Average
#666 of 1,293 schools in KS
Lawrence Free State High
High School · Lawrence
4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049
Enrollment
1,768
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,768
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lawrence
#7 of 17
public schools
Kansas high schools
#159 of 336
In district
#7 of 18
Lawrence
About Lawrence Free State High
Lawrence Free State High serves 1,768 students in grades 9-12 in Lawrence, Kansas, with a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1 across 82 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school ranks in the 44th percentile statewide, holding the #731 position among Kansas's 1,298 high schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. Academically, the school shows room for growth, with 37% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 31% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
These performance levels suggest the school is working to strengthen student outcomes across core subject areas. Lawrence Free State High is situated in an educated and economically stable community where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $80,539. The surrounding neighborhood in the 66049 ZIP code maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.3%, with median home values of $335,400 among its 31,608 residents.
Located at 4700 Overland Drive, the school serves families in Lawrence, a vibrant small city in Douglas County that combines the advantages of a college town atmosphere with strong community support for education.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Lawrence Free State High is 21.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Lawrence Free State High — Students at Lawrence Free State High score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.1/10.
How Lawrence Free State High Compares
See how Lawrence Free State High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 31% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lawrence Free State High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BISHOP SEABURY ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lawrence High (rated 5.2/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lawrence, see our Lawrence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Quail Run Elementary Lawrence | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Langston Hughes Elem Lawrence | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Deerfield Elem Lawrence | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| BISHOP SEABURY ACADEMY Lawrence | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Sunset Hill Elem Lawerence | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| RAINTREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lawrence | 2.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Lawrence West Middle School Lawrence | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Lawrence Southwest Middle School Lawrence | 2.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Sunflower Elementary Lawrence | 2.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Lawrence Virtual School Lawrence | 2.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Hillcrest Elem Lawrence | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| VERITAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawrence | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Schwegler Elem Lawrence | 3.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Lawrence High Lawrence | 3.7 mi | 5.2 |
| ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence | 3.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Cordley Elem Lawrence | 4.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Lawrence Liberty Memorial Central Mid School Lawrence | 3.9 mi | 3.6 |
| New York Elem Lawrence | 4.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Woodlawn Elem Lawrence | 4.1 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 66049 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,755
Median Home Value
$362,600
Median Rent
$1,145/mo
Population
31,351
College Educated
61.6%
Homeownership
54.3%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lawrence Free State High has a median household income of $90,755. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $362,600, with a median rent of $1,145/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Leavenworth Sr High Leavenworth, KS | 6.2 |
| East High Wichita, KS | 6.3 |
| Olathe South Sr High Olathe, KS | 6.3 |
| Olathe East Sr High Olathe, KS | 6.4 |
| Salina High South Salina, KS | 6.0 |
| Mill Valley High School Shawnee, KS | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lawrence Free State High
What grades does Lawrence Free State High serve?
Lawrence Free State High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Lawrence Free State High?
Lawrence Free State High has an enrollment of approximately 1,768 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lawrence Free State High?
The student-teacher ratio at Lawrence Free State High is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lawrence Free State High rank in KS?
Lawrence Free State High is ranked #666 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Lawrence Free State High's MySchoolScout rating?
Lawrence Free State High has a composite rating of 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Lawrence Free State High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lawrence Free State High has 32.7% math proficiency and 39.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lawrence Free State High a charter school?
No, Lawrence Free State High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lawrence Free State High a Title I school?
No, Lawrence Free State High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lawrence Free State High?
31.5% of students at Lawrence Free State High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,768
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 82
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Douglas County
- Phone
- (785) 832-6050
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lawrence- District Enrollment
- 10,594
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,177
- District Rank
- #7 of 18
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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