Lawrence Unified School District 497 Serving Douglas County, KS - Real Estate, Homes For Sale, School & Area Information

This is my school...only the original South Junior High School got bulldozed somewhere around 2006 and this brand new building was built and is currently the newest middle school building in Lawrence. Two years ago, USD 497 decided to move 9th graders to the two high schools and when the 6th graders moved up to the four junior high schools, they became "middle schools". Regardless of the changes and my old bizarre 'spoke-and-wheel' design SJHS no longer standing, I believe that this school is on hallowed ground as a part of my adolescent upbringing. Will Fernandez and Lynn Harrod are the principal and asst. principal and have great reputations as leaders of the "Home of the Cougars". The school is adjacent to an expanded Broken Arrow elementary on 12 acres that were donated through Haskell University (that is still the neighborhood to the east). To the south is the 20 acre Broken Arrow Park that creates an awesome open space that surrounds the schools. To the west, across Louisiana Street is Indian Hills where I grew up. I am proud to call South Middle School my alma mater.

I have a son who attends Southwest Middle School and loves it. The school was built in 1994 and is attached to Sunflower Elementary with students in grades 6-8. Kristen Ryan is a new principal and does a great job leading the staff. There are four middle schools and two high schools in Lawrence. Southwest Middle School received the 2010 Governor's Award as a top performing Kansas school and in 2011 received an Exemplary Middle School award from the Kansas Association of Middle School peers. My son like the variety of rotations, the dances, Mr Lewis and Mrs Mallory in gym and the science teacher Mrs. Leuschen.

My children attend Sunflower Elementary and walk there everyday. I also volunteer there two days a year through the Watch D.O.G.S. program (Dads Of Great Students). Principal Howard Diacon is very popular with the kids and parents and leads with a calm demeanor beginning with his daily opening of the car doors during drop off between 8:20-8:40 a.m. Grades K-5 are taught including all-day kindergarten. I believe the school and all teachers have ESL certification. The central kitchen and "all purpose" room connect the school to Southwest Middle School. Mr. Gipson directs the choir and puts on great shows with the kids. The Marathon Club, Chess Club, Math Club and Science Clubs are all strong. This school was built in 1994 on 15 acres in the southwest part of Lawrence. My family loves this school.

This is my elementary alma mater. I was fortunate to grow up in Indian Hills and walked to Broken Arrow and South Junior High School for 10 years. Somewhere around 2006, SJHS was bulldozed and rebuilt, attached to an expanded Broken Arrow thanks to the 2005 city bond issue. I believe that Brian McCaffrey is only the third principal for this school in 45 years with many of the teachers spending their entire careers here due to the stability of leadership. The broken arrow is a sign of peace and honors the eight acre land donation and shared east border with Haskell University. To the south (north of 31st Street) is the 20 acre Broken Arrow Park. In 2009, Broken Arrow Elementary earned a National Blue Ribbon School award and in 2010, a Governor's Achievement Award. I am proud to be an alumnus.

Lawrence Free State High School (FSHS or LFS) is a public school in Lawrence, Kansas, USA operated by Unified School District 497, and serves students of grades 9 to 12. It is one of two public high schools within the city limits of Lawrence. The current enrollment is approximately 1,450 students. The school colors are hunter green and silver.

Lawrence Free State is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and offers a variety of sports programs. Athletic teams compete in the 6A division and are known as the "Firebirds". Extracurricular activities are also offered in the form of performing arts, school publications, and clubs.

Great school!!!! This is now the largest school in town. My son enjoys going to school, the teachers are great and Boys and Girls after school program is awesome. We highly recommend this school !!!

Lawrence High School is my alma mater. I graduated there in 1988. You will soon learn that all of us older Lawrence natives graduated from there since it was the only accredited high school in Lawrence until 1997 when Free State High School was built. LHS has a history back to 1857 and has had many notable graduates. When I was there, the Lions were grades 10-12 so if you were 2 years older or 2 years younger we all knew each other. Now, the two schools have grades 9-12 with a total enrollment somewhere around 3,000 students and excellent facilities all around mostly thanks to quality leadership and city partnerships. I am proud to serve on the Lawrence High School Alumni Board.