May is one of my favorite times of year at TLA. Not just because we are able to reflect upon all that we’ve been able to accomplish in another successful school year, but because it gives us a meaningful opportunity to recognize the people who make our vision come to life each and every day. During Staff Appreciation Month in May, I find myself reflecting on what I’ve seen across our school in recent weeks. I see scholars leaning into the challenge of spring assessments with focus and determination. I see pride and excitement as they prepare projects, artwork, and hands-on work for our upcoming Scholar Showcase. I see collaboration in our labs, creativity in our classrooms, and growth in ways both big and small. Behind every one of those moments is a dedicated educator, staff member, or team working together to make it possible. When we talk about our Three Pillars - Academic Rigor, Character Development, and Career Exploration - I see them in action because of YOU; the wonderful and talented staff at TLA. Academic Rigor lives in the high expectations you set and the support you provide to help every scholar reach them. Character Development is reflected in the relationships you build through consistency, care, and the belief that who our scholars become matters just as much as what they achieve. And Career Exploration comes to life through the meaningful, real-world experiences you create that helps scholars connect their learning to their future. This is not easy work. It requires patience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to our scholars. What continues to stand out to me is how our team consistently shows up. Not just individually, but collectively. There is a shared sense of purpose at TLA, and it is felt in the way you support one another and support our scholars every day. That same spirit is carrying us forward as we prepare for our next chapter. The continued focus on our values of Children First, Trusting Community, Get It Done, Community Focus and Find the Joy truly makes a difference in all that we do. With our expansion underway, there is a visible sense of momentum building across our campus. Alongside that excitement, there are also the day-to-day adjustments and unknowns that come with growth. Through it all, I see a team that remains focused, flexible, and optimistic. You are not only navigating this moment—you are helping shape what TLA will become for future generations of scholars. This team is creating an impact on the Beloit community and beyond that is showing what is possible with hard work and always putting children first. That is the TLA way. For that, and for so much more, I am deeply grateful. Thank you for the care you show, the effort you give, and the belief you bring into this work each day. Thank you for the countless moments—both seen and unseen—that make a lasting difference in the lives of our scholars. This month, we celebrate YOU! And every day, we are better because of you. Thank you TLA staff. You are simply the best.

One of the greatest joys in leading our school is witnessing our vision come to life. Not in theory, but in the everyday experiences of our scholars. Our three pillars: Academic Rigor, Character Development, and Career Exploration are not just ideas we talk about. They are essential components we see in action each day, shaping how our scholars learn, grow, and engage with the world around them. I see Character Development in the way scholars show up for one another. In classrooms, in hallways, and across activities - they demonstrate respect, resilience, and a growing sense of responsibility; not just for themselves, but for their community. I see Academic Rigor in full force this spring. Whether it’s through state assessments or daily coursework, our scholars are leaning into challenges with perseverance. They are learning that growth often comes through effort, and that success is built over time through commitment and determination. And I see Career Exploration providing scholars with a true sense of pride in their accomplishments that comes from meaningful, hands-on learning. Scholars are eager to share their work. We see this at this time of year from the welding and construction labs as scholars prepare for our upcoming Scholar Showcase in May. These moments reflect not only skill development, but also confidence, creativity, and ownership. I’m also reminded of the powerful stories shared by our seniors during their Individual Learning Plan presentations earlier this year. Each story reflected an individual journey; one marked by perseverance, self-discovery, and a clear vision for what comes next. These are moments that stay with you, because they represent the culmination of years of growth. What we are seeing in our scholars today is exactly what fuels our vision for the future. As we look ahead to our expansion, it is this kind of learning - deeply engaging, personalized, and purpose-driven - that we are working to create more space for. Growth is not simply about adding capacity; it is about expanding opportunity. It is about ensuring that more scholars have access to an environment where they are known, supported, and challenged to pursue happy, choice-filled lives. At the heart of it all, we celebrate our scholars for who they are and what they aspire to become. While we are excited to guide and support them, their achievements are entirely their own. They are the ones putting in the work, overcoming obstacles, and defining their futures. Our role is to create the conditions where that can happen. To promote each scholar’s unique dreams and desires, and to ensure they have the tools and opportunities to pursue them. That is why it is so meaningful to see our framework taking shape in real, tangible ways. Not just in plans or programs, but in the lived experiences of our scholars every single day. And what we are seeing gives us every reason to be excited about what lies ahead.

At The Lincoln Academy, everything we do is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: Children first. Our Three Pillars: Academic Rigor, Character Development, and Career Exploration are not just guiding ideas. They are commitments we make to our scholars and to families every day. As we prepare to break ground on our campus expansion on April 3, we are excited to share how this next chapter is a direct investment in those commitments - and why it matters so deeply that our families are part of this historic moment. Academic Rigor: Creating Space for Deeper Learning Academic Rigor thrives when scholars have the space, tools, and environments needed to think critically, collaborate, and explore ideas deeply. Our expansion is designed to do exactly that. With additional lab spaces, a larger culinary lab, a Mac computer lab, expanded science, art, and construction labs, quiet study spaces, and enhanced Special Education areas, we are intentionally creating learning environments that support both challenge and accessibility. These spaces will allow scholars to engage in hands-on, project-based learning, receive targeted support, and pursue academic excellence in ways that reflect how they learn best. This is about more than square footage. It’s about removing barriers, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that more children can experience learning that is both rigorous and innovative. Character Development: Designing Spaces That Build Community Character is shaped not only by what we teach, but by how we gather, collaborate, and care for one another. Our expansion includes green spaces, a Career Community Hub, scholar collaboration spaces, improved drop-off and pick-up areas, expanded parking, and safer, more efficient bus lanes—all designed with families and scholars in mind. Inside the building, new community and quiet spaces will give scholars room to reflect, study, connect, and recharge. A larger gymnasium, stage, and additional music spaces will provide opportunities for teamwork, leadership, discipline, and creative expression. These are essential components of Character Development that extend well beyond the classroom. By designing spaces that foster belonging, responsibility, and collaboration, we are reinforcing the values we work to instill every day. Career Exploration: Learning That Connects to the Real World Career Exploration has always been a cornerstone of our model, and this expansion allows us to take it even further. Additional lab spaces, culinary lab, expanded business classroom, additional NJROTC classroom, cybersecurity classroom, school store, concessions area, and additional technology resources will give scholars meaningful exposure to real-world skills and additional career pathways. These environments are intentionally designed to mirror professional settings, helping scholars connect learning to life beyond school. Whether a scholar is interested in entrepreneurship, technology, construction trades, culinary arts, Fine Arts, or business, these new spaces will make exploration more immersive, practical, and inspiring. A Shared Milestone for Our TLA Family Breaking ground on April 3 marks more than the start of construction. It is the physical expression of our desire to make high-quality, innovative learning accessible to more children in this community. We are especially excited to invite families into this moment. During Spring Conferences on April 1 and April 2, we will host special TLA Groundbreaking Celebration Activities so our scholars and families can be part of this milestone together. More details will be shared soon, and we hope you will join us in celebrating what we are building—literally and figuratively. This expansion exists because of our scholars, our families, our staff, and our community. It reflects your trust, your partnership, and your belief in what’s possible when we invest in our children. Thank you for being part of TLA’s story! The future we are building belongs to all of us. And we cannot wait to watch it take shape together.

It is the start of a new school year and I am so excited to feel the energy that comes from having our scholars and families back at The Lincoln Academy bringing the joy and focused on new academic growth, hands-on career exploration and continuing to build a strong community . As we push forward into year two, it feels like a good time to reflect on what we were able to accomplish for our founding year and how that experience guides us in this new school year. The Building Blocks We built a new facility from the ground up, hired over 70 staff and enrolled over 400 scholars in a brand new K-12 charter school within a year - all in the middle of a national pandemic in a community unfamiliar with charter schools. We like a good challenge at TLA and we simply could not have done it without the incredible support we received from the Beloit community! Accomplishments & Activities In our first year, and with the guidance of our talented Governing Board and our dedicated staff, The Lincoln Academy team maintained the vision of putting children first in every decision made and showed what is possible for all children. Our three pillars of academic rigor, character development and career exploration came to life and the vision for TLA became reality. During our founding year: Scholars achieved strong academic growth as evidenced by Spring MAP results 673 Character Awards were received by scholars 98% of K5-2 and 6-9 grade scholars completed Xello career curriculum lessons 100% of scholars in 8th grade presented their Individualized Learning Plan Two dual credit and 130+business partnerships supported career exploration 1300 Service Learning hours were logged by scholars Parent and scholar feedback indicated strong satisfaction related to learning, friendships and safety Opportunities for career exploration also received high marks from both parents and middle/high school scholars. Ensuring scholars lead a happy, choice-filled life is at the center of all we do. To learn in more detail about The Lincoln Academy's founding year scholars, activities and survey feedback, I encourage you to take a look at our 2021-2022 Year in Review . The Work Continues Experience from the past year guides us as we continue to strive for excellence. We have work to do in all three pillars as well as focusing on communication and connectivity of staff, families and scholars. We will continue to push ourselves in these areas and to always be our best in serving the Beloit community and making The Lincoln Academy the premier school in the state for our scholars. I know we also still have some work to do to help our community continue to develop an accurate understanding of charter schools. Like everything else in life, we are not all the same and that can create some confusion. In my next post, I hope to clarify some of the confusion and provide information that helps foster greater understanding of charter schools. Dr. Kristi Cole is the Chief Education Officer at The Lincoln Academy in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Given current discussions regarding State education spending and local school budgets, I thought it would be helpful to offer some answers and perspectives regarding charter school funding. I will try to keep it simple but apologize in advance – one take away – school funding is incredibly complicated (an unfortunate fact for taxpayers). First to set the stage, The Lincoln Academy (TLA) is an Independent Public Charter School (2x), authorized by the UW Office of Educational Opportunity (OEO). 2x schools were enabled by statute in 2015 (S. 118.40). 2x schools can be authorized by the OEO, any UW Chancellor, any Technical College District Board, the college of Menominee Nation, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College and the Waukesha County Executive. TLA was the first 2x authorized outside the City of Madison and is now one of twelve, 2x schools in WI. There are four types of charter schools in WI – Instrumentality, Non-Instrumentality, 2r Independent Charter Schools and 2x Independent Charter Schools. Each of these is funded differently. For simplicity's sake, I will limit our funding discussion to TLA and 2x schools. Funding for Independent Charter Schools (2x) Students enrolled in 2x schools are counted by their resident school district when the district calculates their revenue limit and general aid. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) reduces the aid to those districts in the amount equal to the charter school payment ($9,264 for 2022-23); the resident school district is allowed to retain the remainder of their per member revenue. Revenue limits vary from one district to the next so the amount that may be retained will vary based on the home district of the student. How does this impact the Beloit School District? Based on the TLA 2022-23 September count we estimate serving 451 FTE scholars who are residents of the Beloit School District. Step 1. The Beloit School District will count these scholars for revenue limit purposes. 451 x $10,039 (DPI published revenue limit worksheet for 2022-23) = $4,527,589. Step 2. DPI will calculate the charter school per pupil payment. 451 x $9,264 (Independent Charter School Payment) = $4,178,064. Step 3. DPI will send an amount equal to the charter school per pupil calculation to TLA (2x schools) in quarterly payments. The amount may be adjusted based on the January count; unlike traditional districts, independent charter schools only receive funding for actual scholars in seats. Step 4. The resident district is allowed to retain the difference between the revenue limit calculation and the charter payment. In this example, the Beloit School District would retain $349,525 for scholars they do not serve. Note: Revenue limits vary from one year to the next so this should be read as an example. Does TLA receive funding from the District? TLA is funded directly by the Department of Public Instruction and does not receive any funding from the Beloit School District (or any other any traditional school district). While the resident district includes a charter school expense in their budget documents, there is no financial relationship with TLA and they have no financial or educational responsibility to serve 2x scholars. We do understand this creates confusion for taxpayers. Does TLA receive other sources of public funding? TLA is eligible to receive some federal funding for serving low-income and English language learners. We also receive special education funding, though similar to traditional districts, special education funding is not sufficient to cover those costs. The total budgeted for these sources in 2022-23 is $244,443. This is an estimate and may vary. School Districts often receive a number of other ‘categorical’ aids and grants that are not factored into the revenue limit, including per pupil aid of $742 per member (2022-23). 2x schools do not receive per pupil aid and are not consistently eligible for other aids and grants. TLA was awarded a competitive charter school implementation grant from DPI in the amount of $750,625. These are one-time funds for start-up expenses during the first 4 years of operation. TLA is projected to receive a total of $1,608,845 in covid stimulus funds. These are one-time funds and must be used by September of 2024. What is the annual budget for TLA? The board approved budget for 2022-23 is $8,214,211. This equates to $15,676 per scholar. As we continue to add scholars, we project that figure will decrease and stabilize between $13,000 and $14,000/year. Does public funding cover the cost of your operations? Public charter schools, including TLA, annually raise contributions to cover the difference between public funding and actual costs. How does your income and expense compare with other school districts? Interested taxpayers can visit the DPI website for information about district revenues and costs. Unfortunately, the most recently available data is for 2020. School Financial Services Data Warehouse (wi.gov) One final note. The school funding formula results in the unfortunate reality that children from one school to the next are treated differently in terms of the level to which the public supports their education. Even if we isolate the discussion to traditional districts the range is vast; the low-revenue limit is $10,000 and the revenue limit for some districts is as high as $22,000 per student. Unfortunately, charter and choice students are valued even lower. In my mind this is something worthy of ongoing public discussion. Dr. Kristi Cole is the Chief Education Officer at The Lincoln Academy in Beloit, Wisconsin.

As another calendar year draws to a close, I’m filled with gratitude—for our scholars, for our families, and for the strong network of community partners who support every step of our journey. Our Beloit and surrounding community partners are truly inspiring and they are always willing to go the extra mile to support our scholars.  We have an amazing network of people who care deeply about the success of our scholars and our future. Connecting Career Exploration & Community From the very beginning, we have emphasized how our community partners—local businesses, civic organizations, and caring individuals—make our scholars’ learning experiences more impactful, more hands-on, and deeply rooted in Beloit. That remains as true today as ever. When community members speak in our classrooms, host job shadows, or mentor our scholars, they do far more than just share their time. They expand our scholars’ sense of what is possible. This partnership fuels our work-based learning model, which requires high school scholars to complete either a 90-hour Internship or a 450-hour youth apprenticeship before graduation. Our Career Exploration pillar is the bridge between classroom learning and real life—and thanks to our community partnerships, our scholars are walking across that bridge with confidence. Spotlight on Our Graduates We are fortunate to have strong ties throughout Beloit, and our graduates are already making meaningful contributions. Many alumni are working in careers aligned with the Individualized Learning Plans they developed while at TLA. Some have stayed in the community. Some have ventured out. Others have continued their education, entering college with both academic preparation and practical experience that will serve them well as they pursue happy, choice-filled lives. Our survey of our first graduating class shows that 74% of our scholars are currently attending college or technical school, 18% have entered the workforce, and 8% have joined the military. In other words, 100% of our graduates are pursuing a career pathway after high school. These numbers represent far more than just data points; they are stories of young people stepping confidently into their futures. We could not be prouder of our scholars. Looking Ahead: Re-enrollment As we look forward to 2026, I want to remind all current families, the re-enrollment window runs January 1–31, 2026. This is the time to secure your scholar’s place for the coming year so we can continue the momentum we’ve built together. Visit www.thelincolnacademybeloit.com/enroll  for details. Reaffirming Our Vision At TLA, we have always believed in more than just educating young people. We believe in transforming lives through community-centered, experiential learning. Our three pillars—Academic Rigor, Character Development, and Career Exploration—are not just statements to us. They form the foundation for action, for relationships, and for purpose. We are inspired by what we have built together so far and excited for what comes next. With our community’s continued support, we will keep expanding real pathways to careers, mentorship, and opportunity for our scholars. Together, we will continue building bridges, opening doors, and shaping futures filled with choices.

It’s hard to believe January is here and we’re already working on enrollment for fall 2024!  We are in the midst of re-enrolling current scholars for next school year and preparing for the annual February enrollment period for new scholars. Since this is a time when prospective parents are contemplating enrollment, it is also a good time to review why enrolling a new scholar during the February enrollment period is so important. The Enrollment Process 101   The Lincoln Academy is a 2x independent charter school, which Wisconsin State Statute defines as a public  school and Local Education Agency (LEA), legally required to provide a free  and appropriate education to all enrolled students, to accept all  children (limited only by State of Wisconsin residency and the number of seats available) and required to meet the needs of all students.   Each year, there is an enrollment process that takes place at The Lincoln Academy to determine enrollment for the following school year. As indicated earlier, during the month of January we work with families of current scholars to re-enroll for the coming year.  Once a scholar has a seat at TLA, they are guaranteed a seat the following year as long as they complete the re-enrollment process and provide the required proof of residency by January 31st.  During February, our annual enrollment period, The Lincoln Academy accepts applications for enrollment of new scholars for the coming school year. Beginning February 1st, the application is available online at Enrollment | The Lincoln Academy in Beloit, Wisconsin ( thelincolnacademybeloit.com )  or in-person weekdays between 8am and 3:30pm in the school office.   The application process for a new scholar involves completing the application and submitting both proof of Wisconsin residency and a copy of the scholar’s birth certificate. There are no  additional eligibility requirements and there is no cost to attend.   If more applications are received during the enrollment period than there are seats available for a grade-level in the coming year, a public random lottery is held in early March (March 12th this year) to determine enrollment for available seats and the waitlist order for the coming year.  Only completed applications submitted by midnight on the last day of February are eligible for the lottery process. If the lottery process is needed, TLA gives preference in the order as follows: 1.)    Scholars who were enrolled in the charter school in the previous year. 2.)    Siblings of scholars enrolled in the charter school.* 3.)    Children of full-time staff and TLA Board Members.   * Siblings are defined as: biological siblings that share parents, siblings that share a single parent, siblings that share a parent through marriage, children who share a parent through adoption or guardianship, siblings who reside in different households or foster children. We are often asked if applications for the next school year are only accepted during the enrollment period. The simple answer is no . Completed applications received after midnight on the last day of February are accepted and processed on a first-come, first-served basis. If a seat is available, the scholar will be enrolled for the new year.  If no seat is available, the scholar is placed on a waitlist in the order the application is received behind  lottery waitlisted scholars who applied during the February enrollment period.  If a scholar is placed on a waitlist and does not get in by January of the following year, they must reapply in February as a new waitlist starts in March once the lottery is completed.   You can find additional information on the enrollment and lottery process at The Lottery Process | The Lincoln Academy ( thelincolnacademybeloit.com ) . The Importance of Enrolling in February There are a couple of things to note around understanding importance of enrolling in February.  One is specific to this year’s enrollment period and 6th grade.  TLA is entering the final year of our ramp-up to fully serving scholars in grades K4-12.  Over the last three February enrollment periods, we enrolled a full class of new scholars into 6th grade for the coming school year. This will be the last year in which this occurs.  Next year, we anticipate a large percentage of enrolled 5th grade scholars re-enrolling into 6th grade for the 2025-2026 school year, reducing the number of seats available to future new scholars at that grade-level significantly.   Second, the TLA enrollment process is structured and provides as much equal access as possible in an environment where there is a finite number of seats available. We encourage everyone interested in enrolling their child to apply during the February enrollment period, as it provides the best opportunity for enrollment when there is high demand for a grade-level.   This does not mean, however, that there may not be less demand for seats or a short waitlist for a certain grade-level when a scholar applies at a different point in time.   While enrollment in an environment where there is a finite number of seats available is not guaranteed, the only certainty is that a scholar will not have a chance at enrollment if the application is not completed at all. Dr. Kristi Cole is the Chief Education Officer at The Lincoln Academy, a K4-12 independent 2x charter school in Beloit, Wisconsin.

With the start of a new school year at The Lincoln Academy comes a renewed sense of focus and purpose. Each September, we return not just to classrooms and hallways, but to a community grounded in shared values and a commitment to excellence. This year, we begin by highlighting TLA character virtues that are both practical and impactful: kindness and respect. Why These Virtues Matter Kindness and respect are more than polite gestures. They are deliberate choices to treat others with care, empathy, and patience. At TLA, we believe these virtues are the foundation upon which scholars grow into thoughtful leaders and responsible citizens. When kindness and respect are present, trust is built and collaboration is strengthened - contributing to a positive learning environment. Schools that intentionally cultivate kindness and respect see results. Scholars feel safe, included, and supported. Staff are able to work more effectively together. Families know their children are learning not only academics, but also habits of character that will serve them throughout their lives. Our Virtues in Action September’s focus on kindness and respect is not confined to classroom lessons. They are visible every day. Scholars reflect these virtues in their peer interactions, whether assisting each other in class or offering encouragement during activities. For them, kindness means respecting classmates, offering help, and being mindful of how words and actions affect others. Respect reinforces kindness by reminding scholars that every individual has value and deserves consideration-whether in group work, in the lunchroom, or on the playground. Teachers model it by demonstrating patience and compassion in the classroom. Staff share it daily through warm greetings and a willingness to help where needed. Kindness is reflected in the way they support one another and guide scholars with consistency and care, while respect ensures that diverse perspectives and professional contributions are valued. For families, kindness often serves as the bridge that connects home and school in a meaningful way, and respect deepens that connection by fostering trust, open communication, and mutual understanding. These moments may seem small, but together they shape a culture where respect, kindness, and responsibility thrive. Our staff prepared for this school year diligently over the summer, welcomed new colleagues to the team, and continuously engaged with community partners to advance our mission. Their professionalism and care demonstrate that kindness is not just an idea; it is integrated into how we work and how we serve. Over time, these virtues continue to become a part of our identity as a school community. Our Commitment As we continue with the school year, we encourage every member of our community—scholars, families, staff, and partners alike—to treat kindness and respect as daily responsibilities. Consider: How can I contribute to a positive environment today? How can I support someone else? How can I approach challenges with patience and perspective? When these questions guide our actions, our school culture grows stronger and our mission remains clear. The year ahead will bring both achievements and challenges. Through it all, kindness and respect will help us keep children first, strengthen our community, and maintain determination while finding joy in the process. We acknowledge the efforts of educators, staff, scholars, families, and community partners who together make The Lincoln Academy more than just a school. It is a place for learning, growth, and shared commitment to values that matter. Let us carry kindness and respect with us every day, so it solidifies as a powerful force that prepares our scholars not only for academic success, but also for purposeful, responsible, choice-filled lives.

I AM A MIGHTY LION I focus on rigorous academics, character development and career exploration. I am on a mission to discover my future and to lead a choice-filled life. I WILL  carry myself as a leader who shows courage and honesty . I WILL  serve others with kindness  and respect . I WILL  use my creativity  and find joy in all that I do. I WILL   cooperate  with others and show empathy and gratitude . I WILL be responsible , work hard and always do my best. I WILL show perseverance  and will welcome challenges as opportunities. I WILL  honor my community and my country. I AM A MIGHTY LION... HEAR ME ROAR! The TLA Proclamation is an integral part of school culture at TLA. It is recited at morning assembly, is visibly represented on the main stairway linking the three levels of the school and is integrated into all classroom and school activities. The guiding star for scholar expectations at TLA, the proclamation focuses on emphasizing qualities and virtues that will support scholars in successfully achieving their dreams well beyond their time at TLA. Accomplishments The Class of 2025, a class of 51 scholars and our first class to graduate, is the embodiment of the proclamation and has set a high bar for each of the classes that comes behind it. Consider these accomplishments by the Class of 2025: A 100% graduation rate. Over 460 college credits were earned by the class prior to high school graduation. Over $700,000 in scholarship dollars were secured by scholars. Over 2,300 documented service-learning hours in service to our community. Everyone completed an internship, with some completing multiple semesters. 42 industry recognized certificates earned. More than 20,300 hours of work-based learning were completed at 45 different work sites and at two distinct levels of Youth Apprenticeship (Level 1 at a minimum of 450 hours and Level 2 at a minimum of 900 hours). Apprenticeships were undertaken in the career pathways of: Hospitality, Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing, STEM, Business Administration, and Construction. To date, seniors have indicated their next step after graduation is: 47% - attending 2-year/technical college/training 30% - attending 4-year school 15% - entering the workforce 8% - entering the military Embracing Opportunities As impressive as their accomplishments as a group are, their individual experiences reflect a senior class that has embraced the opportunities available to them to learn, grow and explore while at TLA, preparing them for a future filled with choices. Although I would like to share every scholar's experience, because ALL our scholars are amazing, here are just a few examples of scholar experiences:  Adrean Adrean completed a Youth Apprenticeship (YA) at Scot Forge, working second shift in addition to attending class and participating in school activities like the Super Mileage Vehicle team. He said it sometimes made for long days and early mornings getting to school, but he enjoyed the work and took pride in finishing a machine repair by the end of his shift, even when it took a little extra time. Exposure to specialized repair work he enjoyed and a positive work environment at Scot Forge made an impression on Adrean. He will begin working in the Machine Shop at Scot Forge after graduation, with Scot Forge providing financial support for his continuing education in the Mechatronics Apprenticeship program at Blackhawk Technical College. Kemoria  - Kemoria has said that TLA pushed her to be her best version of herself; both finding herself and picking a career path perfect for her. A personal experience led her to realize how someone’s confidence can be impacted by a dental issue. She became interested in exploring the dental field and completed an internship at Clinton Family Dental, getting the opportunity to see how a clinic runs, how dental hygienists work with people, and to observe a variety of dental procedures. Kemoria was the captain of the cheer team and participated in the Start College Now program while at TLA, completing microbiology and about to complete a biochemistry course; both prerequisites for the Dental Hygiene major she will be undertaking while attending Blackhawk Technical College. Manny  – Manny graduated early this year and said he learned so much at TLA, crediting the teachers for their guidance. In late January, Manny headed out to Boot Camp, with a plan to become an Army Ranger, Special Forces. He is hoping to complete two contracts and then explore his interests outside of the military, possibly in government contracting or real estate. The military was not always part of Manny’s plan. He originally wanted to be an electrician. Manny explored hands-on classes like construction, welding, CNC, engineering, and robotics while at TLA, learning that he really enjoys working with his hands. Talking with family members, he realized the military could be a great path to continue to develop these and other skills in a way that would help him set himself up for a great future. We look forward to Manny returning to TLA for graduation having successfully completed Boot Camp! Emma – Emma credited the academic resources and opportunities that were available to her at TLA and some meaningful advice from one of her teachers during a freshman year study hall as really making an impact on her. She made a commitment to academics and immersed herself in a variety of opportunities while at TLA that included scholar council, drama club, and baseball. She explored her interest in healthcare by taking several healthcare courses and working in a variety of healthcare settings to learn about different career options in the field. In 2023, Emma was the youngest CNA in the state and worked at Riverside Terrace for a year. This year she is completing her Youth Apprenticeship at SSM St. Mary’s as a Medical Imaging Assistant, a career pathway more in line with her radiology interest. She is also working toward becoming a certified volunteer EMT. Emma said she feels confident her time at TLA allowed her to figure out her path and that she is more confident about what she can accomplish in the future. After graduation, Emma plans to pursue a major in Biology and continue to medical school for radiology. Carson - Carson has shared that TLA has helped him discover what he wants to do for his career. He has found a passion for teaching and has had the opportunity to experience teaching firsthand through his internship at The Lincoln Academy. He spent his entire senior year supporting our younger scholars and working with our PE teachers. He also took a referee class and learned how to referee for area school sports. Carson has participated in many sports at TLA and has led the baseball team through his pitching talents. He has also been one of the biggest fans and cheers for his classmates whenever he can. He is a true team player. Carson plans to attend Beloit College and get his teaching degree. He hopes to come back to The Lincoln Academy to teach someday, and I look forward to seeing that happen in the future!  Impact The Class of 2025 took a chance on TLA, and we are so thankful they did! They have been incredible role models, leading the way for younger scholars and using their voice in a constructive way to help us learn and grow as a new school. Time after time they have embraced opportunities and shown leadership, whether around the importance of committing to academics, modeling what it means to show good character at school and in the community, or positively representing TLA through hard work, demonstrating responsibility and respect, and a willingness to learn in their internship and apprenticeship workplaces. We are so proud of all they have accomplished and the incredible young leaders they have become. Here’s to the Class of 2025! We will miss them but cannot wait to see them ROAR into the future. GO LIONS! Dr. Kristi Cole is the Chief Education Officer at The Lincoln Academy, a K4-12 independent 2x charter school located in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Amazing. A simple word that describes something decidedly not simple; something startlingly impressive. It is the word I most often use in describing the staff at The Lincoln Academy, and it is 100% the right word. This week is Staff Appreciation Week at TLA, our annual celebration of our staff as a school community and the opportunity to shine the spotlight on our team! Amazing. A simple word that attempts to capture the impressive nature of what it means to be a TLA staff member and live our TLA values: Children First - Every decision we make is in the best interest of the scholars we serve. We are completely focused on their education and their well-being and we always act accordingly. Trusting Community - We model and expect transparency, honesty, open communication and respect to collaborate with one another and push each other to always be our best. Get it Done - – We are fiercely determined to do whatever it takes to ensure scholars reach their goals. Innovation and productivity will drive our quest. Find the Joy - The work is challenging. And in the face of those challenges, we choose joy. We choose positivity. We choose to find the wins. We choose to lift each other up. Community Focus - We work alongside our families and community partners to build alliances that afford our scholars unique learning opportunities. Shared voices will be honored and help us grow. Not only does every TLA staff member possess these qualities and live these values, but they bring them to our school community every day in a volume that is incredibly hard to quantify. The best representation I can think of to quantify this is to point to our 95%+ attendance rate. Our families and scholars know their presence matters, and that is because of our entire staff’s consistent and intentional focus on relationships, respect, and joy driven by our values and our three pillars. Amazing. A simple yet meaningful word meant to capture what it means to have a staff that has helped us to grow TLA into a school nearly double in size in just four years! Not an easy task by any stretch, but one that was made easier by a staff with strong commitment and a growth mindset, welcoming the changes each year as a new opportunity for learning and pushing themselves to support our scholars. Amazing. A simple word that describes our startlingly impressive staff. You do hard, hard work in an environment where we repeatedly ask ourselves what more we can do in service toward helping scholars achieve a choice-filled life. THANK YOU, for being your AMAZING individual selves, for your passion, commitment, drive, and leadership, for your unwavering focus on supporting scholars in learning and growing as individuals, and for the JOY you bring every day to your work with families, scholars, and partners. You are all leaders in your profession, and I truly have the utmost respect for you. THANK YOU for being our most valuable resource and the magical connection that makes the TLA community so special. Happy Staff Appreciation Week!!! Dr. Kristi Cole is the Chief Education Officer at The Lincoln Academy, a K4-12 independent 2x charter school located in Beloit, Wisconsin.

April 1 is election day in Wisconsin and this year the ballot will include both local and state races, including a race for the Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction. Wisconsin is the only state in the country that elects its superintendent but has no state board of education. It is an office defined in the Wisconsin constitution and essentially, the Superintendent reports directly to the voters. This is a non-partisan race. The key responsibility of the State Superintendent is to oversee the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). As a long time, educational leader I have worked with DPI a great deal over the years yet in my current role I have really come to understand the breadth of responsibilities DPI holds and the impact their work has on our scholars. Key Responsibilities The Superintendent of Public Instruction is responsible for oversight of all publicly funded schools in Wisconsin, including public charter schools, traditional school districts and schools that accept vouchers for low-income students. The impact of the work of the Superintendent and the team at DPI is seen in every classroom in the state. The Superintendent is responsible for: Setting curriculum standards and establishing rules for teacher licensing, essentially regulating what must be taught and by whom in local classrooms. Controlling state report cards and testing standards, thereby defining what information community members and parents will receive regarding the performance of local schools. Overseeing teacher preparation programs and administering federal funding programs. Overseeing school breakfast and lunch programs and funding for local libraries. Proposing the biennial budget for DPI and ultimately for serving as the primary advocate with the legislature as it relates to state funding and educational policy. Why is the Superintendent Role Important to the TLA Community? We are clear about that fact that we work hard to put children first in all that we do at TLA, that every scholar has the potential to learn, and that teachers and families are key to supporting scholars in achieving proficiency. Data drives our work in assessing scholar progress and nimbly implementing the interventions needed to support scholars on their path to being academically successful and prepared for a bright future - whether that’s college, a career, or military service. So why should we care about an administrative role in Madison? Simply, because the values, beliefs, approach to advocacy and the policy agenda the State Superintendent brings to their work has a direct impact on our work. We strongly encourage you to do your homework and to learn about the candidates. Are children centered at the heart of the candidate’s beliefs and goals? Is there a plan for using data to inform where we are, where we want to get to, and how to determine what strategies will get us there with respect to greater proficiency? The candidate’s answers to each of these questions (and many more) will directly impact the work of educators and students throughout the state well beyond the April election. Information regarding the candidates is available as follows: Brittany Kinser - Home - Brittany Kinser for Wisconsin Kids Dr. Jill Underly - Dr. Jill Underly for State Superintendent Dr. Kristi Cole is the Chief Education Officer at The Lincoln Academy, a K4-12 independent 2x charter school located in Beloit, Wisconsin.

It’s hard to believe, but the start of a new calendar year means the start of preparations for the next school year at The Lincoln Academy. We are busy re-enrolling current scholars for the 2025-2026 school year and preparing for our annual enrollment period for new scholars, which occurs in February each year. January feels like a great time of year for a refresher on how the enrollment process at TLA works. What is The Lincoln Academy?  The Lincoln Academy is a 2x independent K4-12 charter school, which Wisconsin State Statute defines as a public  school and Local Education Agency (LEA), legally required to provide a free  and appropriate education to all enrolled students, to accept all  children (limited only by State of Wisconsin residency and the number of seats available) and required to meet the needs of all students. The Details Each year, there is an enrollment process that takes place at The Lincoln Academy to determine enrollment for the following school year. As indicated previously, during the month of January we work with families of current scholars to re-enroll for the coming year by January 31st.   During February, our annual enrollment period, The Lincoln Academy accepts applications for enrollment for new scholars for the coming school year. Beginning February 1st, the application is available online at Enrollment | The Lincoln Academy in Beloit, Wisconsin ( thelincolnacademybeloit.com )  or in-person weekdays between 8am and 3:30pm in the school office.   The application process for a new scholar involves completing the application and submitting proof of Wisconsin residency and a copy of the scholar’s birth certificate. There are no  additional eligibility requirements and there is no  cost to attend. If more applications are received during the enrollment period than there are seats available for a grade-level in the coming year, a public random lottery is held in early March (March 12th this year) to determine enrollment for available seats and the waitlist order for the coming year.  Only completed applications submitted by midnight on the last day of February are eligible for the lottery process.   If the lottery process is needed, TLA gives preference in the order as follows: 1.)    Scholars who were enrolled in the charter school in the previous year. 2.)    Siblings of scholars enrolled in the charter school.* 3.)    Children of full-time staff and TLA Board Members. * Siblings are defined as: biological siblings that share parents, siblings that share a single parent, siblings that share a parent through marriage, children who share a parent through adoption or guardianship, siblings who reside in different households or foster children.   We are often asked if applications for the next school year are only accepted during the enrollment period. The simple answer is no . Completed applications received after midnight on the last day of February are accepted and processed on a first-come, first-served basis. If a seat is available, the scholar will be enrolled for the new year.  If no seat is available, the scholar is placed on a waitlist in the order the application is received behind lottery waitlisted scholars.  If a scholar is placed on a waitlist and does not get in by January of the following year, they must reapply in February as a new waitlist starts in March once the lottery is completed. The TLA enrollment process is structured and provides as much equal access as possible in an environment where there is a finite number of seats available. We encourage everyone interested in enrolling their child to apply during the February enrollment period, as it provides the best opportunity for enrollment when there is high demand for a grade-level.   This does not mean, however, that there may not be less demand for seats or a short waitlist for a certain grade-level when a scholar applies at a different point in time. The only certainty is that a scholar will not have a chance at enrollment if the application is not completed at all. Dr. Kristi Cole is the Chief Education Officer at The Lincoln Academy, a K4-12 independent 2x charter school located in Beloit, Wisconsin.