Very Good
#725 of 2,216 schools in MO
Top 33% in state
Lawson High
High School · LAWSON R-XIV
PO BOX 157, Lawson, MO 64062
Enrollment
369
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
369
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lawson
#3 of 4
public schools
Missouri high schools
#173 of 532
In district
#2 of 3
LAWSON R-XIV
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Lawson High
Lawson High serves 369 students in grades 9-12 in this close-knit rural Missouri community. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. Academically, Lawson High stands out as a strong performer, earning a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #233 out of 2,234 Missouri schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.
The school demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, where 72% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels. In mathematics, 62% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards, reflecting solid preparation in core academic areas. The school serves a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $85,571 and the poverty rate remains low at just 5.3%.
Median home values of $216,900 reflect the area's affordability and appeal to families. While 16% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community's strong economic foundation provides a supportive environment for student achievement. Lawson High's rural setting in Ray County offers students a traditional small-town high school experience within a community of approximately 6,600 residents who value education and stability.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Lawson High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Lawson High — Students at Lawson High score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Lawson High Compares
See how Lawson High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 157, Lawson, MO 64062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lawson High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WATKINS MILL PARK CAMP (rated 7.8/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is EXCELSIOR SPRINGS TECH. HIGH (rated 6.2/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Excelsior Springs), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lathrop High School (rated 6.2/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Lathrop), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lawson, see our Lawson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LAWSON MIDDLE Lawson | 0.1 mi | 4.9 |
| SOUTHWEST ELEM. Lawson | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| WATKINS MILL PARK CAMP Lawson | 4.5 mi | 7.8 |
| LEWIS ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs | 7.0 mi | 7.2 |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS EAR CHLD CTR Excelsior Springs | 7.0 mi | — |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS HIGH Excelsior Springs | 7.0 mi | 5.0 |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS MIDDLE Excelsior Springs | 7.1 mi | 5.5 |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS TECH. HIGH Excelsior Springs | 7.6 mi | 6.2 |
| CORNERSTONE ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs | 7.4 mi | 6.6 |
| ELKHORN ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs | 9.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Lathrop Elementary School Lathrop | 9.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Lathrop Middle School Lathrop | 9.9 mi | 7.2 |
| NORTHERN HILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Holt | 9.2 mi | 7.0 |
| SOUTHVIEW ELEM. Kearney | 10.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Lathrop High School Lathrop | 10.7 mi | 6.2 |
| KEARNEY HIGH Kearney | 10.2 mi | 6.1 |
| KEARNEY JR. HIGH Kearney | 10.3 mi | 7.0 |
| LENS Kearney | 10.3 mi | 4.1 |
| KEARNEY MIDDLE Kearney | 10.0 mi | 6.3 |
| KEARNEY EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Kearney | 10.1 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,306
Median Home Value
$230,700
Median Rent
$1,063/mo
Population
6,752
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lawson High has a median household income of $89,306. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,700, with a median rent of $1,063/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| FRONTIER STEM HIGH SCHOOL Kansas City, MO | 7.0 |
| ROSATI-KAIN HIGH SCHOOL St. Louis, MO | 7.0 |
| SOUTH HARRISON HIGH Bethany, MO | 7.0 |
| BOURBON HIGH SCHOOL Bourbon, MO | 6.9 |
| EWING MARION KAUFFMAN HIGH Kansas City, MO | 7.1 |
| FORSYTH HIGH Forsyth, MO | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lawson High
What grades does Lawson High serve?
Lawson High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Lawson High?
Lawson High has an enrollment of approximately 369 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lawson High?
The student-teacher ratio at Lawson High is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lawson High rank in MO?
Lawson High is ranked #725 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Lawson High's MySchoolScout rating?
Lawson High has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Lawson High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lawson High has 53.7% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lawson High a charter school?
No, Lawson High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lawson High a Title I school?
No, Lawson High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lawson High?
28.7% of students at Lawson 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
- City Safety
- Average (555/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lawson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 369
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Ray County
- Phone
- (816) 580-7270
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LAWSON R-XIV- District Enrollment
- 1,114
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,973
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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