Lincoln Elementary School

Posted: September 7, 2022

Although Lincoln could be a bit more Structured in the learning as far as, making sure kids are learning how to spell with spelling quizzes or some kind of pressure on their performance to help the children want to be better and making sure children are setting goals to meet a personal goal or something to strive for. Just to set up for college. it has so many wonderful unique experiences for the children like the garden, the wetlands, the community within the children and teachers and because of the mixed aged classrooms. It would be awesome if they also added more life skills and unique things like crocheting, cursive, calligraphy. The teachers seem to like to work at Lincoln and I know Lincoln has been absolutely amazing for our son. The communication is excellent from the staff as well as parent to parent. It's a really beautiful community to be a part of.

Posted: September 7, 2022

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Posted: November 6, 2021

The teachers are so tuned in with every child and meet kids where they are socially and academically. It's been a gift for our whole family. Our children would probably be bullied somewhere else, and they are thriving!!

Posted: November 6, 2021

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Posted: December 1, 2017

Lincoln is everything that it promises parents and students that it will never be. It says it is diverse and tolerant, yet bullies any member who do not accept their excessively liberal dogma. It is now testing at only 30% of its students reaching basic understanding of state standards. It doesn't support handicap children. It shames kids for being smart. This is honestly the worst elementary school in all of Olympia.

Posted: December 1, 2017

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Posted: August 13, 2017

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Posted: August 13, 2017

There is a strong emphasis on community.

Posted: August 13, 2017

Posted: August 13, 2017

On our second generation at Lincoln. It has helped me become the person I am. I'm confident the same will happen for my kids.

Posted: June 1, 2017

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Posted: June 1, 2017

awesome, had lots of great teachers, and really good learning environment

Posted: October 12, 2016

Posted: October 12, 2016

Posted: October 12, 2016

Posted: October 12, 2016

Children are not discouraged from bullying and teachers can be very unkind to students often times in front of other students and parents.

Posted: October 12, 2016

Posted: October 12, 2016

Posted: October 12, 2016

The principal is not good at her job. She doesn't listen to children or their parents and shows poor judgment. The academic instruction is sub-par. There is also a rampant bullying problem that the principal and staff are unable to control.

Posted: September 22, 2016

I had heard wonderful things about Lincoln, but we lived out of district so it wasn’t an option for us. After several years of traditional elementary education at Black Lake Elementary, we decided the competitive culture we encountered there lacked depth, creativity, and a thoughtful vision. It just wasn’t a good fit for our daughter. We really wanted better. We took the plunge and sold our house and moved into the Lincoln neighborhood. This was the best decision we have made in years. We soon found out that the kids don’t just go to Lincoln--like any other school--the whole family is welcomed and invited to participate in this inspirational learning community. My children are absolutely thriving at Lincoln and I am so grateful that this alternative school exists. The teachers, the families, the principal…4 years later I am still in awe.

Posted: September 22, 2016

The principal takes care in each incident to find a solution and listen to the students. Not take sides or believe one child's story over the other.

Posted: September 22, 2016

Posted: September 22, 2016

Posted: September 22, 2016

Social and emotional growth takes precedent to testing and competition. Students are learning to work within a community.

Posted: September 22, 2016

Teachers meet the students where they are. Teachers do the job of educating each student fairly and with positive encouragement.

Posted: September 22, 2016

The homework provided is thoughtful and useful. Not just busy work assigned to give the impression of progress.

Posted: July 18, 2015

Posted: March 28, 2015

The school's mission statement does not match what they actually teach. They do not work with student's who need extra help, they do not follow up on problems, they ignore bullying, the biggest problem is there is a serious lack of teacher communication to families. Pretty much everything that they said they were at enrollment they completely failed to follow through on. I have heard the same complaints from many others. They claim they are about community, but I guess that's only if they invite you in and accept you in their community. Their focus needs to be put on the children and helping them to succeed and feel comfortable there. The only thing that we liked about the school in the end was the garden.

Posted: August 18, 2014

You'd be hard-pressed to find a family more liberal and "hippy" than ours - perfect candidates for Lincoln, right? After two years we've had enough of this fake "holistic educational environment". The staff is judgmental, unprofessional, and have zero respect for family's privacy. If you are deemed worthy you'll be treated with "kindness" if not...good luck. Parents are also judgmental and not very friendly unless you've got something they want. I've heard other schools in the neighborhood are much friendlier. I was feeling heartbroken about leaving Lincoln until I reminded myself that their culture of love and kindness was a facade. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone

Posted: May 10, 2014

The parent who wrote that IEPs are not implemented was spot-on. The SLP never delivered specified speech services, complained to us about other students and families by name, was pushy and pedantic, and twice offered to drive our child places (not school activities). Creepy! A parent even contacted us to express concern about how the SLP behaved with our child. The principal seems responsive when you share concerns but never follows through. We really didn't want to remove our child from familiar surroundings and friends, but finally decided that it would be best. Our child has had a very nice school year out of the area, and we wish that we'd never taken a chance on Lincoln. Other families we know that also left but remained in OSD say they've had better experiences at Roosevelt, ORLA, and Hansen. Hope this helps, and best of luck with your search.

Posted: February 27, 2014

I have two children at Lincoln and we have been there for 4 years. This school has been a perfect fit for our family. Students are given freedom to make choices, are encouraged to think critically, learn how to work collaboratively, and are cared for by the teachers and staff. Don't let test scores fool you - the MSP doesn't assess critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, empathy, or kindness. We have been very happy with the teaching at Lincoln - my children are learning to be curious, ask questions, take risks, and to not be afraid to make mistakes. I think Lincoln helps students learn to think for themselves rather than sit and listen to a teacher tell them how to think. Students learn to make choices based on what is good for their community, not because a teacher tells them what to do or not do.

Posted: January 23, 2014

We totally bought into the utopian vision for the school, the lovely garden, chickens, parent-involved school, hands on learning, the assemblies, special events. We thought my child would be allowed to excel, but it seems that is limited at Lincoln and greater at the "regular" schools. We put in our volunteering, but many parents did not. The time in the "wetland" is very limited - described by my child as a stinky place. The school currently has a problem with bullying on the bus and playground. Many families have left because of this.

Posted: May 27, 2013

Lincoln was a transformational school for me. I attended in 1990's, and it inspired me to be the creative and successful person I am today. The classroom experience was fluid, the teacher capitalized on so many "teachable" moments and did a fantastic job of unlocking each child's curiosity about learning. While there were a few gaps in my knowledge base going into middle school, the thirst for knowledge that Lincoln imbued in me allowed me to swiftly catch up. You can teach the facts, but Lincoln teaches you an approach to education.

Posted: September 27, 2012

While the teachers are very loving to the students, the academic push is just not there. If you are already planning on a home schooling program, Lincoln is a great way to develop good social and communication skills for your child but I would not use it as the sole educational toolset for a budding mind.

Posted: August 12, 2012

When my child started at Lincoln 5 years ago it was a good program with great leadership. After a regime change things have slipped and now your childs experience depends greatly on luck of the draw with teachers. It's a good premise teaching community values and a sense of public and personal responsibility, however the teaching of organization and prepping the kids for success in a non-alternative middle school is severely lacking. My child is entering the 5th grade this year and I am currently searching for a new school. Over the last 5 years many other parents I have spoken with are also disillusioned. If your child has an IEP it is your responsibility to follow up on everything, there is a lot of talk with no action or follow through. Sorry to say but currently if I were looking for a school to start my childs education it would not be Lincoln.

Posted: November 12, 2011

It all depends on the teacher in this school. Many seem to struggle with setting boundaries for the children and their classroom management is poor. It is as if they think that setting classroom rules and sticking to them is oppressive. They should attend a Love and Logic training. There are a few teachers (but 2 of the good ones just retired) who can manage their classrooms effectively and teach incredibly engaging, thematic curricula, but others are a mess and the principal doesn't seem to be able to do anything to remedy it.

Posted: July 6, 2011

This school is an amazing school that emphasizes learning to think over teaching to the standardized tests. Whether your child has special needs or not, the school does its best to meet each and every child's needs. If your child is a round peg and is having trouble fitting into the square hole at Pioneer or one of the other schools in Olympia School District, then Lincoln is the school for your child. I am very greatful that the school district had such a wonderful alternative program for my "round peg" child! I can't say enough good things about the principal, the school counselor, the speech and language therapist, the classroom teachers, and the science teacher - they are all wonderful and very committed to helping the children become the best students that they can be. I would definitely recommend sending any child to this school.

Posted: June 5, 2011

Creative, inspiring, nurturing, diverse, supportive and enriching. Lincoln is an exceptional environment for young minds to flourish. Culturally, the school aligns with Olympia's artsy, eclectic, independent, lefty ethos. It is to schools what Procession of the Species is to parades. Maybe that's not for everyone. But I'm proud our community supports this truly unique and exceptional learning environment. The environment is so rich -- from the library, to the garden, to the many dedicated parents and the complete dedication of the entire staff. Everyone is treated with utmost respect. There are very few schools in the country like this one and we are incredibly fortunate to have Lincoln in our community. Transferring to Lincoln completely changed my son s elementary school experience it s as if his world went from dull black-&-white to vivid Technicolor. This school is absolutely exceptional.

Posted: May 22, 2011

This is our first year at this amazing school. I'm often touched and astonished at how the kids at this school are made aware of the world through their education. My kindergartener is reading, writing, and completing math problems without a second glance. I volunteer in the class and I see how the teacher helps those who need it both academically and socially. There is emphasis put on responsibility of actions, words, choices and academics. They have learned about owls, whales and movers and shakers i.e. people who create social change through peaceful actions. These kids put their hearts into everything that they do from writing folders to estimating the length of a blue whale outside in the sun. The teachers here greet everyone with a smile, and are there for you whenever you have questions or concerns. I think all of Olympia schools are wonderful and have an active community. However, Lincoln offers a place for kids to express their learning through writing, art, music, speech and community involvement, creating responsible thinking adults who will create change in a positive way. Like any education, it still requires active parents to help further their children's thinking.

Posted: March 9, 2011

I would not recommend this school for anyone. They claim to support a kind and caring community. Not so. It's all talk and no action. Your children will not get a good education there. The teachers all need to retire. There is no learning going on there. The classroom management is atrocious. Kids are allowed to be rude and disruptive.

Posted: March 5, 2011

This school does have a very loving community, but be prepared to have your son/daughter be behind in almost every subject when they go to middle school. We pulled our child out due to the overall lack of discipline the school has as well as the poor academics. There is very little structure (which some kids do very well with), but can be a nightmare for kids that need it and need more advanced, structured learning. Great school for artsy kids with flexible learing styles. HORRIBLE for kids who need structure and advanced learning and well defined boundaries and rules.

Posted: October 12, 2010

this is an options program (an alternative school) within a public school district. in order to maintain the highest level of educational possibility, we depend upon parents to donate their time and skills both within the classroom and out. teachers are highly educated and strive to go way beyond the normal expectations of a normal elementary school. this is an exceptional program that graduates kids that ask questions, are able to create on their own and display a high level of social maturity and dedication to community and worldly causes.

Posted: May 7, 2010

They are taking good care of my grand-nephew. A caring staff and active parents. Providing a good education and still letting kids be kids.

Posted: April 13, 2008