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Lawson Elementary School

Q: Is Lawson Elementary School a good school?

Lawson Elementary School ranks 308 th of 491 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

308^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 491 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Better than 37% of Arkansas elementary schools

Summary

Lawson Elementary School is a small, PK-5 public school in Little Rock, AR, serving 220 students as part of the Pulaski County Special School District.

After years of low performance, Lawson has shown a dramatic turnaround in the 2025-2026 school year, jumping from a 1-star to a 2-star rating and reaching the 37th percentile—its best ranking in nearly a decade. This improvement is driven by an exceptional 4th grade class, which scored above state averages in both ELA (51.7% proficient vs. 41.4% state) and Math (58.6% proficient vs. 47% state). However, the school faces a significant challenge with its 5th grade, where math proficiency dropped to just 17.8% (compared to 45% state), the lowest among nearby schools. Lawson spends a substantial $18,357 per student and maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, both higher than nearby high-performing schools like Baker Elementary School (a 5-star school spending $12,445 per student with a 15:1 ratio). This contrast highlights that past struggles were not due to lack of resources, and the recent turnaround suggests resources may now be used more effectively.

Lawson serves a high-needs population, with a free/reduced lunch rate of 63.18% (2024-2025), and is located just 3.89 miles from Baker Elementary, a top-20 school in the state. This proximity underscores a stark divide in educational opportunity within the same district, likely tied to socioeconomic differences in attendance zones. The school's 4th grade success is a key area for investigation, as replicating that model in other grades could drive further improvement. Meanwhile, the 5th grade drop-off is a critical weakness that, if addressed, could dramatically boost the school's overall ranking. Lawson's journey offers a hopeful case study in how to deploy resources effectively in a high-needs school, but sustained progress will depend on closing the gap between its best and worst-performing grades.

220

Students ?

12.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,357

Per pupil spending ?

63.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

19901 Lawson Road
Little Rock, AR 72210

(501) 821-7000

District: Pulaski County Special School District

Students who attend Lawson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Joe T. Robinson Middle School
High:	Joe T. Robinson High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

42.7%

African American:

29.5%

Hispanic:

24.5%

See top rated Arkansas elementary schools

Compare Lawson Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 34th percentile in 2016 → 37th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Arkansas average (36% vs 42% meeting standards)

!Science scores 14 pts below the Arkansas average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school36%

District avg37%

Arkansas avg42%

308^th of 491

Arkansas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 37%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

From bottom 34% (2016) to bottom 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

8^th of 16Elementary Schools in the Pulaski County Special School District

158^th of 251Pulaski County Special School District among Arkansas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	40.3	308 of 491	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	17.6	426 of 495	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	24.6	397 of 497	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.4	347 of 492	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	32.7	349 of 487	28.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	31.9	363 of 496	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	33.5	358 of 488	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	33.6	355 of 480	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	39.5	319 of 485	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2016	41.8	325 of 494	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2015	38.2	301 of 466	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2014	39.3	344 of 471	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	28.3	385 of 476	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	42.0	333 of 468	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	45.6	314 of 471	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2010	37.7	344 of 457	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	37.7	323 of 445	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	36.7	326 of 439	25.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	35.9	323 of 440	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	37.2	294 of 402	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	39.9	290 of 411	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts41%~ state avg

Reading40%~ state avg

Mathematics35%-9 vs state

Science30%-14 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, December 28, 2018

This is the worst school to send your child. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, July 26, 2017

This school cares for my kids! Close Quote

Schools Near Lawson Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2026)							ATLAS Reading (2026)							ATLAS Mathematics (2026)							ATLAS Algebra (2026)		ATLAS Science (2026)							Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading 7th Grade	ATLAS Reading 8th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 7th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 8th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 8th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science 7th Grade	ATLAS Science 8th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Lawson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	19901 Lawson Road	Little Rock	72210	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 821-7000	220	17	12.7	63.2%	94 (42.7%)	65 (29.5%)	54 (24.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.2%)	40.3	308^th of 491 public elementary schools	37.3%		17.6	426^th of 495 public elementary schools	13.9%	118	32.2	51.7	39.3				40.9	32.3	44.8	42.9				39.7	29.0	58.6	17.8				35.2			25.8	34.4	28.5				29.6	$18,357	$1,145	$17,212
Baker Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	15001 Kanis Road	Little Rock	72223	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	No	(501) 228-3250	407	27	15.0	26.0%	156 (38.3%)	136 (33.4%)	20 (4.9%)	78 (19.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.7%)	84.6	54^th of 491 public elementary schools	89.0%		95.2	16^th of 495 public elementary schools	96.8%	38	49.3	65.0	66.1				59.8	52.3	68.3	64.5				61.4	46.3	83.3	69.4				65.6			43.3	81.7	72.5				65.0	$12,445	$406	$12,039
Chenal Elementary School	Public	K-5	21201 Denny Road	Little Rock	72223	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	No	(501) 821-7450	448	28	15.9	27.5%	218 (48.7%)	84 (18.8%)	41 (9.2%)	61 (13.6%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.7%)	39 (8.7%)	77.4	97^th of 491 public elementary schools	80.2%		93.2	23^rd of 495 public elementary schools	95.4%	74	57.6	55.0	68.8				59.4	53.0	52.1	66.7				55.9	45.9	52.1	52.1				49.5			53.0	53.6	59.2				54.7	$14,785	$967	$13,818
Springhill Elementary School	Public	K-5	2716 Northlake Rd	Alexander	72002	Saline County	Bryant School District	No	No	No	No	(501) 847-5675	551	34	16.2	37.9%	359 (65.2%)	78 (14.2%)	67 (12.2%)	14 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (6.0%)	72.7	129^th of 491 public elementary schools	73.7%		86.2	54^th of 495 public elementary schools	89.1%	75	57.6	47.1	54.6				52.9	60.0	42.2	49.0				49.9	43.5	51.9	59.3				52.2			44.7	55.9	52.8				51.5	$11,644	$767	$10,877
Founders Classical Academies Of Ark West Little Rock Elementary	Public, Charter	K-6	1815 Rahling Rd	Rogers	72758	Pulaski County	Founders Classical Academies Of Arkansas	Yes	No	No	Yes	(501) 821-0382	61	8	7.9	47.5%	15 (24.6%)	27 (44.3%)	11 (18.0%)	2 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (9.8%)								(n/a)							14.3							14.3							14.3									9.5
J.A. Fair K8 Preparatory School	Public	K-8	13420 David O Dodd Road	Little Rock	72210	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-1700	779	53	14.7	99.6%	73 (9.4%)	531 (68.2%)	155 (19.9%)	5 (0.6%)	6 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.2%)	9.9	464^th of 491 public elementary schools	5.5%		7	482^nd of 495 public elementary schools	2.6%	18	23.6	9.3	23.7	19.0	13.9	16.9	17.5	22.3	7.3	20.0	21.0	15.7	17.7	17.7	25.0	14.5	20.4	22.0	12.1	21.3	19.1	100.0	100.0	25.0	3.6	25.5	13.0	14.0	18.6	16.5	$18,016	$2,621	$15,394
Otter Creek Elementary School	Public	K-5	16000 Otter Creek Parkway	Little Rock	72210	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-5800	372	23	15.8	99.2%	27 (7.3%)	238 (64.0%)	95 (25.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.4%)	32.5	352^nd of 491 public elementary schools	28.3%		20	410^th of 495 public elementary schools	17.2%	58	23.4	39.2	43.1				34.5	25.0	41.0	41.2				35.1	26.6	35.7	29.4				30.4			25.0	35.7	33.3				31.0	$15,977	$2,511	$13,466
Parkway Elementary School	Public	K-5	5200 Bryant Parkway	Alexander	72002	Saline County	Bryant School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 653-5128	568	34	16.5	58.8%	238 (41.9%)	71 (12.5%)	224 (39.4%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (5.1%)	69.8	142^nd of 491 public elementary schools	71.1%		63.1	174^th of 495 public elementary schools	64.8%	32	50.6	50.0	47.1				49.2	49.5	46.9	49.0				48.5	50.5	56.1	52.9				53.2			51.5	48.9	45.0				48.5	$10,843	$926	$9,918
Lisa Academy West Elementary School	Public, Charter	K-5	12200 Westhaven Dr	Little Rock	72211	Pulaski County	Lisa Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(501) 476-3309	575	30	19.1	73.4%	57 (9.9%)	268 (46.6%)	190 (33.0%)	36 (6.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.0%)	30.8	370^th of 491 public elementary schools	24.6%		35.1	341^st of 495 public elementary schools	31.1%	29	35.9	42.3	28.4				35.3	35.9	38.1	30.4				34.7	20.5	25.8	24.5				23.8			33.3	40.2	29.4				34.3	$10,447	$1,560	$8,888
Academies Of Math And Science School	Public, Charter	K-8	6423 Stagecoach Road	Little Rock	72204	Pulaski County	Academies Of Math And Science	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(501) 295-3424	486	30	16.3	70.2%	52 (10.7%)	348 (71.6%)	69 (14.2%)	3 (0.6%)	13 (2.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27.8	389^th of 491 public elementary schools	20.8%					(n/a)	30.7	35.1	32.2	30.8	38.2	14.3	30.9	32.3	35.1	32.2	34.6	40.0	21.4	33.0	22.5	35.7	17.0	21.6	25.4	9.5	22.4			32.3	32.7	30.5	35.3	38.2	16.7	31.5

Frequently Asked Questions about Lawson Elementary School

Is Lawson Elementary School a good school?

Lawson Elementary School ranks 308^th of 491 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Lawson Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Lawson Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Joe T. Robinson Middle School
High : Joe T. Robinson High School

How many students attend Lawson Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 220 students attended Lawson Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Lawson Elementary School?

Students at Lawson Elementary School are 43% White, 30% African American, 25% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Lawson Elementary School in?

Pulaski County Special School District

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Latest Arkansas data All new data »

2025–26 ATLAS test scoresNewJul 13, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2019–20 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

2017–18 through 2024–25 dropout ratesJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.