Lawrence Knight grew up in Danville, Virginia where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry at Virginia State College. After moving to Anne Arundel County, he taught science for 11 years at Wiley H. Bates High School. He became principal of Broadneck High School where he is credited for the achievement in academics and athletics. The peninsula high school was recognized by the United States Department of Education as one of Maryland’s top schools, producing three National Merit Scholars, having teachers of the year and 88 % of its students attended college. While principal, the drop-out rate reduced from 5% to 1.9% in three years the number of advanced placement courses offered increased to 31 classes which were taken by 25% of the student body.