Groundbreaking at new high school in Bristol

BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — The Bristol-Warren School District became the latest one to break ground on a new high school in Rhode Island.

Local leaders were present for the beginning of construction at the new Mount Hope High School.

Superintendent Ana Riley said that the new school will focus on expanding career and technical education programs and special services.

“At the heart of our school will be an open student common, a central hub for collaboration that will connect students to each other and the wider community,” she said. “The building’s unique design will maximize natural light, create dedicated learning courtyards, and create a special space for our freshman academy.”

Bristol-Warren was just one of many districts building new high schools, a list that included Central Falls, Warwick, Pawtucket, and South Kingstown.

RIDE Chief Operations Officer Mario Carreño said that he was proud of the work taken to build new schools in the state.

“There was a period of time not too long ago where you could count on one hand the number of schools we were building on this state, and you wouldn’t need any hands to count the number of high schools being built in the state,” he said.

The new high school is expected to be finished in 2027 with a total price tag of $185 million.