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LINCOLN ACADEMY, an alternative to traditional teaching
incoln Academy is the alternative school for Stillwater High School, serving students in grades ninth-12th. Lincoln offers non-traditional teacher-led and self-paced classes for students who are behind in education credits or deemed at-risk. Lincoln Academy has emerged as an innovator of elevated educational experiences that result in graduation and job skills for all participating students.
There are several components that alternative education programs must have. First, the eligibility of students is determined by an intake screening process in collaboration with state and local agencies. All courses must meet the curriculum standards adopted by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. Faculty must provide individualized instruction, clear and measurable goals and objectives, a graduation plan for each student and opportunities for student participation in vocational programs and / or extracurricular activities and clubs. There also needs to be counseling, transportation and social services available to those who need them.
George Horton has spent the past three years as prin- cipal at Lincoln. Horton served as an assistant principal at Stillwater Junior High for three years and as an assistant principal at Stillwater High School for six, before becoming principal at Lincoln. Joining a new team coming out of a pandemic has proven difficult for many educators, but not here! Horton has established multiple programs, created clubs and encouraged open conversations between students and staff.
“ I’ ve been in education for 25 years and Lincoln Academy is by far one of the most rewarding places to work,” he said.
And when I say he created clubs, I mean he created his own mini-vocational school within the walls of Lincoln Academy. Since Meridian Technology Center typically has a lengthy waiting list for many of its classes,
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