Best Public Schools in Lawrence, MI

The city of Lawrence, Michigan, is served by three schools—Lawrence Elementary School (grades K-6), Lawrence JrSr High School (grades 7-12), and Bert Goens Learning Center (grades PK-12)—together enrolling 463 students across two districts: Lawrence Public Schools and Van Buren Independent School District (Isd).

For parents comparing options, the standout is Lawrence JrSr High School, which improved dramatically from the 20th to the 44th percentile in one year, now ranking 446th in Michigan. It boasts an 86.2% graduation rate (above the state’s 84%), a zero dropout rate, and the district’s strongest SAT reading/writing scores (42.9% proficient). In contrast, Lawrence Elementary School serves the largest population (214 students) but struggles academically, with 5th grade ELA proficiency at just 11.5% versus the state’s 43.8%—a steep 20.9-point drop from its own 4th grade scores. The elementary school does excel in attendance, with only 13.4% chronic absenteeism despite 77.6% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. Bert Goens Learning Center is a specialized alternative school with an extraordinary 2.5:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $140,636 (nearly 10x the traditional schools), yet it faces a 60.6% chronic absenteeism rate and no graduating cohort, reflecting the intensive needs of its population.

Overall, Lawrence Public Schools carries a 1-star district rating (26th percentile), with math proficiency gaps of 15-25 points below state averages across grades. However, pockets of promise exist: the high school’s rapid improvement, the elementary school’s strong attendance culture, and near-state-average science (34.3% vs. 35.2%) and social studies (37.1% vs. 43.2%) scores at 11th grade. The most pressing concern is a pipeline challenge—students who perform relatively well in 4th grade lose significant ground by 7th grade (ELA 21.2%, math 12.1%)—suggesting transition difficulties. Small cohort sizes (~30 students per grade) also drive volatile year-over-year swings, so parents should interpret single-year scores cautiously while recognizing the district’s genuine efforts to support a predominantly low-income student body.