The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Math. The lowest is 22% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on The Lincoln Academy Inc
The Lincoln Academy Inc is a tuition-free public charter school district serving pre-kindergarten through grade twelve, chartered through the University of Wisconsin Office of Educational Opportunity and located in Rock County. It opened in fall 2021, built with input from the Beloit community, and operates as a single-school district under the name The Lincoln Academy. The district uses a lottery for admission and has consistently maintained a waiting list.
The student body is diverse, with Hispanic and white students each making up roughly two-fifths of enrollment, Black students a sizeable share, and smaller numbers of students who identify as two or more races, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. The district did not report the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, nor the shares receiving special education services or English learner supports. A parent may want to ask the school directly for those figures to understand the full support context.
Academically, state testing results from the most recent school year show a mixed picture across grade levels. In math, proficiency rates in the lower elementary grades were higher than in middle school, with one early grade reaching a level comfortably above half of students meeting the bar, while several middle-grade cohorts were below that threshold. English language arts results followed a similar pattern, with third grade showing a stronger performance than grades four through seven, while eighth grade posted a rate around half of students proficient. Science results in grades four and eight were low, landing well below a third of students proficient. Social studies proficiency also lagged, with the share of proficient students roughly a third to two-fifths across the tested grades.
Compared with other districts in Rock County, the district sits in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. Its chronic absenteeism rate places below the midpoint among the county's districts, meaning a larger share of students than typical for the area are missing substantial school time. A parent weighing this district may want to investigate what supports are in place for attendance and academic catch-up.
The district's graduation rate was not reported in the data. Because the school enrolled a senior class that may still be in the process of building its high school outcomes during its early years, the gap may stem from the school's relative newness.
The Lincoln Academy's model is structured around three pillars: academic rigor, character development, and career exploration. Starting in kindergarten, students develop Individualized Learning Plans, and high school students are expected to complete internships or youth apprenticeships, with dual-credit and career-certification courses available on campus. The school has expanded facilities since its opening, completing a buildout in 2023 and currently exploring a further expansion to add capacity, as the existing building is at capacity. This expansion, publicly reported, is intended to increase access, broaden career pathways, and create more space for extracurricular and athletic programs. For families who value early career exposure and individualized pathways in a charter setting, this structure is a central feature.
The district serves one school, also named The Lincoln Academy. No separate elementary, middle, or high school buildings exist; all grades share one campus. This arrangement shapes the peer environment, with older and younger students in proximity. The school's location in the Belot area means families are likely commuting from within the city or surrounding parts of Rock County.
The data did not include information on teacher staffing ratios, course access, disciplinary rates, or per-pupil spending. For a new district still under construction, these details may become available as the institution matures. Families considering this option should ask about class sizes, teacher experience, and the specific career certifications and dual-credit partnerships offered. The school's emphasis on internships and career exploration gives it a distinctive profile among Rock County's districts, one that may appeal strongly to families who want a K-12 public charter experience with a direct line to workforce preparation.
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