Summary:
Zip code 66049 has one high school, Lawrence Free State High, serving grades 9–12 with 1,774 students. In 2025–26, its proficiency rates were above the state’s in every reported subject and grade comparison, including all-grades ELA, math, and science. However, chronic absenteeism was 43%, compared with 18% statewide. The clearest overall finding is strong reported proficiency relative to the state alongside substantially higher absenteeism.
Because it is the only school listed, there is no local top-versus-bottom comparison; Lawrence Free State stands out against district and state figures instead. Across all grades, it was 4 percentage points above Lawrence in ELA, 8 points above in math, and 2 points above in science; compared with the state, it led by 10, 11, and 7 points, respectively. Grade-matched advantages over the state were also substantial: 15 points in grade 10 ELA, 16 in grade 10 math, and 15 in grade 11 science. The main counterpoint is absenteeism: the school’s 43% rate was 16 points above the district and 26 points above the state. Its 2023–24 graduation rate was 91%, 2 points above the state.
Recent results and rankings show a generally strong position, with a subject-specific exception. SchoolDigger ranked Lawrence Free State 36th of 340 schools in 2025–26, at the 89th percentile with 4 stars; it had ranked 53rd of 318 in 2023–24, a 17-place improvement and a 6-point rise in percentile. From 2024–25 to 2025–26, ELA proficiency rose from 54% to 55%, while its advantage over the state edged down; math rose from 49% to 52%, and its state advantage widened by about 1 point. The school’s 16.4 student–teacher ratio and 30% free/reduced-lunch rate provide additional context, but this list cannot compare them with other local high schools.
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