Lincoln is an independent school in Providence, Rhode Island offering a rigorous and exciting learning experience that blends tradition with innovation. As the nation’s only independent school for girls rooted in Quaker values, we provide a unique educational community for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. We also offer a coed program from six weeks through Pre-Kindergarten. Our students come from the greater Providence area and beyond, and represent diverse backgrounds and religious traditions.

At Lincoln, students take risks, build confidence, and discover their passions within the embrace of a supportive and inclusive community. Our challenging curriculum, small class sizes, and talented faculty—plus exclusive partnerships with Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Save the Bay, and other unique programs—make for a robust educational experience where students’ intellectual curiosity can grow. Outside of class, Lincoln students delve into athletics, arts, and service opportunities.

In keeping with our Quaker roots, character, cooperation, and mutual respect are central to life at our school. Through weekly silent meetings and regular assemblies, we reinforce and reflect on our shared values and stay connected. Independent thinking and individuality stand on equal footing with kindness and acceptance: Lincoln students achieve, but never at the expense of each other. So when they graduate, they’re not only equipped for academic success; they’re prepared to build meaningful lives.

 

History and Vision

Lincoln School began in 1884 when a mother, Ann Ives Carrington Ames, decided that her daughter Daisy, and other girls like her, deserved a top-notch education at a real school. She created the Lincoln School, naming it in honor John Larkin Lincoln, a Brown University professor with a strong commitment to the education of girls and young women.

Ever since then, Lincoln has fostered and fueled bold minds in a vibrant learning community. We’re committed to remaining at the forefront of education and adapting to the demands of our changing world while still honoring our school’s core values and traditions. Beloved rituals like our annual Lumina celebration and step singing are as much a part of Lincoln as our academic innovations: Independent studies, partnerships that get girls out into the community and earning college credit, and programs to Puerto Rico and Morocco.

Most recently, Lincoln has joined several peer schools in moving beyond the confines of the advancement placement curriculum—a change that allows for more of the interdisciplinary learning that’s emphasized in education today, with courses that break down the barriers between academic fields.