The top reported proficiency rate is 57% in Science. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Pittsburgh Lincoln K-5
Pittsburgh Lincoln K-5 is a small public elementary school in the 15206 zip code in Pittsburgh, serving grades pre-K through fifth grade. The school enrolls a small student body, nearly all of whom qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly Black, with smaller shares of multiracial and Hispanic students and a very small share of white students.
On the most recent state testing data available, the school's academic performance is below the midpoint for schools in Allegheny County on the overall proficiency index. In reading (English language arts), a minority of students tested at proficiency levels. In math, proficiency was notably lower, with only a small fraction of students tested meeting grade-level standards. The school's science results from an earlier year showed stronger proficiency. Parents may want to look into the school's reading and math support with school leadership, particularly given the recent implementation of a science-of-reading curriculum across Pittsburgh Public Schools, which is intended to strengthen foundational literacy skills in early grades.
The broader context matters. Pittsburgh Public Schools is navigating significant enrollment decline and a growing budget deficit. In May 2026, the district board approved the Future-Ready Facilities Plan, which will close nine school buildings and restructure many others, shift feeder patterns citywide, and phase out nearly all elementary magnet programs. Lincoln is not listed among the buildings slated for closure, but the district's constraints and restructuring may affect staffing, programs, and resource allocation. Additionally, the district approved a property tax increase for 2026 as part of budget management, a cost-of-living factor for families considering a move to Pittsburgh.
The district adopted Open Court Reading, a science-of-reading curriculum, in 2023-2024 for K-5 and has made training in reading science mandatory for K-3 teachers and principals. This represents a direct instructional shift in how early readers are being taught across the elementary schools, which could benefit students over time as the approach is implemented.
Housing in the 15206 zip code sits modestly below state and national benchmarks. The neighborhood is part of a broader Pittsburgh context where downtown is undergoing significant residential conversion and infill, though older neighborhoods show more stability in values.
Lincoln is a neighborhood school serving its immediate area. It is small, densely economically challenged, and predominantly serving a single racial demographic. Its recent test results show that math proficiency is an area of particular need. Families choosing this school should be direct in conversations with school staff about reading and math instruction, about how the new curriculum is being implemented in their child's classroom, and about what additional support the school can offer.
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