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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+17.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College Readiness7.2Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,310

Lawson High — Students at Lawson High score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
72%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in MO
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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