Is Lawrence High School a good school?

Lawrence High School ranks 87 th of 123 Maine high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Lawrence High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 577 students attended Lawrence High School.

What is the racial makeup of Lawrence High School?

Students at Lawrence High School are 96% White, 2% Hispanic.

What schools feed into Lawrence High School?

Lawrence High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Albion Elementary School Elementary : Benton Elementary School Elementary : Clinton Elementary School Elementary : Fairfield Primary School Middle : Lawrence Junior High School

Lawrence High School

Summary:

Lawrence High School is a public high school located in Fairfield, Maine, serving grades 9-12 with a student population of 577. The school is part of the Regional School Unit 49/Maine School Admin District 49, which is ranked 133 out of 177 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's racial makeup is predominantly White (95.84% in 2022-2023).

Over the years, Lawrence High School has seen a decline in its statewide ranking, dropping from 32nd out of 111 Maine high schools in 2016-2017 (4-star rating) to 87th out of 123 in 2022-2023 (2-star rating). This is in contrast to some nearby schools, such as Messalonskee High School and Winslow High School, which have maintained higher rankings and ratings. Lawrence High School's four-year graduation rates have also fluctuated, ranging from 75.6% in 2021-2022 to 84.4% in 2022-2023, which is still lower than the rates of nearby schools like Madison Area Memorial High School (88.0%) and Winslow High School (88.9%).

Another area of concern for Lawrence High School is its high chronic absenteeism rate, reaching 49.1% in 2020-2021 and remaining high at 39.0% in 2022-2023. This is significantly higher than the state average and the rates of many nearby schools, such as Messalonskee High School (31.8%) and Winslow High School (32.2%). Additionally, Lawrence High School's academic performance, as measured by the percentage of students proficient or better in the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) tests, is generally lower than the state and regional averages.

Detail:

Public 9-12

9 School Street
Fairfield, ME 04937

(207) 453-4200

District: Regional School Unit 49/Maine School Admin District 49

SchoolDigger Rank:
87^th of 123 Maine High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,742

Feeder schools for Lawrence High School:

Elementary:	Albion Elementary School
	Benton Elementary School
	Clinton Elementary School
	Fairfield Primary School
Middle:	Lawrence Junior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.2

Number of students: 577

Racial breakdown:

White:

95.8%

Hispanic:

2.3%

African American:

0.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 34.7%

See top rated Maine high schools

Compare Lawrence High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Lawrence High School ranks worse than 70.7% of high schools in Maine. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 28.72. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Lawrence High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (95.8%), Hispanic (2.3%), African American (0.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 34.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lawrence High School is 13.2. (See more...)

Compare Lawrence High School employs 43.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lawrence High School is $14,742.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Lawrence High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Lawrence High School 87^th of 123 Maine public high schools. (See Lawrence High School in the ranking list.)

Regional School Unit 49/Maine School Admin District 49:

SchoolDigger ranks Regional School Unit 49/Maine School Admin District 49 133^rd of 177 Maine school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Lawrence High School

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Rank History for all students at Lawrence High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	ME State Percentile
2010	23.78	85^th	103	17.5%
2011	49.40	47^th	105	55.2%
2012	20.82	93^rd	107	13.1%
2013	52.34	42^nd	106	60.4%
2015	11.18	74^th	98	24.5%
2016	30.77	76^th	111	31.5%
2017	64.71	32^nd	111	71.2%
2018	53.84	40^th	114	64.9%
2019	38.03	62^nd	114	45.6%
2021	74.18	37^th	82	54.9%
2022	44.61	69^th	98	29.6%
2023	28.72	87^th	123	29.3%

See the entire list of Maine High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Lawrence High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	ME State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	25.86	56^th	76	26.3%

See the entire list of Best Maine High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Lawrence High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	ME State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	22.42	75^th	92	18.5%

See the entire list of Best Maine High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Lawrence High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	ME State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	44.84	44^th	92	52.2%

See the entire list of Best Maine High Schools for Male Students!

Data source: test scores: Maine Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Maine Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a citizen
Thursday, October 22, 2015

Below is the review of the ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES of MSAD 49 School Board of Directors actions, recorded online, over the past two months in 2015.

*****4 regularly School Board meetings cancelled since school budget approval, policy ADA has not been complied with for the 2015-2016 school year, last minutes published May 28th. Sept 3rd agenda, "Will the M.S.A.D. #49 Board of School Directors vote to accept the minutes of the June 18, 2015 board meeting?" yet June 1st and June 4th minutes not published. (Note: June 18th agenda isn't currently available online.)*****

August review-

August 3rd review of MSAD 49 School Board of Directors schedule online - "On Summer Break" no meetings with subcommittees and both regular scheduled School Board meetings not planned. No meetings held during the month of July. Latest minutes published "May 28th 2015" Compliance with School Board policy ADA for 2015-2016, no motion, no discussion, no vote recorded.

August 10th review and update with change to MSAD 49 website.... "August 11, 7:00 pm in Superintendent’s Conference Room Topic: Plans and priorities for next school year". Hopefully at some point in time the community will have a chance to way in their concerns, ideas and opinions over future "Plans and priorities for next school year" and years to come. ****NOTE**** this workshop is the first of it's kind recorded in the District in the past several years and was posted with less than a weeks notice.

Still no published dates or locations of regularly scheduled School Board meetings or subcommittee meetings. All top performing Schools and several other School Districts have already posted their yearly School Board schedule that includes the subcommittees meetings.

August 17th review of MSAD 49 School Board of Directors schedule online- no change from August 10th. Three consecutive regular scheduled School Board meetings since budget approval have been canceled, no subcommittee meetings held and latest minutes published is May 28th 2015.

August 24th review of MSAD 49 School Board of Directors, no change.

August 30th review of MSAD 49 School Board of Directors schedule online- there is a regular school board meeting posted to take place Sept 3rd and Sept 17th. Sept 3rd agenda posted has a vote to except June 18th minutes yet June 1st and June 4th minutes are still not posted and there is NO JUNE 18TH agenda posted online to review. No sub committee meetings scheduled.

July review-

After a strong debate of MSAD 49 funding took place in May and June, the elected School Board Officials from Fairfield did not meet for the two regular scheduled meetings in July as the School Board Chairman from Albion (Mr. Griener) cancelled the "two" meetings. There were no sub committee meetings during the month of July according to MSAD 49 website.

It was stated during May and June that the issues brought before the School Board from the community should not be tied to the MSAD 49 budget process. With the 2015-2016 MSAD 49 budget complete, where is the School Board working on community concerns mentioned in May and June?

When serving as a representative for Fairfield last year I asked several times not to cancel regular schedule meetings and to open a discussion up on new ideas, community concerns, identifying projects to work towards etc...... I was told that I was new to the Board and I would learn how to be a Board member over time. If you feel our School District has areas for improvement, then lets follow School Board Chair, Mr. Griener advice in the MSAD 49 newspaper and contact our local Elected Officials. More can be viewed at facebook "Arel Spaulding (School Board e-mails)". Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, January 21, 2015

After several attempts to view the curriculum from K-12 communicating directly to the staff, administration, school board and the Department of Education Office in Augusta, one year later a curriculum was provided by the Superintendent for our review. The curriculum provided was incomplete and out dated. After becoming a School Board member 2014 both School Board Policies and Curriculum are now available online. There are 13 School Board members that make up the School Board yet three School Board members and the Superintendent meet each week and discuss business without involving the other members of the School Board and meet without public notice or agenda. The School Board has not followed Policy ADA which requires them to set annual goals in cooperation with the staff, administration and citizens of the community. Setting annual goals per policy ADA have not been complied with for many years. The School Board as a body has publicly stated they are not required to hear public comments or concerns. When suggesting to have goals established and a schedule set to meet those goals and review progress, the School Board refused to adopt this basic practice of success. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Lawrence High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	816	816
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	854	854
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	811	811
1994	788	4	6	1	2	n/a	n/a	0	801
1995	812	5	9	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	830
1996	812	5	9	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	830
1997	849	4	6	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	865
1998	835	1	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	839
1999	807	1	2	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	812
2000	814	2	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	819
2001	800	1	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	802
2002	851	8	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	861
2003	851	8	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	861
2004	874	13	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	892
2005	913	13	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	930
2006	865	35	4	6	20	n/a	n/a	0	930
2007	893	8	3	3	13	n/a	n/a	0	920
2008	865	16	5	4	11	n/a	n/a	0	901
2009	778	10	6	3	11	n/a	n/a	0	808
2010	787	8	6	5	6	n/a	n/a	0	812
2011	735	10	7	4	2	0	0	0	758
2012	714	8	4	5	0	0	1	0	732
2013	677	12	3	6	0	1	2	0	701
2014	647	9	4	12	1	1	2	0	676
2015	648	6	2	10	2	1	2	0	671
2016	650	9	1	12	3	1	4	0	680
2017	628	8	1	9	2	0	4	0	652
2018	587	9	1	9	2	0	4	0	612
2019	618	8	1	10	3	1	5	0	646
2020	613	5	1	10	3	0	5	0	637
2021	597	5	0	10	1	0	5	0	618
2022	584	5	2	9	0	0	6	0	606
2023	553	5	2	13	2	0	2	0	577

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 Lawrence High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1991	816	51.5	15.8	n/a
1992	854	50.7	16.8	n/a
1993	811	51.7	15.7	10.1
1994	801	50.7	15.8	2.1
1995	830	48.0	17.3	11
1996	830	48.0	17.3	11
1997	865	52.0	16.6	17.1
1998	839	52.0	16.1	19.5
1999	812	53.0	15.3	38.5
2000	819	54.0	15.2	44
2001	802	54.0	14.9	32.5
2002	861	59.0	14.6	20.1
2003	861	59.0	14.6	20.1
2004	892	57.6	15.5	22.3
2005	930	60.0	15.5	23.8
2006	930	64.0	14.5	24
2007	920	67.8	13.6	30.7
2008	901	85.0	10.6	41.4
2009	808	63.8	12.7	39.9
2010	812	62.8	12.9	41.9
2011	758	60.1	12.6	47.9
2012	732	57.4	12.7	8.6
2013	701	56.8	12.3	49.4
2014	676	56.0	12.0	51.8
2015	671	50.0	13.4	53.4
2016	680	49.0	13.8	49.4
2017	652	45.5	14.3	53.2
2018	612	45.5	13.4	51.8
2019	646	44.7	14.4	53.4
2020	637	44.1	14.4	49.8
2021	618	43.3	14.2	45.6
2022	606	43.0	14.0	40.6
2023	577	43.5	13.2	34.7

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 Lawrence High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1991	816	51.5	15.8	n/a
1992	854	50.7	16.8	n/a
1993	811	51.7	15.7	10.1
1994	801	50.7	15.8	2.1
1995	830	48.0	17.3	11
1996	830	48.0	17.3	11
1997	865	52.0	16.6	17.1
1998	839	52.0	16.1	19.5
1999	812	53.0	15.3	38.5
2000	819	54.0	15.2	44
2001	802	54.0	14.9	32.5
2002	861	59.0	14.6	20.1
2003	861	59.0	14.6	20.1
2004	892	57.6	15.5	22.3
2005	930	60.0	15.5	23.8
2006	930	64.0	14.5	24
2007	920	67.8	13.6	30.7
2008	901	85.0	10.6	41.4
2009	808	63.8	12.7	39.9
2010	812	62.8	12.9	41.9
2011	758	60.1	12.6	47.9
2012	732	57.4	12.7	8.6
2013	701	56.8	12.3	49.4
2014	676	56.0	12.0	51.8
2015	671	50.0	13.4	53.4
2016	680	49.0	13.8	49.4
2017	652	45.5	14.3	53.2
2018	612	45.5	13.4	51.8
2019	646	44.7	14.4	53.4
2020	637	44.1	14.4	49.8
2021	618	43.3	14.2	45.6
2022	606	43.0	14.0	40.6
2023	577	43.5	13.2	34.7

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 Lawrence High School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2018	$13,935
2019	$13,223
2020	$13,442
2021	$14,754
2022	$14,310
2023	$14,742

Data source: Maine Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Lawrence High 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 62^nd of 114 High schools	Ranks 87^th of 123 High schools	16.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	646	577	10.7%
African American	8	5	37.5%
American Indian	3	2	33.3%
Asian	1	2	100%
Hispanic	10	13	30%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	618	553	10.5%
Two or More Races	5	2	60%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	53.4%	34.7%	18.7%

Schools Near Lawrence High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2023)				Ranking (2022)				MEA English Language Arts (2023)	MEA Mathematics (2023)	MEA Science (2023)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	SchoolDigger Rating (2023)	Average Standard Score (2022)	Statewide Rank (2022)	State Percentile (2022)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MEA English Language Arts All Grades	MEA Mathematics All Grades	MEA Science All Grades	Total
Lawrence High School	Public	9-12	9 School Street	Fairfield	04937	Somerset County	Regional School Unit 49/Maine School Admin District 49	No	No	No	No	(207) 453-4200	577	44	13.2	34.7%	553 (95.8%)	5 (0.9%)	13 (2.3%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	28.7	87^th of 123 public high schools	29.3%		44.6	69^th of 98 public high schools	29.6%	18	51.5	45.4	31.2	$14,742
Winslow High School	Public	9-12	20 Danielson St	Winslow	04901	Kennebec County	Winslow Schools	No	No	No	No	(207) 872-1990	365	33	11.1	38.9%	332 (91.0%)	2 (0.5%)	13 (3.6%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.8%)	52.3	37^th of 123 public high schools	69.9%		51.7	57^th of 98 public high schools	41.8%	20	70.4	38.3	40.7	$20,008
Waterville Senior High School	Public	9-12	1 Brooklyn Ave	Waterville	04901	Kennebec County	Waterville Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(207) 873-2751	519	43	12.0	48.9%	437 (84.2%)	6 (1.2%)	33 (6.4%)	10 (1.9%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.8%)	42.1	58^th of 123 public high schools	52.8%		36.7	74^th of 98 public high schools	24.5%	16	58.0	44.3	39.5	$17,610
Maine Academy of Natural Sciences	Public, Charter	9-12	13 Easler Road	Hinckley	04944	Somerset County	Maine Academy of Natural Sciences	Yes	No	No	Yes	(207) 238-4100	173	18	9.7	60.7%	160 (92.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.0%)	1 (0.6%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.7%)	55.3	32^nd of 123 public high schools	74.0%		39.8	73^rd of 98 public high schools	25.5%	41	73.5	35.3	42.9	$16,063
Messalonskee High School	Public	9-12	131 Messalonskee High Drive	Oakland	04963	Kennebec County	Regional School Unit 18	No	No	No	No	(207) 465-7381	725	52	14.0	24.7%	669 (92.3%)	6 (0.8%)	21 (2.9%)	7 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (2.9%)	65.2	22^nd of 123 public high schools	82.1%		61.8	38^th of 98 public high schools	61.2%	16	65.4	55.4	45.4	$14,950
Skowhegan Area High School	Public	9-12	61 Academy Circle	Skowhegan	04976	Somerset County	Regional School Unit 54/Maine School Admin District 54	No	No	No	No	(207) 474-5511	719	55	13.1	61.5%	660 (91.8%)	4 (0.6%)	25 (3.5%)	6 (0.8%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	20 (2.8%)	40.9	62^nd of 123 public high schools	49.6%		62.1	37^th of 98 public high schools	62.2%	25	58.7	40.3	40.5	$16,225
Overman Academy	Public, Charter	6-12	78 Water Street Suite 2	Skowhegan	04976	Somerset County	Community Regional Charter School	Yes	No	No	No	(207) 858-1600	163	11	14.5	65.6%	158 (96.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.8%)	4.2	123^rd of 123 public high schools	0.0%					(n/a)	43.1	17.7	17.0	$12,684
Ecology Learning Center	Public, Charter	9-12	230 Main Street	Unity	04988	Waldo County	Ecology Learning Center	Yes	No	No	Yes	(207) 230-9275	100	9	11.4	38.0%	96 (96.0%)	1 (1.0%)	1 (1.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40.4	63^rd of 123 public high schools	48.8%					(n/a)	55.0	36.4	43.3	$6,403
Mt View High School	Public	9-12	577 Mount View Road	Thorndike	04986	Waldo County	Regional School Unit 03/Maine School Admin District 03	No	No	No	No	(207) 568-3255	315	26	12.0	50.5%	297 (94.3%)	3 (1.0%)	10 (3.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	11.5	116^th of 123 public high schools	5.7%		34	78^th of 98 public high schools	20.4%	38	40.8	24.5	25.7	$17,255
Madison Junior/Senior High School	Public	7-12	486 Main Street	Madison	04950	Somerset County	Regional School Unit 59/Maine School Admin District 59	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(207) 696-3395	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Lawrence High School

Regional School Unit 49/Maine School Admin District 49:

Average Parent Rating:

What do you think?

Rank History for Lawrence High School

Rank History for all students at Lawrence High School

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Lawrence High School

Rank History for Female students at Lawrence High School

Rank History for Male students at Lawrence High School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Lawrence High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Lawrence High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Lawrence High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Lawrence High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Lawrence High School

Rankings

Student Body

Schools Near Lawrence High School