Lincoln Prairie School FAQs

Any kindergarten through eighth-grade student who resides in School District 54 may apply to attend the school.

Student applications will be accepted each year. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces available, a lottery will be held to select students. Students who have siblings already attending Lincoln Prairie will be granted admission as openings allow.

As in every school in District 54, high expectations for all students have been established. Teachers and staff help students to uncover their strengths and to work toward improvement in their challenge areas through the use of multiple intelligences. Long-term goals are also set with their teachers and parents during parent-teacher-student conferences. Students then develop a plan for the steps they will take to accomplish their goals. Reflection is a major component of our program. We invite parents to partner with us!

Students may work with children of a variety of ages, both older and younger. Students work in multigrade classrooms – kindergarten and first grade; second and third grade; fourth and fifth grade; and sixth, seventh and eighth grade. Students may also be placed in a group with other students who may have similar interests, goals or instructional needs. These groups are organized flexibly so students have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of ages, achievement levels and staff members.

The goals and objectives set forth by School District 54 and the state of Illinois apply to all of the District 54 schools. Additionally, Lincoln Prairie strives to provide interdisciplinary connections across various subject areas in order to meet those goals and objectives. We believe that the learning is longer lasting when students make connections between their lives and the subject matter.

In District 54, we will promote a culture of unconditional belonging in which all students, staff and community members will be treated with dignity. We will ensure high levels of access to resources, experiences and success. In District 54, we strive to ensure that all students, staff, and community members are

• Safe, welcome and cared for;
• Heard, validated and supported; and
• Represented in curriculum and staffing.