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ABOUT US

Lawrence Public Schools

Unified School District 497

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Our Mission

Lawrence Public Schools is a learning community committed to ensuring educational equity and excellence so that students of all races and backgrounds achieve at high levels and graduate prepared for success in college, careers, and life in a diverse and rapidly changing world.

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Empowering future-ready learners.

With a focus on educational equity and our strategic plan initiatives of Cohesive Curriculum, Student-Centered Learning, Safe and Supportive Schools, Effective Employees, and Data-Informed Decisions, Lawrence Public Schools has earned a reputation as a premiere learning community — offering our scholars an excellent P-12 educational experience that rivals any in Kansas and beyond.

The keys to our success? Our high-quality staff, bright and talented students, actively involved parents, supportive community partners, and resource-rich university community, where education is valued.

Together as one team, our district's school board, administration, teachers, and staff build positive relationships, seek multiple perspectives, set high expectations, and hold each other accountable for ensuring that all students achieve at high levels, graduate on time, and are well-prepared for their future. By serving students at every level of primary and secondary education, all the way from preschool through high school, we are able to support learners at any point in their academic journey with extraordinary educators and support staff. We empower future-ready learners by providing equitable access to rigorous, culturally relevant, and seamlessly aligned curriculum and effective, research-based instruction.

In order to achieve educational equity and excellence for students of all races and backgrounds, the Lawrence Board of Education and Superintendent establish a learning climate of high expectations, set annual equity and achievement goals, and charge district- and school-level teams with responsibilities for developing strategies to eliminate achievement disparities while improving achievement for all students.

 

11,000+ Students

21 Academic Locations

1,600+ Employees

 

LPS Facts

With more than 80 years of history, there is so much to brag about in Lawrence Public Schools. So, here is just a small sample of our district's amazing highlights.

Click any of the links in the list below to learn more information about Lawrence Public Schools and our various academic services, programs, and offerings.

  • Consolidated by the state of Kansas in 1965.

  • Conveniently located on I-70 between the state capital, Topeka, and Kansas City.

  • The seventh-largest school district in Kansas.

  • One of the city's largest employers with approximately 1,600 employees.

  • Serves approximately 11,000 students.

  • Operates 11 elementary schools (Grades K-5), four middle schools (Grades 6-8), two comprehensive high schools (Grades 9-12), a virtual school (Grades K-12).

  • Operates a postsecondary and career training center (Grades 11-12), dedicated preschool learning center (Ages birth-5), and special education transition services location (Grades 9-12).

  • Offers a wide variety of Early Childhood/Preschool programs, including preschool classrooms at four elementary schools, Pre-K Montessori education, Peer Modeling, Parents as Teachers, Infant Toddler Services of Douglas County, special education options, on-site services from Heartland Community Health Center, and comprehensive educational readiness preschool programming at Kennedy Early Childhood Center.

  • Provides career and technical educational opportunities to juniors and seniors attending both high schools at the Lawrence College & Career Center.

  • Operates Lawrence Virtual School, the premier K-12 virtual school in Kansas, serving hundreds of students online across the state.

  • Offers Adult Education Services (adult basic education, English language acquistion services, diploma completion, and GED preparation and testing) at Peaslee Tech.

  • Home to the first public Montessori education program in Kansas — available for students in preschool through grade 3 — at New York Montessori.

  • Oversees multiple schools that have been in operation for over 100 years.

Lawrence Public Schools is proudly located in Lawrence, Kansas. Use the following links to learn more about Lawrence, explore its history, and read up on just a fraction of the positive things national publications are saying about our city.

About Lawrence, KS
Lawrence Visitors Guide
Explore Lawrence

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