Lawrence Free State High

School Overview
Lawrence Free State High School, located at 4700 Overland Drive in Lawrence, Kansas, is one of two major public high schools serving the Lawrence Public Schools (USD 497) district. Since its opening in 1997, the school has established a reputation for strong academic performance and a comprehensive extracurricular program. It serves a diverse student body from the western side of the city and is well-regarded for its commitment to college readiness, offering a wide array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, vocational training, and specialized elective programs designed to prepare students for post-secondary success.

Beyond its academic curriculum, Lawrence Free State is known for its highly competitive athletic programs and robust fine arts departments, which frequently achieve recognition at the state level. The school fosters a vibrant campus culture that emphasizes community involvement, school spirit, and personal development. As a cornerstone of the Lawrence educational community, it operates under the broader mission of USD 497 to provide an equitable, inclusive, and challenging learning environment that supports the academic and social-emotional growth of every student.
1,777
Total Students
90.7
Full-Time Teachers
19.6
Student/Teacher Ratio
30.3%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Lawrence Free State High
Demographic Student Count
White1,223
Hispanic169
Black99
Asian72
Two or More170
American Indian39
Pacific Islander5
  • White
    1,223 (68.8 %)
  • Two or More
    170 (9.6 %)
  • Hispanic
    169 (9.5 %)
  • Black
    99 (5.6 %)
  • Asian
    72 (4.1 %)
  • American Indian
    39 (2.2 %)
  • Pacific Islander
    5 (0.3 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: High School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: Lawrence
Phone: (785)832-6050
Website: http://www.usd497.org
Grade Range: 9th - 12th
Total Students: 1,777
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 90.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 19.6
NSLP Participation:1 Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch: 431
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 107
Grades Taught
Grade 9 460
Grade 10 467
Grade 11 426
Grade 12 424

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Lawrence Free State High
Grade Student Count
Grade 9460
Grade 10467
Grade 11426
Grade 12424
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Lawrence Free State High
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female85147.9%
Male92652.1%