The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lawrence Elementary School
Lawrence Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Arvada, Colorado, serving children from preschool through fifth grade as part of the Jefferson County School District R-1. It is a neighborhood school for families in the surrounding residential area of this Denver suburb.
On state assessments, the picture is mixed. In math and English language arts, proficiency rates for grades three through five fall below the midpoint of Colorado schools, with a slightly higher share of students meeting the bar in reading than in math. Fifth-grade science results are markedly lower, with a small fraction scoring proficient. Participation in testing was high, so the results reflect the full tested population. Families considering this school may want to ask about the specific interventions and supports in place for students who are not yet meeting benchmarks.
The student body of nearly 350 children is racially and ethnically diverse. About half of students are white, and roughly two-fifths are Hispanic, with smaller numbers of students who are two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, Asian, or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a school community with significant economic need. Data on the share of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners is not reported in this record, so families with children in those groups should verify supports directly with the school.
Arvada itself is a suburban city northwest of Denver, with Olde Town as its historic walkable core of shops, restaurants, and a commuter rail station connecting to downtown. The broader built environment is car-dependent, with commercial corridors along wide arterials. The city maintains an extensive network of off-street trails and parks, and a high share of residents live within a short walk of a park. Housing values in the area are moderate for the Denver metro and have seen a slight softening recently; rents have also edged down slightly. The community grew rapidly as a postwar suburb and continues to have a stable residential feel.
The school’s parent district, Jeffco, has been in a period of flux. In 2024, voters approved a sizable bond measure—the first in many years—to fund capital improvements, safety upgrades, and technology across the district, so facility investments are on the horizon. At the elementary level, the district adopted a new literacy curriculum aligned with Colorado’s reading law beginning in the 2023-24 school year, a lasting shift in how early reading is taught. At the same time, the district announced a plan to close a number of schools due to declining enrollment and budget deficits, reversed that decision after community pushback, and formed a committee to study consolidation options. That process remains ongoing, and three school board members were recalled in 2024 over concerns about transparency and consolidation, meaning governance is unsettled. Families looking at Lawrence Elementary should be aware that the district’s future configuration of schools and boundaries is not yet settled.
Lawrence Elementary offers a standard elementary program in a school that reflects the economic and demographic character of its Arvada neighborhood. Its academic results are below the state averages, and the broader district context includes both new investments and unresolved questions about school closures. For families who value a neighborhood school with a diverse student body and are prepared to engage on academic support, it is a school worth visiting and asking about more deeply.
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