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Very Good

#433 of 1,294 schools in KS

Top 33% in state

Sunflower Elementary

Elementary School · Lawrence

2521 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047

Enrollment

452

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#433 of 1,294

In Lawrence

#4 of 17

public schools

In district

#4 of 18

Lawrence

Academic performance

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Sunflower Elementary

7.3/10

Elementary School in Lawrence · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lawrence Southwest Middle School

6.2/10

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

Raintree Montessori School

7.5/10

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

About Sunflower Elementary

Sunflower Elementary is a public elementary school in Lawrence, KS, part of Lawrence. Sunflower Elementary serves approximately 452 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunflower Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #433 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for Sunflower Elementary show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • KS avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Sunflower Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.7% (2025 KAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.5% (2025 KAP)
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)
vs. Expected+8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,177
Chronic Absenteeism30.5%

Sunflower Elementary — Students at Sunflower Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 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
84%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
96%
2011
Math
95%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
49%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
50%
ELA
51%
2025
Math
44%
ELA
57.6%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Sunflower Elementary Compares

See how Sunflower Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
67th percentile in KS
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.5%

Programs & Offerings

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

2521 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunflower Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Langston Hughes Elem (rated 8.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Quail Run Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lawrence, see our Lawrence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Lawrence Southwest Middle School Lawrence 0.1 mi 6.2
RAINTREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lawrence 0.3 mi 7.5
BISHOP SEABURY ACADEMY Lawrence 0.6 mi 7.7
Quail Run Elementary Lawrence 1.8 mi 8.1
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence 1.9 mi 6.6
Langston Hughes Elem Lawrence 2.4 mi 8.3
Lawrence Free State High Lawrence 2.7 mi 5.4
Sunset Hill Elem Lawerence 2.6 mi 6.1
Lawrence West Middle School Lawrence 2.6 mi 5.1
Schwegler Elem Lawrence 2.3 mi 5.7
Hillcrest Elem Lawrence 3.0 mi 6.6
Deerfield Elem Lawrence 3.5 mi 7.2
Lawrence High Lawrence 3.1 mi 4.3
Billy Mills Middle School Lawrence 3.2 mi 3.5
Lawrence Virtual School Lawrence 3.8 mi 4.8
Cordley Elem Lawrence 3.5 mi 7.5
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence 3.7 mi 7.6
Lawrence Liberty Memorial Central Mid School Lawrence 3.8 mi 3.8
VERITAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawrence 4.4 mi 7.4
New York Elem Lawrence 4.2 mi 3.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cottonwood Elementary Andover, KS 7.3
Lincoln Elem Junction City, KS 7.3
Overbrook Attendance Center Overbrook, KS 7.3
Peterson Elem Wichita, KS 7.3
Price-Harris Communications Magnet Wichita, KS 7.3
Roosevelt Elem Hays, KS 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunflower Elementary

What grades does Sunflower Elementary serve?

Sunflower Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sunflower Elementary?

Sunflower Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 452 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunflower Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunflower Elementary is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sunflower Elementary rank in KS?

Sunflower Elementary ranks #433 of 1,294 schools in KS.

What is Sunflower Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunflower Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Sunflower Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunflower Elementary has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sunflower Elementary a charter school?

No, Sunflower Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sunflower Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sunflower Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunflower Elementary?

47.6% of students at Sunflower Elementary 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Douglas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.5%

District

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

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