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Below Average

#1150 of 1,293 schools in KS

Lawrence Southwest Middle School

Middle School · Lawrence

2511 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047

Enrollment

654

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lawrence

#13 of 17

public schools

Kansas middle schools

#198 of 222

In district

#14 of 18

Lawrence

About Lawrence Southwest Middle School

Lawrence Southwest Middle School is a public middle school located in the heart of Lawrence, Kansas. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, this school currently has an enrollment of 654 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, with 41 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Lawrence Southwest Middle School is rated at 5.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 41st percentile among all schools in Kansas.

On state assessments, around 40% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math. While there is room for academic growth, Lawrence Southwest Middle School focuses on supporting its diverse student body through a range of educational programs designed to meet individual needs. The school's location in a small city setting provides a close-knit community feel where teachers and staff work closely with families to ensure students receive the support they need to succeed.

Lawrence Southwest Middle School is situated within a vibrant community that values education, offering a supportive environment for young adolescents as they navigate their middle school years.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment3.5Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,158

Lawrence Southwest Middle School — Students at Lawrence Southwest Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
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
48%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
34%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Lawrence Southwest Middle School Compares

See how Lawrence Southwest Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
11th percentile in KS
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

2511 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lawrence Southwest Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Billy Mills Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lawrence West Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lawrence Liberty Memorial Central Mid School (rated 3.6/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lawrence, see our Lawrence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Sunflower Elementary Lawrence 0.1 mi 8.5
RAINTREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lawrence 0.2 mi 7.5
BISHOP SEABURY ACADEMY Lawrence 0.5 mi 7.7
Quail Run Elementary Lawrence 1.8 mi 8.5
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence 1.8 mi 6.6
Lawrence Free State High Lawrence 2.6 mi 6.2
Langston Hughes Elem Lawrence 2.3 mi 7.4
Sunset Hill Elem Lawerence 2.6 mi 5.7
Lawrence West Middle School Lawrence 2.6 mi 4.1
Schwegler Elem Lawrence 2.3 mi 4.2
Hillcrest Elem Lawrence 2.9 mi 5.8
Deerfield Elem Lawrence 3.5 mi 6.3
Lawrence High Lawrence 3.1 mi 5.2
Billy Mills Middle School Lawrence 3.2 mi 5.1
Lawrence Virtual School Lawrence 3.7 mi 4.6
Cordley Elem Lawrence 3.5 mi 7.3
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence 3.7 mi 7.6
Lawrence Liberty Memorial Central Mid School Lawrence 3.7 mi 3.6
VERITAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawrence 4.3 mi 7.4
New York Elem Lawrence 4.2 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66047 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,491

Median Home Value

$303,100

Median Rent

$1,107/mo

Population

20,344

College Educated

54.9%

Homeownership

45.4%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

31.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lawrence Southwest Middle School has a median household income of $61,491. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $303,100, with a median rent of $1,107/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Arrowhead Middle Kansas City, KS 4.5
Richard Warren Middle School Leavenworth, KS 4.5
Shawnee Heights Middle Tecumseh, KS 4.5
El Dorado Middle El Dorado, KS 4.6
Wilbur Middle School Wichita, KS 4.4
Hamilton Middle School Wichita, KS 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lawrence Southwest Middle School

What grades does Lawrence Southwest Middle School serve?

Lawrence Southwest Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lawrence Southwest Middle School?

Lawrence Southwest Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 654 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lawrence Southwest Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lawrence Southwest Middle School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lawrence Southwest Middle School rank in KS?

Lawrence Southwest Middle School is ranked #1150 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Lawrence Southwest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lawrence Southwest Middle School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Southwest Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lawrence Southwest Middle School has 40.0% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lawrence Southwest Middle School a charter school?

No, Lawrence Southwest Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lawrence Southwest Middle School a Title I school?

No, Lawrence Southwest Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lawrence Southwest Middle School?

24.5% of students at Lawrence Southwest Middle School 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

City Safety
High (2,629/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
654
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.5%
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
#14 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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