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I'm starting a new job in Providence next month. I currently live in Boston, but want to relocate, and I'm seriously considering Bristol or Warren. I've visited and like what I see. I have two elementary school aged children, and I've read through a thread on the Bristol/Warren schools from several years back that painted a pretty grim picture. Any updates? I'd love to hear that there has been marked improvement. They seem to have pretty good ratings on the GreatSchools website, but the insider perspective is always better. Thanks!
This may be too little too late, but choose Bristol. They have the good schools, as it's a regional school system. Hugh Cole is the only elementary for Warren and Great Schools rates it a 6....that's a stretch. Bristol doesn't have the financial issues that Warren has either- this town is flat broke and has had no plan in place to deal with it other than raise taxes over the cap. Also, if you're from away, only plan on socializing with other from-aways. There is a very insular attitude among town residents and they are very resistant to change or input from outsiders. If you're older and don't have kids in school this can be a nice place to live, but otherwise it's a huge hassle. If I knew then what I know now I would have chosen differently.
We've been surprisingly pleased with our elementary school, fully expecting to leave for suburban Boston if necessary. The middle/high schools are OK, especially if your kids are not top students. The Bristol elementary schools are a step above Hugh Cole.
The Warren tax situation is very troubling, and has negatively impacted the school system due to their refusal to pay. They have some good points but at the end of the day the kids are losing out. Both towns should expect substantial tax increases with the loss of state aid.
It would be interesting to see what Bristol/Warren schools could do with Barrington's "raw material". With far more low income housing (Bristol as well has a lot of multi-family housing near downtown) I think they do a pretty admirable job.
The towns are very insular. Most people in the "normal" (not Poppasquash Point) areas of town have lived in the area for generations.
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Bristol Elementary Schools
