Lawrence School District
School District · Lawrence, Kansas
Avg Rating
5.8
out of 10
Schools
18
11 elem, 4 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
10,594
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Avg Rating
5.8
out of 10
Schools
18
11 elem, 4 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
10,594
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Evaluating Lawrence?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Lawrence as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Langston Hughes Elem
Lawrence · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Quail Run Elementary
Lawrence · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Cordley Elem
Lawrence · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
Kansas rank
#214 of 279
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Kansas avg
Per-pupil spending
$12,177
$3,077 vs Kansas median
District size
10,594 students
Much larger than Kansas median
The short answer
Lawrence ranks #214 of 279 Kansas districts by overall school rating. Lawrence's schools with real test data average 5.8/10 across 18 schools. Its top-rated schools are Langston Hughes Elem (8.3/10), Quail Run Elementary (8.1/10), and Cordley Elem (7.5/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Rates 7.5/10 despite 54% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Lawrence schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Lawrence
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (18 of 18). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Langston Hughes Elem | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Quail Run Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Cordley Elem | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Sunflower Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Deerfield Elem | 7.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Hillcrest Elem | 6.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Lawrence Southwest Middle School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Sunset Hill Elem | 6.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Prairie Park Elem | 6.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Schwegler Elem | 5.7 / 10 |
See all 18 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Lawrence
Lawrence is a Lawrence, Kansas school district serving 18 schools.The district educates 10,594 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. District-level spending was $12,177 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 5.8/10, Lawrence demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Langston Hughes Elem, which has a composite score of 8.3/10.
In standardized testing, Lawrence students show an average math proficiency of 50.7% and ELA proficiency of 58.2%.
The district includes 11 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Lawrence, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Lawrence with test data.
Schools in Lawrence
18 schoolsElementary Schools11
Middle Schools4
High Schools2
Other Schools1
District Details
- State
- Kansas
- City
- Lawrence
- Total Enrollment
- 10,594
- Teachers (FTE)
- 710
- District spending per student
- $12,177NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 10.2%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Lawrence?
Lawrence has 18 schools in total — 11 elementary, 4 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Lawrence?
The average composite rating for Lawrence is 5.8/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Lawrence?
Lawrence's district-level spending was $12,177 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lawrence?
The average student-teacher ratio in Lawrence is 14.9:1.
What is the top-rated school in Lawrence?
Langston Hughes Elem is the highest-rated school in Lawrence with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What are the test scores in Lawrence?
Across schools in Lawrence with test data, the average math proficiency is 50.7% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 58.2%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Lawrence compare to other districts in Kansas?
Lawrence has an average school rating of 5.8/10 across 18 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Kansas by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.8/10
- Math Proficiency
- 50.7%
- ELA Proficiency
- 58.2%
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateOther School Districts in KS
Compare Lawrence with neighboring districts in the state.
- Wichita (87)
- Olathe (52)
- Shawnee Mission Pub Sch (45)
- Kansas City (43)
- Blue Valley (37)
- Topeka Public Schools (27)
- Garden City (18)
- Geary County Schools (15)
- Manhattan-ogden (14)
- De Soto (13)
- Derby (13)
- Salina (13)
- Goddard (12)
- Maize (12)
- Andover (11)
- Dodge City (11)
- Gardner Edgerton (11)
- Spring Hill (11)
- Hutchinson Public Schools (10)
- Auburn-washburn (9)
- Haysville (9)
- Arkansas City (8)
- Emporia (8)
- Leavenworth (8)
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Kansas Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.