Photo: Shannon Beat · CC BY 4.0Lawrence’s public schools outscore 63% of Kansas districts
In Lawrence, 38% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the Kansas average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lawrence, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kansas, not nationally.
From Kansas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Lawrence’s schools, in brief
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 38% and math 32% in spring 2022, against 32% and 29% statewide; 87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,393 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then four middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Raintree Montessori School (private), Corpus Christi Catholic School (private), Veritas Christian School (private), Bishop Seabury Academy (private), Century School Inc (private) and Limestone Community School (private) are in town. Lawrence Virtual School, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Lawrence’s grade
B: better than 63% of Kansas school districts, #65 of 151 Kansas towns. Test scores are above the Kansas average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lawrence, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Lawrence · depends on your address
Lawrence Free State High
Grades 9–12 · 1,774 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lawrence High
Grades 9–12 · 1,454 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lawrence · depends on your address
Lawrence Free State High
Grades 9–12 · 1,774 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lawrence High
Grades 9–12 · 1,454 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lawrence · depends on your address
Lawrence Free State High
Grades 9–12 · 1,774 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lawrence High
Grades 9–12 · 1,454 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lawrence · depends on your address
Lawrence Free State High
Grades 9–12 · 1,774 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lawrence High
Grades 9–12 · 1,454 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Lawrence’s public schools are run by Lawrence Unified School District 497, which also serves Clinton, Grant, Kanwaka and Reno and others. Parts of Lawrence (2% of its land) are served by Perry Public Schools Unified School District 343 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Lawrence vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Lawrence’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | B | Lawrence Unified School District 497 |
| Wakarusa | B | Lawrence Unified School District 497 |
| Grant | — | Lawrence Unified School District 497 |
| Kanwaka | B | Perry Public Schools Unified School District 343 PK–12 · Lawrence Unified School District 497 PK–12 · Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450 PK–12 |
| Clinton | — | Lawrence Unified School District 497 |
| Eudora | B+ | Eudora Unified School District 491 |
4 of the 5 neighbors share Lawrence Unified School District 497 with Lawrence, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Lawrence
24 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Lawrence’s schools
Are Lawrence’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Kansas: the public schools Lawrence children attend outscore 63% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #65 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lawrence in?
Lawrence Unified School District 497, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,380 students in 18 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Lawrence are served by Perry Public Schools Unified School District 343.
Where do Lawrence kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Lawrence Free State High and Lawrence High.
What is Lawrence’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Lawrence Unified School District 497 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Lawrence spend per student?
$12,393 in Lawrence Unified School District 497 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lawrence?
Yes: Raintree Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 391 students), Corpus Christi Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 349 students), Veritas Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 251 students), Bishop Seabury Academy (religious, grades 6–12, 179 students), Century School Inc (nonsectarian, grades PK, 91 students) and Limestone Community School (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 45 students).
Parents talk
What Lawrence families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lawrence → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Kansas. Stars are from neighbors.