High Schools in Lawrence

The high schools in Lawrence, Massachusetts are struggling, with all three schools - Lawrence High School, High School Learning Center, and RISE Academy - performing well below the state average across a variety of metrics. The data paints a concerning picture, with the schools consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Massachusetts high schools and receiving the lowest possible rating of 0 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger.

Academically, the schools struggle, with proficiency rates on MCAS Next Generation assessments significantly lower than the state average. For example, in 2024-2025, only 18.8% of 10th graders at Lawrence High School were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 50.66%. The High School Learning Center and RISE Academy had 0% proficiency rates in both English Language Arts and Mathematics for 10th graders. Graduation rates are also a concern, with all three schools having a 74.0% four-year graduation rate and a 10.7% dropout rate, which are significantly worse than the state averages.

The data suggests that there may be systemic issues within the Lawrence school district that require comprehensive interventions and targeted strategies to address the underlying challenges and drive meaningful progress. The wide range in per-student spending, from $8,459 at RISE Academy to $16,935 at Lawrence High School, also suggests that there may be inequities in resource allocation that could be contributing to the overall poor performance.