The Challenge

High schools throughout Indiana operate on a "pay-to-play" system, meaning co-curricular activities like arts education require students to pay a fee. Fees can run in excess of $500. The Marching Pride of Lawrence Township, for whom Lawrence Central Performing Arts Association is the fiscal agent, has some of the lowest fees in Central area. However, the $700 fee can put the experience out of reach for some families.

Benefits of Performing Arts

Strong schools mean maintaining and increasing property values, providing a qualified workforce, lowering crime rates and creating a strong sense of community

• Reduction in disciplinary infractions
• Improvement in standardized writing test scores
• Improvement in compassion for others 
  • From the Houston Education Research Consortium
• Increased school attendance
  • Missouri Arts Council
• Students from a low socio-economic background are three times more likely to earn a bachelors degree if they participate in the arts.
  • From National Endowment for the Arts

Six types of benefits:

• Reading & language skills
• Mathematic skills
• Thinking skills
• Social skills
• Motivation to learn
• Positive school environment
  • From National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

Our Students

• 2279 Lawrence Central Students
• 800 enrolled in at least one performing art
• Lawrence Township designated Best Communities for Music Education

• 64% from economically disadvantaged households
• 12% from English language learning homes
• 17% White
• 51% Black
• 25% LatinX

2022 Achievements

• 1st place in Winter Percussion State Championship
• 3rd place in ISSMA State concert band finals:
• 13th place in ISSMA State concert choir finals
• 24 ISSMA Solo and Ensemble State Performers that earned at least a Gold rating
• 18 gold ratings at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Districts
• 7 ensembles that received at least a Gold rating at ISSMA organizational
• The Central Sound won a Grand Champion Concert Choir Trophy
• The Central Sound was invited to perform as headliners at the Indiana Music Educator’s State Convention
• 1 student won grand champion in show choir solo competition
• MPLT was a “Bands of America” Super Regional finalist
• 5 large-scale theatrical productions that involved many of LC’s talented students

The Opportunity

We believe the solution lies within the Lawrence Community and through reciprocal relationships. We are calling on 100 local organizations to step up and be the change they want to see. Additionally, supporting LCPAA supports the Marching Pride of Lawrence Township which is the sole unified emblem of the MSD of Lawrence Township. One PRIDE!