The top reported proficiency rate is 61% in English language arts. The lowest is 59% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Clarence Lawson Elem.
Clarence Lawson Elementary is a regular public school in Jefferson City, Missouri, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Jefferson City school district, the public system for the state capital. The school sits on Fairgrounds Road, a location within the city that houses a mix of residential and commercial areas.
On state assessments, Clarence Lawson Elementary posted results that place it comfortably above most elementary schools in Cole County. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades landed in the top quartile when compared with other districts in the county. That is a strong relative showing. In math, third graders and fourth graders outperformed the county median, though fifth-grade math proficiency softened somewhat. In English language arts, third and fourth graders also turned in solid results. Fifth-grade ELA and fifth-grade science results were suppressed from public reporting, so a full picture of upper-grade performance is not available from state data alone. The pattern across grades suggests that the school’s strongest results come in the early intermediate years, and families with children moving into fifth grade may want to ask the school directly about trends in those older grades.
The student body is racially and ethnically diverse. White students make up a little more than half of enrollment. Black students, Hispanic students, Asian students, and students of two or more races each form a meaningful share. Roughly half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating moderate economic diversity. Enrollment is moderate for an elementary school, with a fairly even distribution across kindergarten through fifth grade. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available from the state, so families who need information about special education services or language supports should reach out to the school directly.
Jefferson City itself is a government and services hub, with the Missouri Capitol, state agencies, Hitachi manufacturing, Lincoln University, and regional healthcare as major economic anchors. The city has seen a modest population decline in recent years, and the housing market reflects above-average costs for the state. Home values and rents in the area are higher than the Missouri average, though slightly below national figures, which is relevant for families weighing whether to rent or buy. The city’s downtown and Capitol complex form the civic core, and the community has a stable, small-city feel rather than a fast-growing suburban one. The district did not appear to have any major recent changes or strategic shifts publicly reported, so the school’s direction seems steady without significant disruption.
A few gaps in available data are worth noting. No information on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, staffing ratios, or program offerings like gifted education or art was provided. These are areas where a parent may want to ask the school for specifics. For a family choosing among elementary options in Jefferson City, Clarence Lawson offers above-average academic performance relative to the county, a diverse and middle-income student mix, and a stable setting in a city that, while not growing rapidly, provides a solid base of employment and civic activity.
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