Lincoln School (Rhode Island)

Lincoln School (Rhode Island) is an independent, all-girls day school located in Providence, Rhode Island. Founded in 1884, it is the only all-girls school in the state and serves students from preschool through twelfth grade. The school emphasizes a rigorous academic program within a supportive environment, fostering leadership and intellectual curiosity. Lincoln School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and the Independent School Association of Rhode Island.

History

The institution was founded in 1884 by a group of Providence families seeking a college-preparatory education for girls, operating initially in a Brown University-owned building. In 1924, the school moved to its current location on Hope Street in the city's East Side, a neighborhood known for its historic architecture and academic institutions. Throughout the 20th century, Lincoln School expanded its curriculum and facilities, notably constructing the Helen C. P. Metcalf Building in 1960 to house its lower school. The school's history is intertwined with the broader narrative of women's education in New England, maintaining its single-sex mission while evolving its pedagogical approaches. Key figures in its development have included long-serving headmistresses like Louise L. D. M. Cady and, more recently, heads of school such as Robin R. H. C. K. Held.

Academics

Lincoln School offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum with a particular emphasis on STEM fields, the arts, and global studies. The academic program includes over 20 Advanced Placement courses, and the school maintains a longstanding affiliation with the adjacent Wheeler School, allowing for shared academic and artistic opportunities. Signature programs include the Lincoln Engineering and Design (LEAD) initiative, a robust visual and performing arts department, and a required senior capstone project. The school's Center for Women's Leadership integrates leadership development across all grade levels. Lincoln School graduates consistently matriculate to a wide range of colleges and universities, including Ivy League institutions, Seven Sisters colleges, and other selective liberal arts colleges across the United States.

Campus

The school's urban campus occupies several acres on Hope Street in Providence's East Side, near Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. The main academic buildings include the historic Helen C. P. Metcalf Building for the lower school and the newer Forrestal-Bowlds Building, which houses science labs and middle school classrooms. Athletic facilities include the Lynch Athletic Center, featuring a gymnasium and fitness center, and the MacColl Field complex for field hockey, lacrosse, and tennis. The campus also features dedicated spaces for the arts, such as the Michele and Peter B. McGovern '57 Arts Wing, and the M. E. R. I. T. Center for innovation and technology.

Notable people

Notable alumnae of Lincoln School include actress and singer Michele Lee, journalist and author Jane Mayer, and former United States Ambassador to Finland Barbara B. Barrett. Educator and children's literature advocate Zena Sutherland was a longtime faculty member. In the arts, painter and illustrator Molly Bang and ceramicist Michele Quan are also graduates. The school community has been shaped by influential leaders such as former head of school Sophie Glenn Lau and board chairs including philanthropist Letitia C. H. Carter.