Photo: Rania al-Bahara · CC BY-SA 4.0Bristol’s public schools outscore 77% of Vermont districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Bristol, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On-time graduation in Bristol runs at 92%, above the Vermont average (82%). 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.
Bristol’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 245 Vermont towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bristol’s, its schools beat 87%, higher than their 77% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 44% and math 35% in spring 2022, against 44% and 33% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $28,516 per student, against $25,064 across Vermont (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle school
From grade 7 the district’s path is Mt. Abraham Union High School. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
The Red Cedar 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.
What’s behind Bristol’s grade
A−: better than 77% of Vermont school districts, #18 of 71 Vermont towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Vermont average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bristol, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Bristol
Bristol Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 284 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Bristol
Bristol Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 284 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Bristol
Bristol Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 284 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Bristol
Bristol Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 284 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Bristol
Bristol Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 284 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Bristol
Bristol Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 284 students · 12:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Bristol
Bristol Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 284 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Bristol
Mt. Abraham Union High School
Grades 7–12 · 560 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Bristol
Mt. Abraham Union High School
Grades 7–12 · 560 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Bristol
Mt. Abraham Union High School
Grades 7–12 · 560 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bristol
Mt. Abraham Union High School
Grades 7–12 · 560 students · 12:1 students per teacher
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Bristol
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
Bristol vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Vermont towns that share Bristol’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | A− | Mt. Abraham Unified PK–12 · Mt. Abraham Unified |
| New Haven | A− | Mt. Abraham Unified PK–12 · Mt. Abraham Unified |
| Lincoln | — | Lincoln Town PK–6 · Lincoln Supervisory District |
| Middlebury | B | Addison Central Unified PK–12 · Addison Central Supervisory District |
| Starksboro | A− | Mt. Abraham Unified PK–12 · Mt. Abraham Unified |
| Ripton | — | Addison Central Unified PK–12 · Addison Central Supervisory District |
| Monkton | A− | Mt. Abraham Unified PK–12 · Mt. Abraham Unified |
3 of the 6 neighbors share Mt. Abraham Unified with Bristol for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Bristol
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 Bristol’s schools
Are Bristol’s schools good?
By Vermont’s own tests, yes: the public schools Bristol children attend outscore 77% of Vermont’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #18 of 71 Vermont towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 87%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bristol in?
Mt. Abraham Unified School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,223 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
What is Bristol’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Mt. Abraham Unified School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Vermont.
How much does Bristol spend per student?
$28,516 in Mt. Abraham Unified School District (FY2024), against $25,064 across Vermont. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bristol?
Yes: The Red Cedar School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 55 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 Vermont. Stars are from neighbors.