The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Science. The lowest is 46% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Jr/sr High
Lincoln Jr/Sr High serves grades six through twelve as the secondary school for Lincoln USD and the surrounding rural area. The school is small, which shapes almost everything about the experience. Its enrollment is small enough that a student will likely know most of their classmates and teachers, and the combined junior high and senior high structure means older and younger students share the same building and faculty.
The student body is predominantly white, with a smaller Hispanic population and very small numbers from other backgrounds. Just over half the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that puts economic need in the majority. The school is not a charter or magnet, and its Title I status was not reported in available data.
Academically, the picture is mixed and warrants a close look from families who prioritize test performance. On state assessments given in 2024-25, math results came in below the midpoint compared to other schools in the state. In sixth-grade math, roughly half of students scored proficient. Seventh-grade math was a bit lower, and eighth-grade math was lower still. English language arts results showed more variation. Eighth graders performed notably stronger, with a majority reaching proficiency, while the sixth- and seventh-grade results were lower, with fewer than half of students scoring proficient. Science results, available only for eighth grade, showed a majority of students meeting the bar. Kansas changed its cut scores for these tests, which makes year-to-year trend comparisons uncertain, so it is difficult to say whether these results represent an improvement or decline.
High school outcomes data was not available. There is no reported graduation rate for the school, which means a parent may want to ask the school directly about its four-year completion rate and post-graduation plans for seniors.
The school does not appear in the available data for course access or staffing ratios, so there is no information on the breadth of Advanced Placement, dual-credit, or career and technical education offerings. Given the school’s size, families should expect a narrower menu of electives and advanced coursework than what a large suburban high school would offer. This is not unusual for a rural combined junior-senior high, but it is worth confirming directly with the school if advanced coursework is a priority.
Lincoln itself is a small county seat in rural north-central Kansas. The town has been losing population for decades, a trend that started with the mechanization of agriculture and the consolidation of family farms. The city once offered free residential lots to attract new residents, but that program was suspended in 2024. Housing values in the area are well below state and national benchmarks, and the cost of a home is low relative to most of the country. The median household income in town is lower than the national figure, and a notable share of the population is retirement age. The county government and the school district are the major local employers.
The overall proficiency index for Lincoln Jr/Sr High lands above the midpoint relative to the two districts in Lincoln County. That comparison set is very small, so the position should be read with that context. There are only two districts in the county, and the difference between the top and bottom is narrow. The school is not a high performer on state tests in a statewide sense, but it is a solid performer in its immediate rural region.
For a family considering this school, the main tradeoff is clear. You get a very small, tight-knit school in a low-cost rural community where a student is unlikely to be overlooked. The tradeoff is that test scores are below state averages in most subjects and grades, and the small size limits program breadth. A parent who values small classes and community familiarity above academic selectivity may find this a workable fit. A parent who wants a wide range of advanced courses or high comparative test performance will want to investigate further.
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