Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Lawrence’s public schools score below 95% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation
In Lawrence, 16% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Massachusetts average (41%). 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 Massachusetts, not nationally.
From Massachusetts state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 18% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
73% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $25,802 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then 11 elementary, ten middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Community Day Charter Public School, Lawrence Family Development Charter School, Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Lawrence, Central Catholic (private), Lawrence Catholic Academy (private), Bellesini Academy (private), Blessed Stephen Bellesini O.S.A. Academy (private) and Esperanza Academy (private) are in town. 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
D: better than 5% of Massachusetts school districts, #278 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Both inputs trail the Massachusetts average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
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 High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
High School Learning Center
Grades 9–12 · 198 students · 13:1 students per teacher
School for Exceptional Studies
Grades 1–12 · 118 students · 4:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lawrence · depends on your address
Lawrence High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
High School Learning Center
Grades 9–12 · 198 students · 13:1 students per teacher
School for Exceptional Studies
Grades 1–12 · 118 students · 4:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lawrence · depends on your address
Lawrence High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
High School Learning Center
Grades 9–12 · 198 students · 13:1 students per teacher
School for Exceptional Studies
Grades 1–12 · 118 students · 4:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lawrence · depends on your address
Lawrence High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
High School Learning Center
Grades 9–12 · 198 students · 13:1 students per teacher
School for Exceptional Studies
Grades 1–12 · 118 students · 4:1 students per teacher
Lawrence’s public schools are run by Lawrence School District. 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 below the state in reading
Lawrence vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Lawrence’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | D | Lawrence |
| North Andover | A− | North Andover |
| Methuen | C | Methuen |
| Andover | A | Andover |
Every school in Lawrence
34 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Massachusetts’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Lawrence’s schools
Are Lawrence’s schools good?
On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lawrence children attend score below 95% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #278 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 8%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lawrence in?
Lawrence School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 13,313 students in 26 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lawrence kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Lawrence High School, High School Learning Center and School for Exceptional Studies.
What is Lawrence’s graduation rate?
73% of the class of 2023 in Lawrence School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Lawrence spend per student?
$25,802 in Lawrence School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lawrence?
Yes: Central Catholic (Catholic, grades 9–12, 1,494 students), Lawrence Catholic Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 468 students), Bellesini Academy (Catholic, grades 5–8, 123 students), Blessed Stephen Bellesini O.S.A. Academy (Catholic, grades 5–8, 117 students) and Esperanza Academy (religious · all-girls, grades 5–8, 63 students). Lawrence also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
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 Massachusetts. Stars are from neighbors.