Marion County K-12 Public Schools Initiative
June 18, 2025
MSD Warren Township Receives $5.44 Million Lilly Endowment Grant to Strengthen Student Achievement and College and Career Readiness
The Metropolitan School District of Warren Township has received a grant of $5,440,500 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Marion County K-12 Public Schools Initiative. This is one of 43 implementation grants awarded through Phase II of the initiative, which is designed to help strengthen the academic achievement of students in Indianapolis and improve their prospects for success after high school.
With the grant, MSD Warren Township will implement a comprehensive, research-based plan aligned to the district’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan. The district’s efforts will focus on accelerating student learning in literacy and mathematics, expanding access to academic and mental and physical well-being supports, and cultivating a strong college- and career-going culture within the intermediate and middle school grades.
The focus of this Phase II grant will be on Warren’s intermediate and middle schools, specifically grades 5 through 8. This grade span represents a critical transition period in a student’s K–12 journey, a time when academic expectations increase, identity formation deepens, and students begin to envision their future paths. Research consistently shows that strong academic performance and meaningful engagement during these years are key predictors of success in high school and beyond. By investing strategically in this developmental window, Warren is ensuring that students build the foundational skills, confidence, and support systems necessary to thrive in high school and graduate ready for college, career, and life.
A centerpiece of this plan is the implementation of the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program across Warren’s intermediate and middle schools. AVID, a nationally recognized model, is proven to increase academic performance, close opportunity gaps, and boost college readiness. Through WICOR strategies: writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading, students will develop essential habits of mind that prepare them for success in rigorous coursework and future pathways. AVID-trained teachers will foster high expectations and provide students with the tools and confidence to meet them.
In addition to AVID, MSD Warren Township will hire a team of Academic Acceleration Specialists who will lead the district’s efforts to identify and close academic skill gaps in literacy and mathematics. These specialists will work closely with school teams to analyze student data, design targeted instructional strategies, and deliver evidence-based interventions that accelerate student learning. Their work will be particularly focused on helping students reach and exceed grade-level expectations through a combination of direct instruction, small-group support, and collaboration with classroom teachers. By embedding these specialists into school communities, Warren aims to ensure that academic interventions are timely, strategic, and aligned to each student’s individual needs.
To further support the whole child, the district will expand its mental and physical well-being services and supports by hiring six full-time social workers, with two serving each intermediate and middle school campus. These professionals will provide proactive support to students and families, offer counseling services, and coordinate access to mental and physical well-being resources. As trusted partners in each school, they will also play a critical role in strengthening family engagement, removing barriers to learning, and fostering safe, inclusive school environments. This investment reflects Warren’s belief that academic achievement and emotional well-being must go hand-in-hand to create the conditions necessary for student success.
The grant will support a significant expansion of extracurricular programming at the elementary and intermediate/middle school levels. By increasing access to youth sports, clubs, arts, and other enrichment opportunities, MSD Warren Township aims to foster a greater sense of belonging, promote leadership development, and enhance student engagement beyond the classroom. These programs are especially critical during the formative years of grades 5–8, helping students build confidence, strengthen peer relationships, and discover personal interests that contribute to their overall growth and well-being.
In addition, the grant will provide for comprehensive professional development for educators across the district. This includes training to support the effective implementation of new curriculum resources in English Language Arts, mathematics, and services for multilingual learners. Through strategic consulting partnerships, the district will ensure that all instructional improvements are grounded in research, aligned with student needs, and supported by measurable goals for impact. This investment in staff capacity is key to ensuring consistent, high-quality instruction that drives academic achievement for all students.
“Warren’s plan is ambitious, research-driven, and rooted in the belief that all students deserve access to meaningful opportunities for growth and success,” said Dr. Tim Hanson, Superintendent of MSD Warren Township. “We are grateful to the Lilly Endowment for investing in our students’ futures and excited to deepen our impact in partnership with our families, staff, and community.”
The district has already begun early planning efforts and is excited to fully launch these grant-funded initiatives in the 2025–2026 school year. In the coming months, students, families, staff, and community members will start to see the impact of this investment, through expanded student supports, stronger academic interventions, and new extracurricular opportunities that help every child feel more connected, confident, and ready for what comes next. These efforts are all rooted in our belief that when we invest in our students during these critical middle years, we’re shaping their future success in high school, college, and life.
This work is especially powerful because it reflects the ideas and priorities of the Warren community. Many of the initiatives outlined in our plan were shaped by the feedback we received from students, staff, and families through surveys conducted in the fall of 2024, as well as through thoughtful conversations during our October 2024 Community Dinner event. Your input made it clear that academic growth, meaningful relationships, mental and physical well-being support, and access to enrichment opportunities are top priorities. As we bring these initiatives to life, we remain committed to ongoing communication and collaboration. Throughout the year, we’ll share regular updates on our progress, highlighting what’s working, celebrating successes, and ensuring our community stays connected to the work. Whether it’s through newsletters, school events, or online platforms, you’ll see how your voice continues to shape the future of Warren!
Lilly Endowment is making grants to private schools in Indianapolis through a separate, complementary initiative.
About Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.