Skip to main content

Very Good

#402 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 22% in state

Lawrence Central High School

High School · MSD Lawrence Township

7300 E 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46226

Enrollment

2,417

Student-Teacher

19.2:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianapolis

#30 of 222

public schools

Indiana high schools

#76 of 388

In district

#2 of 16

MSD Lawrence Township

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Lawrence Central High School

Lawrence Central High School serves 2,417 students in grades 9-12 in Indianapolis, providing education in a large suburban setting with 126 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1. Located at 7300 E 56th Street, this regular public school is working to support student achievement in a community with room for academic growth. The school faces educational challenges, with 12% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in mathematics across grade levels.

Currently ranked in the 3rd percentile among Indiana high schools, Lawrence Central is focusing on student development and improvement initiatives. The school's size allows for diverse programming opportunities, though academic outcomes indicate significant work ahead to better serve the student body. The surrounding 46226 ZIP code area reflects a working-class community with a median household income of $43,371 and median home values around $129,600.

About 23% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 21.6% among the area's 45,716 residents. This large suburban community provides Lawrence Central High School with a diverse student population representing various socioeconomic backgrounds, creating both opportunities and challenges as the school works to meet all students' educational needs.

What Parents Should Know

Lawrence Central High School is a large school with 2,417 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53%
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected+9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.6%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,776

Lawrence Central High School — Students at Lawrence Central High School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
18%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
12%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.

How Lawrence Central High School Compares

See how Lawrence Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
78th percentile in IN
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
126 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
15.6% participation·15 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

7300 E 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46226

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lawrence Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lawrence North High School (rated 7.6/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hoosier College and Career Academy (rated 5.1/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Thrival Academy (rated 4.2/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Hoosier College and Career Academy Indianapolis 0.2 mi 5.1
Belzer Middle School Indianapolis 0.2 mi 3.6
Harrison Hill Elementary School Indianapolis 0.4 mi 6.4
The Nature School of Central Indiana Indianapolis 0.6 mi 3.1
Brook Park Elementary School Indianapolis 0.7 mi 6.1
ST LAWRENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Indianapolis 1.1 mi 7.7
Arlington Community Middle School Indianapolis 1.5 mi 5.9
Thrival Academy Indianapolis 1.5 mi 4.2
Skiles Test Elementary School Indianapolis 1.9 mi 5.8
Circle City Preparatory Elementary School Indianapolis 1.9 mi 5.8
Crestview Elementary School Indianapolis 2.0 mi 5.0
HARRIOT TUBMAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Indianapolis 1.7 mi
Robert Lee Frost School 106 Indianapolis 1.7 mi 5.6
Charles Warren Fairbanks Sch 105 Indianapolis 2.1 mi 7.0
TP SCHOOLS Indianapolis 2.0 mi 6.9
PLA@Promise Prep Indianapolis 2.1 mi 5.4
PLA at George H Fisher School 93 Indianapolis 2.5 mi 8.4
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Indianapolis 2.4 mi 5.7
Lawrence North High School Indianapolis 2.8 mi 7.6
Tindley Summit Academy Indianapolis 2.6 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46226 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,086

Median Home Value

$148,900

Median Rent

$1,045/mo

Population

45,640

College Educated

23.8%

Homeownership

46.4%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

19.4%

Median Age

33.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lawrence Central High School has a median household income of $47,086. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,900, with a median rent of $1,045/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arsenal Technical High School Indianapolis, IN 7.5
Brownsburg High School Brownsburg, IN 7.4
Crown Point High School Crown Point, IN 7.6
Homestead High School Fort Wayne, IN 7.4
Lake Central High School Saint John, IN 7.6
Lawrence North High School Indianapolis, IN 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lawrence Central High School

What grades does Lawrence Central High School serve?

Lawrence Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Lawrence Central High School?

Lawrence Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,417 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lawrence Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lawrence Central High School is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lawrence Central High School rank in IN?

Lawrence Central High School is ranked #402 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Lawrence Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lawrence Central High School has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Lawrence Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lawrence Central High School has 17.0% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lawrence Central High School a charter school?

No, Lawrence Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lawrence Central High School a Title I school?

No, Lawrence Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lawrence Central High School?

78.4% of students at Lawrence Central High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,237/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Indianapolis). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,417
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
126
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MSD Lawrence Township
District Enrollment
16,502
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,332
District Rank
#2 of 16

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.