Bristol/Warren Schools (Providence, Newport, Middletown: renting, health insurance, houses)

[kristenethom]

Could anyone give me some feedback on the Bristol/Warren Schools. We are looking at houses in the area and I have heard mixed reviews on the schools. Are there a lot of young families in Bristol? and which elementary school is best?

Thanks!

[Africanme]

Hi, I am no expert on the area since I don't live there yet, but we are moving there at the end of July (looking in Middletown/Portsmouth areas).
There is a great website called greatschools.net which will give you info regarding the schools such as test scores. BUT of course a personal opinion from someone in the area would be even better. At least you could get a profile though. I visited the area in April and it really is beautiful. That whole area of Warren/Bristol/Barrington is lovely. If you are considering moving to Bristol/Warren you might want to consider Barrington (the next town). The school system as a whole gets a 10/10 and their test scores are the highest. If you look at some previous posts, the consensus is that Barrington is the best school system in RI.
Hope this helps a little and good luck with the move... it is quite daunting isn't it?

[GermanSpy]

If you have to choose between Bristol and Warren...go for Bristol schools which would be the lesser of two evils. If possible, see about another school district, Portsmouth and Barrington have quite decent schools.
There are some former teachers from the area floating around these forums, I'm sure they'll give you some more information soon.

Good luck.

[Alphaman]

As a product of the bristol school system I would say they leave much to be desired. Barrington and even warren at the time I went had better schools.

[wxjay]

Well, for high school, it won't matter between Bristol or Warren - it's a regional school system, and students in both towns attend Mt. Hope High.

The school system there is not the best in the state, but it isn't the worst either. Barrington has a better school system, but you will also pay a lot more for comparable properties. Try Portsmouth or Middletown (not Newport) if you have the choice.

[traceyr13]

I don't know much about the elementary schools, but I would not send my children to Mt. Hope High School. Portsmouth is a much better option, or Barrington if you can afford it. Newport is not much better than Bristol/Warren - at least it wasn't a few years ago.

[imgdoctor]

Barrington schools may be good, but be aware that they have the highest rate of teen drunk driving and the rich parents seem not to care too much about this. In fact many provide their houses for pool parties with alcohol for teen gatherings. This is a fact and check the archives of Providence journal for stories. Also , if you are commuting to Providence on I-195 the traffic is terrible.

[gridlock]

Bristol has had plenty of well publicized problems with teen drinking, teen dui/deaths, and irresponsible parents allowing teen drinkining parties. Running a close second to Barrington.

I'd also recommend Portsmouth as some other posters have.

[tom2000]

The schools are the best place for getting manners and to become a good student. But the culture is completely different. The students are now become badly by their bad friendship. In the above school, some type of problems is created. The administration will take good decision to stop this.
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Tom2000
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[ocngypz]

The Bristol/Warren unified school district is dreadful. My friends have all sent their children to private schools.


As far as the East Bay area is concerned, Barrington and Portsmouth are good school systems. IMHO Portsmouth is a nicer community, better behaved children probably reflected by more hands-on parenting in the community.

As far as the West Bay is concerned... E. Greenwich is good.

If I had a choice in the matter, however, I would avoid RI all together. The state is the only one in New England in a recession, hidden taxes abound and our state and local governments corrupt. Vehicle and health insurance rates are through the roof.