Skip to main content

Average

#916 of 1,294 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

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#916 of 1,294

In Lawrence

#10 of 17

public schools

In district

#11 of 18

Lawrence

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Lawrence Free State High?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Lawrence Free State High

5.4/10

High School in Lawrence · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Quail Run Elementary

8.1/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Langston Hughes Elem

8.3/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Lawrence Free State High

Lawrence Free State High is a public high school in Lawrence, KS, part of Lawrence. Lawrence Free State High serves approximately 1,768 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 21.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Lawrence Free State High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #916 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for Lawrence Free State High show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • KS avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Lawrence Free State High runs 21.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

39% of students at Lawrence Free State High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.1% (2025 KAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.2% (2025 KAP)
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College Readiness5.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%
AP Participation24.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,177
Chronic Absenteeism39.3%

Lawrence Free State High — Students at Lawrence Free State High score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

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 KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 30 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
94%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
97%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
97%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
33%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
29%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
49.1%
ELA
54.2%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Lawrence Free State High Compares

See how Lawrence Free State High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in KS
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
17
8 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
82 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
24.8% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
8 boys'·9 girls'·25 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 4.3/10, 3.7 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 8.1
Langston Hughes Elem Lawrence 1.5 mi 8.3
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence 1.7 mi 6.6
Deerfield Elem Lawrence 1.8 mi 7.2
BISHOP SEABURY ACADEMY Lawrence 2.3 mi 7.7
Sunset Hill Elem Lawerence 1.9 mi 6.1
RAINTREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lawrence 2.4 mi 7.5
Lawrence West Middle School Lawrence 2.0 mi 5.1
Lawrence Southwest Middle School Lawrence 2.6 mi 6.2
Sunflower Elementary Lawrence 2.7 mi 7.3
Lawrence Virtual School Lawrence 2.5 mi 4.8
Hillcrest Elem Lawrence 2.5 mi 6.6
VERITAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawrence 3.0 mi 7.4
Schwegler Elem Lawrence 3.3 mi 5.7
Lawrence High Lawrence 3.7 mi 4.3
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence 3.7 mi 7.6
Cordley Elem Lawrence 4.0 mi 7.5
Lawrence Liberty Memorial Central Mid School Lawrence 3.9 mi 3.8
New York Elem Lawrence 4.0 mi 3.0
Woodlawn Elem Lawrence 4.1 mi 5.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Manhattan High School Manhattan, KS 5.4
Olathe North Sr High Olathe, KS 5.5
Shawnee Mission Northwest High Shawnee, KS 5.6
Derby High School Derby, KS 5.2
Washburn Rural High Topeka, KS 5.2
Shawnee Mission South High Overland Park, KS 5.1

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 ranks #916 of 1,294 schools in KS.

What is Lawrence Free State High's MySchoolScout rating?

Lawrence Free State High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Lawrence Free State High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lawrence Free State High has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.3%
4-Year Graduation
90.0%

District

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

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 rate

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.