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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lawrence Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 10,380 students in Lawrence, KS (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,396 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Lawrence, KS are educated in public schools (compared to the KS state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lawrence, KS are Langston Hughes Elementary School, Quail Run Elementary School and Sunflower Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lawrence, KS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Kansas public school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 33% statewide average). Schools in Lawrence have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Kansas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kansas public school average of 40% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Lawrence, KS (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Langston Hughes Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1101 George Williams Way
Lawrence, KS 66049
(785) 832-5890
Gr: K-5 | 560 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #22.
Quail Run Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1130 Inverness Drive
Lawrence, KS 66049
(785) 832-5820
Gr: K-5 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Sunflower Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2521 Inverness Drive
Lawrence, KS 66047
(785) 832-5870
Gr: K-5 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #44.
Deerfield Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
101 Lawrence Avenue
Lawrence, KS 66049
(785) 832-5660
Gr: K-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #55.
Cordley Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
204 West 19th Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-5640
Gr: K-5 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #66.
Sunset Hill Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
901 Schwarz Rd
Lawrence, KS 66049
(785) 832-5880
Gr: K-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #77.
Hillcrest Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1045 Hilltop Dr
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-5720
Gr: K-5 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #88.
New York Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
936 New York Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-5780
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #99.
Lawrence Southwest Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2511 Inverness Drive
Lawrence, KS 66047
(785) 832-5550
Gr: 6-8 | 641 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1010.
Schwegler Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2201 Ousdahl Rd
Lawrence, KS 66046
(785) 832-5860
Gr: K-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1111.
Lawrence Free State High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4700 Overland Drive
Lawrence, KS 66049
(785) 832-6050
Gr: 9-12 | 1,774 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1212.
Woodlawn Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
508 Elm St
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-5920
Gr: K-5 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1313.
Lawrence West Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2700 Harvard Road
Lawrence, KS 66049
(785) 832-5500
Gr: 6-8 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1414.
Prairie Park Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2711 Kensington Road
Lawrence, KS 66046
(785) 832-5740
Gr: K-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1515.
Lawrence High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1901 Louisiana St
Lawrence, KS 66046
(785) 832-5050
Gr: 9-12 | 1,454 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1616.
Billy Mills Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2734 Louisiana St
Lawrence, KS 66046
(785) 832-5450
Gr: 6-8 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1717.
Lawrence Liberty Memorial Central Mid School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 Massachusetts St
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-5400
Gr: 6-8 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Lawrence, KS?
The top-ranked public schools in Lawrence, KS include Langston Hughes Elementary School, Quail Run Elementary School and Sunflower Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Lawrence?
18 public schools are located in Lawrence.
What percentage of students in Lawrence go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Lawrence are educated in public schools (compared to the KS state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lawrence?
Lawrence public schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kansas public schools average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Lawrence are often viewed compared to one another?

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