Abraham Lincoln Middle, Selma CA

Original Research by School Decision on Abraham Lincoln Middle

Abraham Lincoln Middle serves seventh and eighth graders in Selma, a community in Fresno County's agricultural region. The school enrolls students across evenly split grades, with most experiencing economic hardship: a very substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic. The student population reflects Selma's demographics, with a small share of Asian, white, and other racial groups represented.

The school's academic performance shows a pattern typical of schools serving economically disadvantaged populations with limited prior preparation. On the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, seventh-grade proficiency in English language arts sat in the low-to-mid range, while eighth grade showed modest improvement. Math proficiency was considerably lower across both grades, with only about a quarter of students meeting standards. Eighth-grade science proficiency was similarly low. The most recent comparable data from a prior state assessment system showed eighth graders performed notably better in social studies, where proficiency was substantially higher, suggesting uneven academic strength across subjects. Only one year of testing data is available, so trends cannot be assessed.

When measured against other middle and high schools in Fresno County schools, Abraham Lincoln's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile, a meaningful position that reflects how the school compares despite the challenging context it serves. For a school where economic need is pervasive, this positioning reflects real academic engagement, though parents should understand that absolute proficiency numbers remain below California's statewide benchmarks in math and science.

The school sits within Selma Unified, a district that has undertaken notable curriculum and support changes in recent years. The district adopted a new K-8 mathematics program, with elementary grades moving to Illustrative Mathematics starting in the 2024-25 school year to align with the program already in place in middle grades. That program emphasizes explanation and reasoning alongside computation, a shift in how students are asked to think about math. The district is also building out community wraparound services, including community school liaisons and a Family Resource Center, and has announced plans for its first district-operated preschool. In November 2022, voters approved a general obligation bond measure for school facilities modernization; families should be aware that such bonds represent a lasting property tax obligation within the district.

Housing in Selma is relatively affordable compared to the state average, though rental costs take up a notable share of household income. The town sits in an agricultural area where employment patterns and economic stability reflect agricultural cycles and broader Central Valley economic conditions.

Abraham Lincoln is a regular public middle school with no special designation or charter status. Program offerings beyond standard coursework were not detailed in available information. Parents may want to reach out directly to the school to understand specific course options, support services for students who need additional help, or enrichment opportunities available.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 724%

School 24% · District 23%

▼ 6 pts below state median · ▼ 3 pts below county median

Grade 825%

School 25% · District 25% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▼ 3 pts below state median · ▲ 3 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 743%

School 43% · District 42% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▼ 2 pts below state median · ▲ 3 pts above county median

Grade 848%

School 48% · District 48% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▲ 4 pts above state median · ▲ 12 pts above county median

Science

Grade 821%

School 21% · District 21%

▼ 4 pts below state median · ▲ 2 pts above county median

Social studies

Grade 864%

School 64% · District 63% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▲ 15 pts above state median · ▲ 32 pts above county median

This schoolSelma Unified, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 7Lower-income43%Higher-income48%6 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income47%Higher-income63%16 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 7Lower-income22%Higher-income42%20 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income25%Higher-income31%7 pp gap