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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation24.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,158

Lawrence Free State High — Students at Lawrence Free State High score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
37%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.2/10
49th percentile in KS
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
82 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
48 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,629/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lawrence). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lawrence
District Enrollment
10,594
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,177
District Rank
#7 of 18

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.

Read our full methodology

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