Lawrence Public Schools unveils 2025–26 enhancements: neighborhood preschool seats, added elementary science and expanded Montessori and STEAM offerings

The superintendent on Monday outlined a set of proposed program enhancements that district leaders said are designed to expand access and reduce disparity for Lawrence students in 2025–26.

"These enhancements are about opportunities for students and reducing disparity gaps," Dr. Janice Swift said as she introduced the package of proposals.

Key proposals described to the board include:

- Preschool expansion: a phased rollout to add preschool classrooms in neighborhood schools, beginning in 2025–26 with one classroom each at Sunflower and Woodlawn elementaries. Swift said the district’s longer‑term vision is "a preschool seat for every child in Lawrence,” and that school selection was based on need and demand.

- Elementary science: an added, standards‑based elementary science rotation intended to provide teachers a second professional planning period while increasing hands‑on science instruction at the elementary level. JC Roberson will lead planning with principals and teachers to define scope and sequence.

- Jayhawk Blueprint expansion: increased college course opportunities at Lawrence High and Free State High to provide students with college credit opportunities and reduce barriers to postsecondary attainment.

- STEAM at Liberty Memorial Central: Project Lead The Way (PLTW) modules will be added sequentially at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School; district staff said robotics, design and modeling courses are already offered and more modules will be phased in.

- New York Montessori upper elementary expansion: the district plans to move New York Montessori into an upper‑elementary model as students progress through the lower levels, with administrators and Montessori staff creating a public Montessori pathway.

Board members asked about enrollment and transfer procedures; Swift said the district will send details to families about enrollment, interest forms and open‑enrollment or transfer steps. No budgetary or policy votes were taken at the meeting; staff said more detailed summaries and research citations for each enhancement will be published in March–April as planning continues.

Administrators said the proposals grew from community, student and staff feedback collected during the school year and are intended to be phased in with advisory groups and regular progress updates to the board.