Lawson Elementary School

Summary:

Lawson Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Little Rock, Arkansas, serving 219 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Pulaski County Special School District, which is ranked 173 out of 252 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Lawson Elementary consistently performs below the district and state averages across all subject areas and grade levels. In 2023-2024, only 26.4% of Lawson students were proficient or better in English Language Arts and Reading, compared to 28.7% and 33.8% for the district and state, respectively. The school's math proficiency rate of 19.8% is also significantly lower than the district (29%) and state (36.4%) averages. Lawson Elementary has been ranked in the bottom quartile of Arkansas elementary schools for the past several years, consistently ranking between 319-397 out of 487-497 schools, and has maintained a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of the past decade, indicating it is among the lowest-performing schools in the state. The school has an extremely high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 90.43% to 100% over the past three school years, suggesting it serves a predominantly economically disadvantaged student population.

Lawson Elementary's performance is significantly lower than the nearby high-performing schools in the Pulaski County Special School District, such as Baker Elementary and Chenal Elementary, which consistently rank in the top 5-20% of Arkansas elementary schools and have much higher proficiency rates across all subject areas. The high percentage of economically disadvantaged students at Lawson Elementary may be a significant factor contributing to the school's low academic performance, but there is significant room for improvement through targeted interventions and additional resources to better serve its students.


Detail:

Public K-5

 19901 Lawson Rd
       Little Rock, AR  72210


(501) 821-7000

District: Pulaski County Special School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
397th of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,814 Help


Students who attend Lawson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Joe T. Robinson Middle School
High:    Joe T. Robinson High School

Student/teacher ratio:  11.6 Help
Number of students:  219

Racial breakdown:

White:
42.0%
African American:
27.4%
Hispanic:
26.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.5% Help


 See top rated Arkansas elementary schools

 Compare Lawson Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Lawson Elementary School ranks worse than 79.9% of elementary schools in Arkansas. It also ranks 10th among 16 ranked elementary schools in the Pulaski County Special School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.58. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Lawson Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (42%), African American (27.4%), Hispanic (26.5%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 99.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lawson Elementary School is 11.6, which is the 3rd best among 16 elementary schools in the Pulaski County Special School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Lawson Elementary School employs 18.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lawson Elementary School is $12,814, which is the 7th highest among 16 elementary schools in the Pulaski County Special School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Lawson Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Pulaski County Special School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Pulaski County Special School District 173rd of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Lawson Elementary School?

Rank History for Lawson Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 39.91 290th 411 29.4%
2006 37.20 294th 402 26.9%
2007 35.90 323rd 440 26.6%
2008 36.71 326th 439 25.7%
2009 37.73 323rd 445 27.4%
2010 37.73 344th 457 24.7%
2011 45.56 314th 471 33.3%
2012 42.00 333rd 468 28.8%
2013 28.25 385th 476 19.1%
2014 39.29 344th 471 27.0%
2015 38.23 301st 466 35.4%
2016 41.78 325th 494 34.2%
2017 39.46 319th 485 34.2%
2018 33.55 355th 480 26.0%
2019 33.45 358th 488 26.6%
2021 31.87 363rd 496 26.8%
2022 32.73 349th 487 28.3%
2023 35.42 347th 492 29.5%
2024 24.58 397th 497 20.1%
See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Lawson Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, December 28, 2018

Open Quote This is the worst school to send your child. Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Open Quote This school cares for my kids! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Lawson Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 283 51 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 334
1989 302 54 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 356
1990 271 63 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 334
1991 292 53 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 345
1992 278 53 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 331
1993 276 45 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 321
1994 255 49 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 304
1995 248 60 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 308
1996 248 60 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 308
1997 247 47 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 294
1998 241 40 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 281
1999 229 42 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 271
2000 216 42 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 260
2001 216 46 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 262
2002 211 46 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 258
2003 211 46 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 258
2004 204 50 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 255
2005 231 59 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 292
2006 219 71 2 9 1 n/a n/a 0 302
2007 233 61 2 10 1 n/a n/a 0 307
2008 235 68 2 18 1 n/a n/a 0 324
2009 208 65 2 16 1 n/a n/a 0 292
2010 221 68 1 18 0 0 0 0 308
2011 213 68 0 18 0 0 0 0 299
2012 179 78 0 16 0 0 0 0 273
2013 150 69 0 44 1 0 0 0 264
2014 137 86 1 33 2 0 0 0 259
2015 121 79 2 46 3 1 1 0 253
2016 134 79 2 43 3 0 2 0 263
2017 121 77 2 49 5 1 1 0 256
2018 149 75 2 57 3 0 4 0 290
2019 108 66 1 61 3 0 6 0 245
2020 111 52 0 58 0 0 8 0 229
2021 83 49 0 60 0 0 7 0 199
2022 82 57 0 66 0 0 4 0 209
2023 92 60 0 58 0 0 9 0 219

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Lawson Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 334 18.0 18.5 n/a
1989 356 19.0 18.7 n/a
1990 334 18.0 18.5 32.6
1991 345 17.8 19.3 30.7
1992 331 18.0 18.3 33.8
1993 321 17.9 17.9 34.6
1994 304 16.5 18.4 46.4
1995 308 17.0 18.1 34.7
1996 308 17.0 18.1 34.7
1997 294 16.5 17.8 33.7
1998 281 16.5 17.0 39.1
1999 271 13.0 20.8 49.8
2000 260 11.0 23.6 49.2
2001 262 17.0 15.4 54.6
2002 258 16.0 16.1 50
2003 258 16.0 16.1 50
2004 255 15.0 17.0 51
2005 292 18.0 16.2 55.5
2006 302 19.0 15.9 58.3
2007 307 23.0 13.3 54.4
2008 324 25.0 13.0 62.7
2009 292 23.0 12.7 69.2
2010 308 19.4 16.2 69.2
2011 299 18.8 15.9 70.2
2012 273 17.1 15.9 70.7
2013 264 14.9 17.6 69.7
2014 259 19.3 13.3 70.7
2015 253 20.0 12.6 73.1
2016 263 17.0 15.4 75.3
2017 256 18.9 13.5 34.8
2018 290 19.3 15.0 38.3
2019 245 14.6 16.7 67.3
2020 229 19.0 11.9 65.9
2021 199 19.8 10.0 100
2022 209 17.4 11.9 90.4
2023 219 18.7 11.6 99.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Lawson Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 334 18.0 18.5 n/a
1989 356 19.0 18.7 n/a
1990 334 18.0 18.5 32.6
1991 345 17.8 19.3 30.7
1992 331 18.0 18.3 33.8
1993 321 17.9 17.9 34.6
1994 304 16.5 18.4 46.4
1995 308 17.0 18.1 34.7
1996 308 17.0 18.1 34.7
1997 294 16.5 17.8 33.7
1998 281 16.5 17.0 39.1
1999 271 13.0 20.8 49.8
2000 260 11.0 23.6 49.2
2001 262 17.0 15.4 54.6
2002 258 16.0 16.1 50
2003 258 16.0 16.1 50
2004 255 15.0 17.0 51
2005 292 18.0 16.2 55.5
2006 302 19.0 15.9 58.3
2007 307 23.0 13.3 54.4
2008 324 25.0 13.0 62.7
2009 292 23.0 12.7 69.2
2010 308 19.4 16.2 69.2
2011 299 18.8 15.9 70.2
2012 273 17.1 15.9 70.7
2013 264 14.9 17.6 69.7
2014 259 19.3 13.3 70.7
2015 253 20.0 12.6 73.1
2016 263 17.0 15.4 75.3
2017 256 18.9 13.5 34.8
2018 290 19.3 15.0 38.3
2019 245 14.6 16.7 67.3
2020 229 19.0 11.9 65.9
2021 199 19.8 10.0 100
2022 209 17.4 11.9 90.4
2023 219 18.7 11.6 99.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Lawson Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,721 (21.2%) $10,092 (78.8%) $12,814

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Lawson Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 358th of 488 Elementary schoolsRanks 347th of 492 Elementary schools
 2.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Lawson Elementary School)67.763.7
 4%
   3rd Grade English (Pulaski County Special School District)77.463.7
 13.7%
   3rd Grade English (Arkansas)72.462.6
 9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Lawson Elementary School)51.631.8
 19.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Pulaski County Special School District)62.250.1
 12.1%
   3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)62.154.4
 7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Lawson Elementary School)29.118.1
 11%
   3rd Grade Science (Pulaski County Special School District)43.930.9
 13%
   3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)39.435
 4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Lawson Elementary School)29.118.1
 11%
   3rd Grade Reading (Pulaski County Special School District)42.132.8
 9.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)38.332.2
 6.1%
4th Grade English (Lawson Elementary School)68.852.9
 15.9%
   4th Grade English (Pulaski County Special School District)71.161.9
 9.2%
   4th Grade English (Arkansas)69.663.3
 6.3%
4th Grade Math (Lawson Elementary School)62.635.3
 27.3%
   4th Grade Math (Pulaski County Special School District)54.348.2
 6.1%
   4th Grade Math (Arkansas)53.848.6
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Lawson Elementary School)35.444.2
 8.8%
   4th Grade Science (Pulaski County Special School District)44.536.5
 8%
   4th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.338.5
 3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Lawson Elementary School)27.132.4
 5.3%
   4th Grade Reading (Pulaski County Special School District)49.343.3
 6%
   4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)45.342
 3.3%
5th Grade English (Lawson Elementary School)61.766.7
 5%
   5th Grade English (Pulaski County Special School District)73.371.8
 1.5%
   5th Grade English (Arkansas)73.370.2
 3.1%
5th Grade Math (Lawson Elementary School)25.538.1
 12.6%
   5th Grade Math (Pulaski County Special School District)4541.4
 3.6%
   5th Grade Math (Arkansas)49.240.7
 8.5%
5th Grade Science (Lawson Elementary School)25.623.8
 1.8%
   5th Grade Science (Pulaski County Special School District)38.330
 8.3%
   5th Grade Science (Arkansas)40.734.6
 6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Lawson Elementary School)38.328.6
 9.7%
   5th Grade Reading (Pulaski County Special School District)39.537.8
 1.7%
   5th Grade Reading (Arkansas)4136.8
 4.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students245219
 10.6%
African American6660
 9.1%
American Indian30
 100%
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic6158
 4.9%
Pacific Islander00
White10892
 14.8%
Two or More Races69
 50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients67.3%99.5%
 32.2%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Lawson Elementary School

Students at Lawson Elementary School are 42% White, 27% African American, 26% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

Lawson Elementary School ranks in the bottom 20.1% of Arkansas elementary schools.

Students who attend Lawson Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Joe T. Robinson Middle School
High : Joe T. Robinson High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 219 students attended Lawson Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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