Bristol’s public schools outscore 64% of Wisconsin districts
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 Wisconsin, not nationally.
From Wisconsin state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 228 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bristol’s, its schools beat 39%, lower than their 64% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 41% and math 41% in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,847 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Nine elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 21% 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 Bristol’s grade
B: better than 64% of Wisconsin school districts, #170 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Wisconsin average; test scores are 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.
6th grade in Bristol · depends on your address
Prairie View Middle
Grades 6–8 · 699 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Patrick Marsh Middle
Grades 6–8 · 581 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Central Heights Middle
Grades 6–8 · 560 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
7th grade in Bristol · depends on your address
Prairie View Middle
Grades 6–8 · 699 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Patrick Marsh Middle
Grades 6–8 · 581 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Central Heights Middle
Grades 6–8 · 560 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
8th grade in Bristol · depends on your address
Prairie View Middle
Grades 6–8 · 699 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Patrick Marsh Middle
Grades 6–8 · 581 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Central Heights Middle
Grades 6–8 · 560 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
9th grade in Bristol · depends on your address
Sun Prairie East High
Grades 9–12 · 1,340 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,325 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
10th grade in Bristol · depends on your address
Sun Prairie East High
Grades 9–12 · 1,340 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,325 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Bristol’s public schools are run by Sun Prairie Area School District, which also serves Burke, Sun Prairie and Sun Prairie. Parts of Bristol (6% and 2% of its land) are served by Columbus and DeForest Area instead. 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.
Above the state in reading
Bristol vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Bristol’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | B | Sun Prairie Area |
| Sun Prairie | B | Sun Prairie Area |
| Hampden | — | Columbus |
| York | — | Columbus PK–12 · Marshall PK–12 |
| Sun Prairie (town) | B | Sun Prairie Area PK–12 · Marshall PK–12 |
| Windsor | B+ | DeForest Area |
2 of the 5 neighbors share Sun Prairie Area with Bristol, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Bristol
14 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Wisconsin’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Bristol’s schools
Are Bristol’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Wisconsin: the public schools Bristol children attend outscore 64% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #170 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 39%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bristol in?
Sun Prairie Area School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,549 students in 16 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Bristol are served by Columbus and DeForest Area.
Where do Bristol kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Sun Prairie East High and Sun Prairie West High.
What is Bristol’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Sun Prairie Area School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Bristol spend per student?
$15,847 in Sun Prairie Area School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
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 Wisconsin. Stars are from neighbors.