Bristol County Schools & Education
Bristol County, Rhode Island
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
85/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Higher Signal
Graduation Rate
93.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
93.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,588
National avg $13,239
State avg $11,264
School Score
85/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 65/100
State Score Position
#1
of 5 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Bristol County
Measured School Summary
Bristol County has a higher measured school signal with a school score of 85/100 and a graduation rate of 93.5%, based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-score inputs.
Funding Context
Bristol County spends $10,588 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 30% above the Rhode Island average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 6.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Bristol County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
13 public schools and 3 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
85/100
Higher measured signal. Ranks #1 of 5 Rhode Island counties with school score data.
Completion
93.5%
6.5 pts above the state average
Funding context
$10,588
$676 below the state average
School coverage
13
3 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county screens well on the combined school metrics available here. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Bristol County has 13 public schools across 3 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Bristol County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Higher-signal county
Bristol County screens well on the measured county-level school signal. The next check is whether that strength is broad across districts or concentrated in a few school pathways.
State position
#1
of 5 Rhode Island counties with school score data. The county score is 20 points above the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Barrington
Elementary to high school visible
3,382 students
6 listed schools in this county slice.
Bristol Warren
Elementary to high school visible
2,837 students
6 listed schools in this county slice.
Highlander
High school only in this slice
344 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
District reality check
Barrington is the largest listed district slice, with 6 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Bristol County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Bristol County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Bristol County, Rhode Island
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Spotlighting Barrington and Bristol Warren Districts
The Barrington district serves as the county's largest hub with 3,382 students across six schools, followed closely by the Bristol Warren district with 2,837 students. School choice is enhanced by the Highlander charter system, which operates two schools and represents 7.7% of the county's total educational facilities. These districts form the backbone of the region's academic reputation.
Suburban Learning with a Small-Town Feel
Education in Bristol County is predominantly suburban, with 12 schools in suburb locales and one in a rural setting. Schools average 505 students, ranging from the large Barrington High School with 1,139 students down to the more intimate Hugh Cole School at 510 students. This mix provides a classic New England community feel where schools are central to local identity.
School Overview
Total Schools
13
in Bristol County
Reported Enrollment
6,563
13 schools reporting
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
1
8% of total
School Level Breakdown
3 School Districts in Bristol County
Barrington
GuideBristol Warren
Highlander
13 Public Schools in Bristol County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 1 high-enrollment school; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 13 of 13 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington High School | Profile | Barrington | Barrington, 02806Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,139 |
| Mt. Hope High School | Record | Bristol Warren | Bristol, 02809Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 879 |
| Barrington Middle School | Record | Barrington | Barrington, 02806Suburb: Large | 6–8 | Middle | 789 |
| Kickemuit Middle School | Record | Bristol Warren | Warren, 02885Suburb: Large | 6–8 | Middle | 650 |
| Hugh Cole School | Record | Bristol Warren | Warren, 02885Suburb: Large | PK–5 | Primary | 510 |
| Hampden Meadows School | Record | Barrington | Barrington, 02806Suburb: Large | 4–5 | Primary | 484 |
| Primrose Hill School | Record | Barrington | Barrington, 02806Suburb: Large | PK–3 | Primary | 375 |
| Highlander Secondary Charter S | Record | Highlander | Warren, 02885Rural: Fringe | 7–12 | Charter | 344 |
| Nayatt School | Record | Barrington | Barrington, 02806Suburb: Large | KG–3 | Primary | 338 |
| Colt Andrews School | Record | Bristol Warren | Bristol, 02809Suburb: Large | PK–5 | Primary | 300 |
| Rockwell School | Record | Bristol Warren | Bristol, 02809Suburb: Large | KG–5 | Primary | 264 |
| Sowams Elementary School | Record | Barrington | Barrington, 02806Suburb: Large | KG–3 | Primary | 257 |
| Guiteras School | Record | Bristol Warren | Bristol, 02809Suburb: Large | KG–5 | Primary | 234 |
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,588
State avg $11,264
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Bristol County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Rhode Island counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Rhode Island?
How should I read the school score in Bristol County?
What is the graduation rate in Bristol County?
How much does Bristol County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Bristol County, Rhode Island — FAQ
What are the major school districts in Bristol County, Rhode Island?
The Barrington district serves as the county's largest hub with 3,382 students across six schools, followed closely by the Bristol Warren district with 2,837 students. School choice is enhanced by the Highlander charter system, which operates two schools and represents 7.7% of the county's total educational facilities. These districts form the backbone of the region's academic reputation.
What is the school experience like in Bristol County?
Education in Bristol County is predominantly suburban, with 12 schools in suburb locales and one in a rural setting. Schools average 505 students, ranging from the large Barrington High School with 1,139 students down to the more intimate Hugh Cole School at 510 students. This mix provides a classic New England community feel where schools are central to local identity.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.