Total enrollment
6,234
-493 (-7%) vs SY 2020-21
Bristol County
Rhode Island · Public K-12
Across all districts in Bristol County, public schools number 13 and enroll approximately 6,234 K-12 students (8 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high).
4-year change in Bristol County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
13
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Bristol County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Rhode Island | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 6,234 | #5 of 5 | #1,136 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 13 | #5 of 5 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.2:1 | #4 of 5 | #977 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 27.7% | #5 of 5 | #2,439 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 41.6% | #4 of 5 | #1,427 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Bristol County school rankings
Residents
50,490
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
13
3 districts
Enrollment
6,234
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$114,490
Above Rhode Island avg
Free/reduced lunch
27.7%
Below Rhode Island avg
Elementary
8
2,613 students
Middle
2
1,396 students
High
3
2,225 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Barrington
3,267 students · 3 districts in Bristol County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Bristol County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
53.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
3.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.0%
civilian labor
Median age
44
17.8% under 18
Test scores in Bristol County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 11 schools ranked. Rhode Island state average: 34.2%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Barrington Middle School· 76.1%
- Nayatt School· 69.8%
- Hampden Meadows School· 60.6%
- Primrose Hill School· 58.5%
- Rockwell School· 56.9%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Highlander Secondary Charter S· 11.6%
- Hugh Cole School· 44.8%
- Guiteras School· 47.1%
- Sowams Elementary School· 48.6%
- Kickemuit Middle School· 51.1%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington High School | Barrington | High | 09-12 | 1,098 | · |
| Mt. Hope High School | Bristol | High | 09-12 | 787 | · |
| Barrington Middle School | Barrington | Middle | 06-08 | 763 | · |
| Kickemuit Middle School | Warren | Middle | 06-08 | 633 | · |
| Hugh Cole School | Warren | Elementary | PK-05 | 517 | · |
| Hampden Meadows School | Barrington | Elementary | 04-05 | 471 | · |
| Nayatt School | Barrington | Elementary | KG-03 | 356 | · |
| Highlander Secondary Charter S | Warren | High | 07-12 | 340 | · |
| Primrose Hill School | Barrington | Elementary | PK-03 | 329 | · |
| Colt Andrews School | Bristol | Elementary | KG-05 | 307 | · |
| Rockwell School | Bristol | Elementary | KG-05 | 260 | · |
| Sowams Elementary School | Barrington | Elementary | KG-03 | 250 | · |
| Guiteras School | Bristol | Elementary | 02-05 | 123 | · |
Cities in Bristol County
About Bristol County
Across the low-population Rhode Island county of Bristol County of about 50,490 residents, the public-school footprint covers 13 schools and about 6,234 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $114,490 a year, 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 4%. That income level is 15% higher than the Rhode Island median.
On the school-mix side, Bristol County covers 8 elementary schools (2,613 students), 2 middle schools (1,396), and 3 high schools (2,225).
The largest single district in Bristol County is Barrington, which alone enrolls about 3,267 students.
Looking at the last 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment fell 7%: 6,727 students in SY 2020-21 versus 6,234 in SY 2024-25.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Bristol County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data