Abraham Lincoln High School (Des Moines)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lincoln High School
Established	1923
Type	Public Secondary
Principal	Albert Graziano
Dean	Fatima Piresson
Students	2,126^[1]
Grades	9–12
Location	2600 SW 9th Street Des Moines, Iowa USA
District	Des Moines Public Schools
Campus	Urban
Colors	Maroon and Gold
Website	dmps.k12.ia.us/schools/3Lincoln/

For other schools of the same name, see Abraham Lincoln High School.

Abraham Lincoln High School, usually referred to simply as Lincoln High School or Lincoln, is a secondary school located on the south side of Des Moines, Iowa, at 41°33'43" North, 93°37'35" West (41.5619, -93.6264). It is one of five secondary schools under the district of the Des Moines Public Schools, and was named after the 16th United States president Abraham Lincoln. The school sports team has been named after one of his nicknames, the Rail Splitter (the Lincoln Railsplitters).

1 History
2 Campus
3 Students
- 3.1 Enrollment Figures
4 Faculty
5 Extracurricular Activities
6 Curriculum
7 See also
8 References
9 External links

[edit] History

Lincoln High School was constructed to address the increasing enrollment of students at nearby East High School. During this time, the south-side of Des Moines was home to new urban development. This further increased enrollment and the need for an additional school. A bond issue passed on March 18, 1918 that provided the funds to build the school^[2]. By 1923, construction had completed, at a cost of $949,754.95 USD^[2].

At that time, the school had 55 classrooms, a swimming pool, two gymnasiums, several labs, an art and music room, cafeteria, and an auditorium, providing for a total student capacity of 1,300 people^[2].

In 1962, an additional wing was constructed, which added additional classrooms, additional laboratory areas, and a library with over 13,000 volumes^[2].

A male faculty lounge was added in 1963^[2]. An existing light-well was enclosed to provide for this new room.

On 1964, further expansions were contracted at a total cost of $1,667,000^[2]. This provided for the construction of the Roundhouse, home to the various indoor sporting venues. On the lower level, a new swimming pool and boys' locker room was constructed. The old swimming pool was converted to classroom space, but the old gymnasiums are still in use. The old locker rooms were remodeled into the girls' locker rooms.

On November of 2005, the Des Moines School Board approved contracts totaling $22,753,954 for the renovation and expansion of Lincoln High^[3]. The work is scheduled to be completed by August 2008. Since Lincoln is at overcapacity, students in the 9th grade will attend classes at the Kurtz Junior High building for the school years starting 2006 and 2007.

[edit] Campus

Lincoln has three levels of classrooms, with the cafeteria and music classrooms located on the lowest level. The "old gymnasium" occupies the second and third levels in the main concourse (with the entrance on the second level). The "Roundhouse" is the primary gymnasium in use at Lincoln. The upper level is that of an arena, with a capacity of roughly 2,500 people. On the lower level of the Roundhouse, you will find the weight-training, boys' locker rooms, and swimming pool.

Outside of the Cafeteria, there are two "Mobile Classrooms" that were constructed to house additional classrooms. These are referred to by students and staff as Mobile Units #3 and #4. Near the Roundhouse are two others, named Mobile Unit #1 and #2.

On the opposite side of Bell Avenue, there are two student parking lots, a baseball diamond, soccer fields, and Hutchens Stadium (home to football and track events).

[edit] Students

As of the 2005-2006 school year, there are 2,126 students^[1] enrolled at Lincoln, which makes the school one of the largest in Iowa. 76.9% of the student body is White (European-American) descent^[4] (down from 79.3% in the 2004-2005 school year^[5]). The leading ethnic group by enrollment is that of Latino descent, and they are followed by Black (African-American), Asian, and Indian (Native American or Alaskan Native)^[4]. This makes the school the least diverse of the other High Schools in the Des Moines Public School district^[4].

[edit] Enrollment Figures

Year	Total	Seniors (12th grade)	Juniors (11th grade)	Sophomores (10th grade)	Freshmen (9th grade)
2005-2006^[1]	2,126	396	446	572	712
2004-2005^[6]	2,157	391	454	571	741
2003-2004^[6]	2,179	411	462	580	726
2002-2003^[6]	2,330	447	491	559	833

[edit] Faculty

There are approximately 107 instructors at Lincoln High. If that number was correct, that puts the student-teacher population ratio at about 20 students per course instructor. There are 76 additional personnel who carry out other administrative duties at Lincoln. In total, the faculty count is approximately 183.^[7]

[edit] Extracurricular Activities

Students have the option to participate in many extracurricular activities, which include activities, clubs, and sports that take place outside of the regular curriculum.

Clubs (as of 2005-2006 school year, clubs in italics are defunct)
- Anime Club
- Business Professionals of America
- Computer Club
- DECA
- Dorian Art Club
- Drama Club
- International Thespian Society Troupe #4752
- National Honor Society
- Rails Key Club
- Straight and Gay Alliance (SAGA)
- Students Against Drunk Drivers (SADD)
Activities
- Academic Decathlon
- Academic Letter
- All Male Dance Team
- Ambassadors
- Band (Marching, Jazz, Concert, Pep)
- Cheerleading
- Close Up
- Committee Select
- Conflict Management
- Debate/Forensics
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Mermaids Synchronized Swimming
- Minority Achievement Program (MAP)
- Mock Trial
- Quiz Bowl
- Railettes Dance Team
- Science Bound
- Sisters for Success
- Student Council
- Upward Bound
- We the People
Sports
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Softball
- Swimming
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track
- Volleyball
- Wrestling

[edit] Curriculum

The school day is split into seven periods of course instruction, with the fifth period being the longest to allow everyone a chance to take a short lunch break. The school district requires that students take a number of core academic courses, if they wish to graduate and receive a diploma. This includes Social Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Art, and Physical Education. The exact amount of academic credit needed to satisfy graduation requirements is determined by the school district.

All students are required by the district to enroll in four subject courses and a Physical Education course. However, the school compels lower-class students to schedule a full day of classes, in order to ensure satisfaction with district graduation requirements. Juniors and Seniors have the option of having an "open period" during the first or last period of the school day (Seniors may have open periods during any period). However, Juniors require parental permission to have an open period.

The district requires four years of Physical Education. Freshmen and sophomores usually take their P.E. courses at the school. Juniors and Seniors have the option of taking alternative P.E. programs, including a Bowling class that requires students to commute to a nearby bowling alley.