+Tiverton
BarringtonA+Barrington

Every school in Bristol

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

District schools in Bristolby address
Colt Andrews School
Elementary · Grades K–5
A−
307 students14:1Rate it →
Rockwell School
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
260 students17:1Rate it →
Guiteras School
Elementary · Grades 2–5
A−
123 students9:1Rate it →
Mt. Hope High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
787 students12:1Rate it →
Also serving Bristolin other towns
Kickemuit Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Warren
B+
633 students12:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
113 students10:1Rate it →

Questions about Bristol’s schools

Are Bristol’s schools good?

By Rhode Island’s own tests, yes: the public schools Bristol children attend outscore 68% of Rhode Island’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #20 of 38 Rhode Island towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Bristol in?

Bristol-Warren Regional School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,627 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Bristol kids go to high school?

Mt. Hope High School, with 787 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Bristol’s graduation rate?

90% of the class of 2023 in Bristol-Warren Regional School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Rhode Island.

How much does Bristol spend per student?

$20,479 in Bristol-Warren Regional School District (FY2024), against $23,945 across Rhode Island. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Bristol?

Yes: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Catholic, grades PK–8, 113 students).

Parents talk

What Bristol families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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 Rhode Island. Stars are from neighbors.