Established in 1991, the Lincoln High School Foundation is an independent, non-profit 501 (c)3, California organization. Its mission is to support academic and enrichment programs that benefit and enable all students to succeed and excel, thus ensuring quality public education for today’s and tomorrow’s students.
The Foundation seeks private philanthropic support for school needs that would otherwise go unaddressed due to a lack of funding from traditional public school funding sources. Funds are restricted for use at Lincoln High School only.
History
The Lincoln High School Foundation is the oldest, independent foundation in San Jose Unified School District. It was established in 1991 and was formed by a group of committed alumni and principal who recognized that school resources needed to be augmented to create the best possible environment for student success.
This included providing teaching tools like scientific equipment, up-to-date books and materials, physical plant – like a black box theatre, transformed an outdated boiler room to a dance studio with high tech sprung dance floor, new flooring in the small gym to cover the injury producing cement floor, and a mentoring program to work with and encourage at-risk youth to strive for academic and success that would propel them forward to maximize their career and educational options.
The Foundation’s support has contributed to creating an environment of excellence that has been recognized with numerous national, state, regional, and local awards. Since its founding, the Foundation has raised over $1.5 million in restricted and unrestricted funds to support programs at Lincoln High School that enrich the student population and campus culture.
Lincoln High School is an academic, visual and performing arts magnet school, one of six senior high schools in the San Jose Unified School District. Steeped in tradition as one of San Jose’s oldest public high schools, Lincoln today is a culturally and economically diverse urban public school, offering extensive and innovative classes in academics as well as in the visual and performing fine arts. The school has received national, state, regional, and community recognition.
Highlights, Partnerships, and Awards
- An academic, visual and performing arts magnet representing a microcosm of the culturally and economically diverse Silicon Valley.
- Over 36 clubs, 42 athletic teams and an active parent base contribute to a thriving student life on campus.
- Focus is on project-based learning, an inquiring-based approach to instruction using real-world, 21st century workforce skills — collaboration, communication and problem solving. Students show what they know by working with others to create a product, develop a concept or provide a solution to a real-world issue.
- Most requested high school in San Jose — 2,000 students enrolled in over 100 classes every day.
- Partnered with Stanford University to develop a robust Advanced Placement and Honors program with 28 different courses and a research-based AP student support system – one of the largest, most successful AP programs offering more AP, Honors and Accelerated classes than any other high school in the district.
- The Washington Post has named Lincoln 5 of the last 6 years as one of America’s Most Challenging High Schools in the U.S. (ranked in top 5% nationwide).
- Over 70% of students are defined as low SES (socioeconomic status) and receive free or reduced lunches.
- Nearly 2 out of 3 students have a 3.0+ GPA and 30% have a 3.5 or better GPA.
- Boasts one of the highest Latino college-eligibility graduation rates in the Bay Area.
- Average graduation rate is 94.1% compared to the district average of 85.6%; and 4 out of 5 students applying to the University of California system are accepted; and 86% of Lincoln’s 2016 graduates enrolled in a college for the fall term.
- Received the National Blue Ribbon Award and the California Distinguished School Award three times.
- Silicon Valley Education Foundation honored Lincoln’s outstanding computer science program with the 2016 STEM Innovation Award (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics).
- Partnered with NextFlex to introduce students to the world of flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) and advanced manufacturing, and teaching about entrepreneurship and business models.
- Principal Matt Hewitson was named 2016 Principal of the Year by the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his leadership and stewardship during his six-year tenure.
- Activities Director Kelly Phillips was named 2016 Woman of the Year by the California State Senate for service to families through creation of the Lincoln Pantry.
- Academic Counselor Margaret Isied was named 2016 Counselor of the Year by the Western Association of College Admissions Counselors for college eligibility and acceptance rates.