The Lincoln Academy News and Events
Lincoln Academy announces partnership with Wisconsin Reading Corps
Beloit Daily News, May 19, 2021
As The Lincoln Academy enrollment reaches 395, those with the school announced its designation as a Wisconsin Reading Corps site for the 2021-2022 school year, its mascot, colors and other programming in the works.
A program of AmeriCorps, Reading Corps specifically focuses on reading literacy for students in kindergarten through Grade 3.
Reading is the foundation of all learning, however in Wisconsin, over half of children struggle to read by third grade, said The Lincoln Academy CEO Kristi Cole.
The Lincoln Academy is awarded ENERGY STAR designation
Beloit Daily News, May 11, 2021
With 75% of the building now complete, The Lincoln Academy, a three-story, 4K-12 independent public charter school, is nearly ready for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. The project is being awarded the ENERGY STAR design rating.
According to ENERGY STAR, the rating is “awarded to commercial and multifamily high rise new construction projects that have been verified that the estimated energy use meets strict U.S. EPA criteria and received an ENERGY STAR 1—100 score of 75 or higher.” This means that the school building is designed to perform better than 75% of comparable buildings that are being built today.
The Lincoln Academy announces principal hire
Beloit Daily News, April 1, 2021
Samuel Karns has been selected as the principal of the Lincoln Academy as the school reached a total of 381 enrolled students on Thursday, or 95% of the enrollment goal of 400 students. The school has hired 65% of its staff, said CEO Kristi Cole.
Cole said Karns is a wonderful fit for The Lincoln Academy’s mission, and will lead the school in graduating 100 percent of scholars to be college and career ready.
The Lincoln Academy enrolls 377 students, wait list for 4K
Beloit Daily News - Mar. 10, 2021
As of Wednesday, The Lincoln Academy had accepted 377 students out of its target of 400 students with a majority of them coming from the Beloit School District, according to data provided by The Lincoln Academy.
“The response to open enrollment was overwhelmingly positive,” said CEO Kristi Cole in an interview Wednesday. “We’ve reached 94% of our enrollment target and will continue to accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis until all grades are full.”
Lincoln Academy predicts gap between state funding and educational costs
Beloit Daily News - Mar. 1, 2021
The Lincoln Academy charter school will receive less government funding for its students than traditional public schools.
The resulting financial gap will be filled by the Hendricks Family Foundation in the first five years, along with other private funding commitments, donations and potential grants.
“Because of school finance policies, charter schools throughout the country must always do more with less and must raise private resources such as grants, private donations and sponsorships in order to fund school operations. The same will be true for The Lincoln Academy,” said Kids First Beloit Board of Directors Secretary Lisa Furseth.
Lincoln Academy construction on schedule
Beloit Daily News - Jan. 25, 2021
Construction on The Lincoln Academy is about 60% complete, with opening on schedule for July 2021.
With technical education lab spaces, breakout rooms and visible mechanical and electrical systems, the school has many features to foster teachable moments and hands-on learning.
“We were able to build a state-of-the-art facility in which every decision we make is focused on the best interests of the scholar,” said CEO Kristi Cole.
The Lincoln Academy Lions!
The Lincoln Academy is proud to announce our new logo for The Lincoln Academy Lions!
Lincoln Academy adds another grade and 50 more slots for students
Beloit Daily News - Jan. 19, 2021
BELOIT — The Lincoln Academy will be adding one additional grade, or 50 more slots for students this fall.
The Kids First Board of Directors approved adding grade 6 to the school plan at a December meeting in order to better prepare students for higher level courses in high school.
Original plans called for 4K to second grades and seventh through ninth in the first year. With the addition of sixth grade, the school will go from being able to take 350 students in the first year to 400, Cole said.
Lincoln Academy enrollment opens Feb. 1
Beloit Daily News - Jan. 19, 2021
BELOIT — Enrollment for The Lincoln Academy will run from Feb. 1-28, according to CEO Kristi Cole.
The application period will be available online on Feb. 1 at TheLincolnAcademyBeloit.com. Parents can apply in person Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at The Lincoln Academy office located at 55 Eclipse Center.
An enrollment fair will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eclipse Center with staff to answer questions and a Spanish interpreter. Cookies and cocoa will be served. Registration is required and can be arranged by contacting Jen Tropp at or 608-473-0246.
Lincoln Academy to start enrollment Feb. 1
Beloit Daily News - Nov. 16, 2020
BELOIT — Student enrollment is planned to start Feb. 1 and staff hiring and recruitment is underway at The Lincoln Academy charter school.
Plans shaping up for Lincoln Academy
Beloit Daily News - June 3, 2020
BELOIT — Kids First Beloit announced construction will begin at The Lincoln Academy, 608 Henry St. this month and provided architectural renderings of the soon-to-be-built school.
UW approves Lincoln Academy charter school
Beloit Daily News - May 18, 2020
BELOIT—The University of Wisconsin, Office of Educational Opportunity (OEO) issued a conditional approval of the charter school application for The Lincoln Academy on May 15.