| Metric | South Bristol | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 81 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 1 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bristol (this district) | 10/10 | 98th | 81 |
| Yarmouth School Department | 10/10 | 95th | 1,679 |
| Scarborough School Department | 10/10 | 92nd | 2,891 |
| Lewiston School Department | 1/10 | 2nd | 5,088 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 159 rated districts in ME → 98th percentile → 10/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- South Bristol Elementary School — Grades PK–8 · 63 students
About South Bristol
Zip code 04573 in Walpole, Maine is served by South Bristol Public Schools for public school enrollment. The district covers grades K–12. This page provides a data-driven overview of South Bristol’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates South Bristol 10 out of 10 — top-tier among Maine public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Maine is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
⚠️ Small-district caveat. South Bristol enrolls 81 students. A percentile rank drawn from so few test-takers is statistically unstable — it can move several points from one year to the next on normal variation alone, and a single class of students can swing it. Treat this rating as a rough signal rather than a precise ranking, and look at the school-level detail below before drawing conclusions.
South Bristol falls near the middle of Maine on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 04573
Children in zip code 04573 are assigned to South Bristol for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 04573, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact South Bristol at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Maine districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Walpole
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because South Bristol serves zip code 04573, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 04573. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Maine, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support South Bristol programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 04573.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with South Bristol before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 04573 data.