Old Christ Church · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0Bethel’s public schools score below 62% of Vermont districts on tests and graduation
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 Vermont, not nationally.
From Vermont 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.
Bethel’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 246 Vermont towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bethel’s, its schools beat 44%, higher than their 38% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 30% in math, against 44% and 33% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
70–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Vermont (the state reports Bethel’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,908 per student, against $25,064 across Vermont (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is White River Valley Middle School, then White River Valley High School. Enrollment is up 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Bethel’s grade
C+: better than 38% of Vermont school districts. Both inputs trail the Vermont average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bethel, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Bethel
Bethel Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 124 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Bethel
White River Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 133 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Bethel
White River Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 133 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Bethel
White River Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 133 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Bethel
White River Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 224 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in South Royalton
10th grade in Bethel
White River Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 224 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in South Royalton
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Bethel
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Bethel vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Vermont towns that share Bethel’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bethel | C+ | White River Unified PK–12 · White River Valley Supervisory Union |
| Royalton | C+ | White River Unified PK–12 · White River Valley Supervisory Union |
| Rochester | C+ | Rochester Stockbridge Unified PK–6 · White River Valley Supervisory Union |
| Tunbridge | C+ | First Branch Unified PK–8 · White River Valley Supervisory Union |
| Randolph | B+ | Orange Southwest Unified PK–12 · Orange Southwest Supervisory Union |
| Braintree | B+ | Orange Southwest Unified PK–12 · Orange Southwest Supervisory Union |
3 of the 5 neighbors share White River Valley Supervisory Union with Bethel for grades , so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Bethel
3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Vermont’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Bethel’s schools
Are Bethel’s schools good?
On Vermont’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Bethel children attend score below 62% of Vermont’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 44%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bethel in?
White River Unified School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 649 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bethel kids go to high school?
White River Valley High School in South Royalton, with 224 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Bethel’s graduation rate?
70–79% of the class of 2023 in White River Valley Supervisory Union graduated in four years, against 82% across Vermont.
How much does Bethel spend per student?
$18,908 in White River Unified School District (FY2024), against $25,064 across Vermont. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Bethel families are saying about school.
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 Vermont. Stars are from neighbors.