The Lincoln Acadmey
The Lincoln Academy – A Commitment to Scholar Success Founded in the fall of 2021, The Lincoln Academy (TLA) is a K4-12 public charter school serving Wisconsin residents and committed to reflecting the diversity of Beloit. TLA was built with input from the Beloit community and is chartered through the University of Wisconsin Office of Educational Opportunity.
Access and equity drives TLA as an innovative, high-quality, free public-school option. “We expect ALL scholars to graduate from high school with a clear pathway to success,” says Dr. Kristi Cole, Chief Education Officer at TLA. “Our vision is to be the premier K4-12 school in the state of Wisconsin providing college and career pathways for scholars to lead happy, choice-filled lives.”
The TLA educational model focuses on three pillars:
Academic Rigor
Our explicit instruction and experiential learning model ensures scholars have fundamental academic skills and a strong understanding of the role education plays in careers, economic prosperity, and life choices. TLA offers an extensive complement of specials, exploratories and electives. At the high school level, Advanced Placement and dual credit courses are available on campus in core content areas.
Character Development
Character development is built into the culture of our uniformed school, providing opportunities for scholars to explore ways they can uniquely contribute to the world around them. In addition to explicit teaching of character virtues, an annual school-wide Service-Learning Day takes place each spring and middle and high school scholars must complete service-based learning hours as a graduation requirement.
Career Exploration
The extensive focus on career exploration from K4 through 12th grade uniquely sets TLA apart. We intentionally integrate career exploration across our curriculum, beginning a scholar’s journey of interests and goal setting, including the creation of an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP), starting in K5. Eighth grade scholars present their ILP to a community panel in preparation for entry to high school and high school scholars complete a sophomore year job shadow and an internship or Youth Apprenticeship during their Junior and Senior year as a graduation requirement. On campus course offerings also provide opportunities for scholars to graduate with career-ready certifications and college credit.
TLA’s seamless K4-12 model gives scholars, staff, and families as many as 14 years at TLA to build strong relationships, shared accountability, and a joyful school community. “Our work to create school culture is intentional,” says Dr. Cole. Policies that promote daily attendance and shared accountability for scholar success, including an annual Commitment to Success for families, scholars, and staff, all support a positive learning environment. The school community also celebrates learning, hard work and achievement related to academic, professional, and social successes through classroom celebrations, incentive field trips, school assemblies and awards ceremonies.
TLA recently received its first state report card rating from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction earning 4-stars – Exceeds Expectations. “We do believe all children can learn and rise to the expectations we set, and we hold ourselves accountable for giving scholars the supports needed to meet those expectations,” says Dr. Cole. “Beloit is an incredibly generous community. No matter the need, there is always a community partner stepping forward to support scholar learning, enrichment, and exploration.”
The Lincoln Academy is the home of the Lions and offers after-school clubs for scholars at all levels, esports, and year-round athletic opportunities for middle and high schoolers.
Learn more about The Lincoln Academy at The Lincoln Academy | Public Charter School in Beloit, Wisconsin.