Students at neither Lawrence High School nor Free State High School seem to dominate when it comes to national tests or income levels. Goal accomplished.

Equity was a major concern in 1994, when the Lawrence school board and voters decided to build a second high school in town. In order to achieve equilibrium, the board decided to make 15th Street/Bob Billings Parkway, which runs east and west, the dividing line for the schools. Students who live on the north side attend Free State while those on the south go to LHS.

“We have talented kids that perform at a high level at both of those schools, Superintendent Randy Weseman said. “They tend to face the same kind of challenges that any high school would face. Neither seems to be disadvantaged by its placement geographically in the community.”

Here’s how the schools stack up:

Enrollment. In 2006-2007, LHS had an enrollment of 1,339 compared to Free State’s 1,236.

Graduation rate. Both schools consistently have maintained graduation rates above 90 percent. LHS had a dropout rate of 1.6 percent in 2005-06, while Free State’s was 1.7 percent. Those numbers are down from the 7 percent rate during the final year with one high school.

Income. LHS had 384 students, or 29 percent, who qualified for free- or reduced-price lunches in 2006-07, compared to 235 students, or 19 percent, at Free State.

Tests. On ACT composite scores, both schools have consistently beaten the state and national average, of between 20 and 21, since Free State opened in 1997. The average at Free State has been 23, and the average at LHS has been 22 and 23.