Academics, Grading, and Promotions
Overview
Policies listed here on the website are for informational purposes. Any accidental discrepancies on this site should not be interpreted as overriding published school department policy in the Student Handbook or other documents.
Course Requirements
Students must pursue a minimum of 7 credits each year. Physical Education must be taken and passed each year that a student is enrolled in Lincoln High School. Over the four years, if all subjects are successfully completed, each student will have accumulated between 23-28 credits.
To receive the Lincoln High School diploma, students need 23 credits as well as successfully completing the Exhibition graduation requirement.
Please click here to see the new Course Requirements to graduate based on the Program Of Studies
Areas of Interest
- Vision Of A Graduate
- Credit Distribution Requirements
- Promotion
- Authentic & Applied Learning Electives
- Alternate Programs
- Grading Policy
- Honors/Advanced Placement
- Recommended College Course Distribution
- Student Exams
- Summer School Policy
Vision Of A Graduate
Our "Vision Of A Graduate" work begins upon entry into the Lincoln Public Schools system, and continues through graduation upon completing high school. This is done by a culmination of the learning, acquired skills, and demonstrations of proficiency that occur overtime during a student's education throughout Lincoln Public Schools. The Vision is embedded in the culture, practices, and lessons presented to students.
Below is a graphic representation of the vision we have for all Lincoln Lions at the time of graduation:
Credit Distribution Requirements
Graduation Requirements for Class of 2026, and 2027
| English | 4 |
| Mathematics | 4** |
| Physical Education/Health | 2 |
| Science (includes Biology) | 3 |
| Social Studies (includes US) | 3 |
| Fine Arts | ½ |
| Civic Responsibility | ½ |
| Choice of Electives | 6* |
| Total minimum credits | 23 |
*One credit must be Authentic & Applied Learning Elective & successful completion of the LHS Exhibition Graduation requirements
**The fourth credit of mathematics may be a math-related course from the following: Financial and Managerial Accounting, Physics, AP Physics, or AP Chemistry.
Graduation Requirements for Class of 2028 and Beyond
| English | 4 |
| Mathematics (includes Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry) | 4*** |
| Physical Education/Health | 2 |
| Science (includes Biology) | 3 |
| Social Studies (includes US) | 3 |
| World Language | 2** |
| Fine Arts | ½ |
| Civic Responsibility | ½ |
| Choice of Electives | 4* |
| Total minimum credits | 23 |
*one credit must be Authentic & Applied Learning Elective & successful completion of the LHS Exhibition Graduation requirement
**Credits must be attained int he same language, and one year of the WL can be completed in middle school.
***The fourth credit of mathematics may be a math-related course from Lincoln High School's List of approved advanced courses.
Promotion
Students are promoted by years within an age based cohort that is determined upon entry into high school. Students are no longer promoted or retained based on earning a specific number of credits. Below, is a suggested credit acquisition outline to facilitate graduation within four years with the students’ cohort.
| To be promoted into: | Minimum Credits |
| Grade 10 | 5+ |
| Grade 11 | 11+ |
| Grade 12 | 16+ |
| Graduation | 23 |
Authentic & Applied Learning Electives
Alternate Programs
Alternate programs are various programs designed to meet the needs of students in a number of ways. These programs either supplement or replace the regular school day by offering educational experiences beyond the Lincoln High School campus. Information concerning the following programs is available in the Guidance office through your guidance counselor.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Program
- CTE - Career and Technical Education Programs
- Early Enrollment Program (EEP)
- Early Admission to college during the senior year of high school
- VHS Learning - online classes available at LHS
- Commissioner's Seal
- Seal of Bi-Literacy
Dual Enrollment Protocol
I. Definitions (as provided by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE)
Concurrent Enrollment – is a type of dual enrollment when a student takes a college-level course, receiving both high school and college credit on his/her high school campus. This course is taught by a high school teacher who has been approved by the respective college or university.
Dual Enrollment – is when a high school student enrolls as a non-matriculating student in a college course, receiving both high school and college credit on the campus of a college or university while remaining enrolled in his/her high school. These courses are taught by college instructors on a college campus.
II. Concurrent Enrollment Lincoln High School has several agreements which allow its students to earn college credit for high school coursework. This information is published annually in the Program of Studies. They are as follows:
Rhode Island College – Early Enrollment Program
A joint venture of Rhode Island College and Lincoln High School, the Early Enrollment Program enables students to earn credits for AP Chemistry, AP World History, AP US History, Honors Chemistry, Financial and Managerial Accounting, Personal Finance (full year), and Leadership and Management. These courses are taken as part of the students’ regular school year schedule. Please note that only the full-year Personal Finance class (not the semester class) earns EEP credit. These courses are taught by approved Lincoln High School faculty members. They follow the curriculum prescribed by Rhode Island College. Upon successful completion of the course, the credits earned will be kept on file in the Rhode Island College records office to be applied toward a degree at Rhode Island College or possibly transferred to some other college. Payment must be made by the student to Rhode Island College to receive credit if not funded by the Rhode Island Department of Education. 14 2026-2027 Program Of Studies
University of Rhode Island Lincoln High School
A joint venture of the University of Rhode Island and Lincoln High School enables students to earn credits for URI Writing, URI Literature, Intro to Computer and Data Science, AP Computer Science A, and AP Computer Science Principles. These courses are taken as part of the students’ regular school year schedule. These courses are taught by approved Lincoln High School faculty members. They follow the curriculum prescribed by the University of Rhode Island. Upon successful completion of the course, the credits earned will be kept on file in the University of Rhode Island records office to be applied toward a degree at University of Rhode Island or possibly transferred to some other college. Payment must be made by the student to University of Rhode Island to receive credit if not funded by the Rhode Island Department of Education.
Community College of Rhode Island Articulation Agreements
Students can receive college credits from the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) for taking Financial & Managerial Accounting and Business Basics in high school, provided they complete and pass these classes, graduate from high school, attend the Community College of Rhode Island, and major in a related program of study. Students must complete and pass twelve credit hours or more at CCRI; six of these credits must be in a related program of study, and the second level of accounting must be taken before receiving credit for College Accounting. Students are also eligible for challenge exams at CCRI in Computers in Management for up to nine additional credits. Payment must be made by the student to the Community College of Rhode Island to receive credit.
New England Institute of Technology Articulation Agreements
Students can receive college credits from the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) providing they complete and pass these classes, graduate from high school, enroll at NEIT, and major in a related program of study. Students must begin classes at NEIT within one year of graduating from Lincoln High School and complete one quarter at NEIT. Students must maintain a B or better in all technical courses taken at LHS. These courses include:
- Broadcasting Journalism CTE Courses – 5 credits in Video Techniques/Studio 1 (must maintain a B+ or better and submit a portfolio for review)
- Financial & Managerial Accounting – 4 credits in Accounting I (must maintain a B or better)
- Leadership and Management – 4 credits in Introduction to Business (must maintain a B or better)
- Marketing & Social Media – 3 credits in Marketing (must maintain a B or better)
- Principles of Engineering Design II – 5 credits in Computer-Aided Design I
Roger Williams University Law and Public Safety Articulation Agreement
Lincoln High School is entering an articulation agreement with Roger Williams University for the Law and Public Safety CTE Program. Further details related to credit acquisition will be disseminated to students enrolled in the courses/program.
III. Dual Enrollment
Running Start at Community College of Rhode Island Running Start is a program offered at the Community College of Rhode Island for high school students who have demonstrated academic achievement and maturity needed to enroll in college courses during his/her senior year. Seniors who wish to study at CCRI on a full-time basis during the day may be eligible to earn college credit and credit for high school graduation simultaneously. For more information go to Running Start – CCRI . Any student who decides to access the Running Start opportunity must maintain at least 15 credits per semester for LHS.
Criteria for Running Start admission:
- a cumulative 3.0 (B) high school grade point average
- With the permission of the parent or guardian Lincoln High School
- recommendation signature from a school counselor or principal, with a list of courses that would include requirements for graduation from high school and other recommended college courses
- the student agrees to enroll in and maintain a minimum of 15 credit hours per Fall and Spring Semesters
- The student must meet the exhibition requirement for graduation
- The student must demonstrate proficiency in Financial Literacy
Part-time dual enrollment
For part-time dual enrollment, the student may take any course that the post-secondary institution offers as part of the dual enrollment catalog. To qualify for part-time dual enrollment at the post-secondary institution at student must:
- Maintain a full course load at Lincoln High School
- complete all graduation requirements including Civic Responsibility, Exhibition, and demonstration of proficiency in Financial Literacy
- continue to compile items towards the successful completion of the portfolio
- have the approvals of his/her parent/guardian, his/her school counselor, guidance department chairperson, and principal before registering for the course Attendance, conduct history, and post-secondary institution requirements will be considered when determining eligibility.
Grading Policy
The Lincoln Public School is committed to maintaining rigorous performance and achievement standards for all students and to providing a fair process for evaluating and reporting student progress that is understandable to students and their parents/guardians and relevant for instructional purposes. The primary audiences for a grade are students and parents/guardians. The following points are central to issuing a grade:
- To communicate student progress toward achieving academic course standards.
- To ensure accuracy, consistency, and fairness in scoring across the district.
- To ensure grades have consistent meaning throughout the school system and are based on grade level and course expectations as outlined in the curriculum.
- To implement a reporting system that provides meaningful achievement information to students, parents, institutions of higher learning, and other stakeholders.
- To establish reporting practices that are fair and meaningful, and support rigorous performance and achievement standards for all students.
Mission Statement
Lincoln Public Schools is committed to excellence. In partnership with all members of the Lincoln community, we inspire and empower each student to excel personally and intellectually, embrace social and individual responsibility, and lead with integrity.
- The Lincoln Public Schools have adopted the following grading policy to facilitate the district’s strategic plan and the shared belief that all students can achieve through perseverance, hard work, and self-advocacy.
- This policy hinges upon multiple opportunities for all students to meet with success and demonstrate proficiency. The policy engages students and promotes student effort and achievement. It seeks to ensure equity and consistency for all students.
Overview
- Teachers shall apply professional judgment and use discretion when determining a child’s grade based upon student growth and level of mastery of content.
- Grading shall be consistently weighed, scored, and reported across the grade level in elementary schools or content areas within the middle and high school.
- Teachers will be committed to allowing students multiple measures and opportunities to show what they know and can do.
- Reporting of student progress and achievements will be communicated through the district student information system. Other methods of communication may include telephone calls, notes, report cards, email, progress reports, conferences, etc.
- Grading will be used to develop the skills of all students to pursue whatever post-secondary path to success they choose.
- Grades shall be based on and will be assessed as a level of mastery of content and standards.
- Homework shall not count for more than 15% of an overall grade. Elementary, middle, and high school will specify the homework expectations in their handbooks.
- Students will be allowed one additional opportunity to make up summative assessments for a maximum of 70%. Summative assessments are defined as: tests, on-demand tasks, and excluding midterms and final exams.
- Since the intent of a grading system is to measure a level of student mastery of content, teachers shall either issue a grade or list assignments as missing. Zeroes will not be used as placeholders for missing work. Teachers will communicate missing work using an incomplete through the student information system before inputting a zero. Absent students will be able to earn up to full credit for the missing assignments. Timelines for acceptance of late/missing work will be specified in each school’s handbook.
- Letter/numerical grades will be used at the middle and high school levels. Standard-based numerical grades will be used at the elementary level.
- School-level handbooks and individual policies shall not supersede the District Grading Policy.
Grading Policy
The purpose of the Grading Scale is to indicate numerical ranges for quarterly and yearly grades. For the first quarter only, the minimum quarter grade a student may earn is a 50.
*NOTE: Students who earn a grade of “F” as a final course grade may enroll in summer school to make up the failed course.
Communicating Failing Grades
Teachers will communicate with parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding pending failure of quarter/cumulative grades via direct communication (phone call, email, and/or in-person meeting).
Grading Protocols
Students may reassess summative assessments up to 70. Students may reassess within 2 weeks after the graded assessment has been handed back. Penalties for missed deadlines will be specified in the course syllabus. Work that is not submitted will be coded in Skyward as “Missing”. After one week, this will change to a zero.
Grade Reporting
It is expected that schools will make multiple attempts to intervene with and communicate to students and parents regarding incomplete and failing work. Secondary teachers (Middle School 6-8 and High School 9-12) will record all student grades electronically within the student information system within one week and no longer than three weeks for major projects and papers. In extenuating circumstances, teachers will communicate with their administrator for approval of an extension of this grade reporting timeline.
Report Cards
Report cards are posted on our Student Information System (Skyward) at quarterly intervals during the school year. These reports include a grade in achievement in all subjects taken by the student and the number of absences. In addition, each of the student’s teachers usually indicates explanatory comments. Paper copies will be available upon individual request.
Honor Roll (calculated using unweighted GPA)
- First Honors: a student who achieves a GPA of 3.640 or higher
- Second Honors: a student who achieves a GPA of 3.300 to 3.639
- Third Honors: a student who achieves a GPA of 2.920 to 3.299
Grading Special Populations
Teachers of English Language Learners, special educators, and general education teachers who provide instruction for a student will collaboratively examine evidence collected to determine a student’s grade. Parents of students with Individualized Educational Programs (IEP) will receive supplemental information on progress towards attainment of IEP goals at the time report cards are issued, consistent with federal and state requirements. Parents of English Language Learners will receive supplemental information on progress towards language development at the time report cards are issued, based on WIDA descriptors and district ELL guidelines.
Homework/Preparedness
Homework may be assigned to preview, review, reinforce, or extend concepts in the curriculum. It is critical for students to complete homework when assigned, as it directly impacts their level of understanding. Preparedness to participate in class also falls under this category. Homework completion/preparedness shall account for a maximum of 15% of the total grade. When turned in by the deadline, this homework is given credit for completion or a grade. Teachers will use professional judgment to determine the value assigned to partially completed work turned in at the deadline.
Implementation
The Superintendent and/or designee will build an understanding with the Lincoln School community of the core components as outlined in the policy and develop expectations for each level (elementary, middle, and high school). Building principals will build an understanding of the policy with their faculty. Building principals will oversee the implementation of the policy. Educators will implement the core components as stated in the Basis of the Policy. Specific language regarding grading procedures will be articulated in school handbooks at all levels.
Reviews and Reporting
District staff will monitor fidelity to this policy annually and will provide updates to the school committee if changes are needed before a formal review. This policy will be formally reviewed every two years.
Rubric to Grade
When rubrics are used to determine grades, a conversion scale shall be used.
Honors/Advanced Placement
Lincoln recognizes that there are students who quickly grasp concrete and abstract concepts. Therefore a program characterized by accelerated courses, which are noted for their rigor and high academic expectations, is offered. Students in this program require little structure and discipline. Students in this program are proficient in basic skills and are expected to work more independently on reading, writing, research, and problem-solving assignments. These courses are designed for students who...
- analyze and synthesize knowledge
- convey ideas effectively
- show skill in abstract thinking
- use a wide variety of resources
- have creative and inventive power
- exhibit power to work independently
- understand & assume responsibility
- appreciate and integrate social values
Nationwide, AP courses are currently undergoing an audit by the College Board. Only courses that receive approval will continue to carry the AP designation.
CHANGES TO THE AP PROGRAM
All AP students and a parent/guardian will need to sign an agreement acknowledging that:
- AP coursework is college-level coursework that requires significant time and effort.
- Taking the AP exam in May is required for a course to be labeled as AP on the transcript.
- Exam fees will be $94 per exam if they are not covered by the district (exam fee may increase)
- In order to request a fee waiver, a signed consent form must be submitted by the end of September to allow staff to verify eligibility based on information submitted as part of the school lunch program.
- Students will be required to "add themselves" to each course online using specific "join codes" by the end of September to comply with new AP procedures; not doing so may result in a $40 late ordering fee in addition to the standard exam fee.
- There will be an additional $40 unused test fee if you drop the AP course after AP Exams are ordered.
- Students will be dropped from the AP course if they have not submitted the appropriate fee, formally established a payment plan, or been granted a fee waiver by the new priority ordering deadline of October 4th.
- Colleges & universities have their own policies regarding the acceptance of AP credit.
Recommended College Course Distribution
Student Exams
All students are required to take mid-term and final examinations in each course in which they are enrolled with one exception. At the dis-cretion of the teacher, seniors with an “A” average may be exempt from taking the final exam for full year courses and the final exam for semes-ter courses. Students performing well on the state testing may be exempted from some of their exams.
Summer School Policy
A student who earns a final grade of “U” in a subject is ineligible to attend summer school to make up the course. When he/she receives a yearly average of “F” in a course, he/she has several options:
- Attend summer school. The summer school grade will appear on the student’s permanent record as well as the original “F”.
- Take a 3-credit course at a college or university to make up a one-credit high school course, or a 2-credit college course to make up a 1⁄2-credit high school course.
- Engage a certified private tutor for 30 hours to make up a one-credit high school course, or 15 hours to make up a 1⁄2-credit high school course.
- Repeat the course the following year.
- Refrain from repeating the course next year if it is not a required course, and if he/she has enough credits to be promoted to the next grade.