Summary:
Zip code 49064 is served by a single elementary school, Lawrence Elementary School, part of the Lawrence Public Schools district, which enrolls 214 students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade.
For parents considering this area, the most important takeaway is that Lawrence Elementary serves a student body with significant economic need—77.57% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch—and academic proficiency rates are well below state averages across nearly all subjects and grade levels. The school’s state ranking has declined over the past three years, dropping from the 31st percentile in 2023-2024 to the 23rd percentile in both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, where it now holds a 1-star rating. In the most recent testing year, 3rd-grade ELA proficiency fell to 19.4% and math to 22.6%, while 5th-grade ELA was just 11.54%. However, there is a notable bright spot in 4th grade, where proficiency reached 32.4% in both ELA and math—a significant spike compared to other grades, suggesting that particular cohort or instructional approach is working well.
On a positive note, chronic absenteeism at Lawrence Elementary is remarkably low at 13.4%, far better than the district average of 18.9% and the state average of 27.9%. This indicates strong student attendance and family engagement, providing a solid foundation for learning. The school also invests heavily in its students, spending $14,537 per pupil, which is substantial and likely reflects the high level of need. The paradox here is that despite high attendance and significant per-student spending, academic outcomes remain low. This suggests the challenges are tied to factors beyond attendance—likely the high poverty rate and potential instructional or resource gaps—and that the current investment, while necessary, has not yet closed the achievement gap. Parents should view this school as one with a caring, consistent environment but should also expect to supplement learning at home or seek additional academic support.
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