A Quaker Foundation

Lincoln’s educational philosophy and practices incorporate the Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Service, and Stewardship of the Earth (SPICES) into the lives of its students and faculty on a daily basis.

Lincoln School came under the jurisdiction of the New England Yearly Meeting and of the Religious Society of Friends in 1924 to provide a Quaker education for girls in Providence. While Lincoln School is no longer under the governance of New England Yearly Meeting, it maintains its commitment to Quaker education as an active member of the Friends Council on Education.

Silent Meetings are held weekly in three Divisions of Lincoln School from Early Childhood through Upper School. The structure of these meetings varies in age-appropriate ways to ensure that students are introduced to this practice in ways that are meaningful to them given their age.

Quaker history, practice, and testimonies are woven into the Lincoln program in many ways. The following illustrates a few: Grade 4 visits the Meeting House in Little Compton during its study of the Settling of America. The history curriculum for Grade 8 focuses on Human Rights and culminates in a special project centering on the importance of Human Rights. All Freshmen take a course in Quaker Studies, and Testimonies are incorporated in many areas of school life from community service to Lincoln’s Edible Schoolyard Garden.

Lincoln’s Center for Justice, Peace and Global Citizenship promotes the leadership of students, faculty, alumnae, and parents who embrace the values of Lincoln School and strive to construct new models for inclusion in keeping with our mission as a Quaker School. The Center organizes annual school-wide events such as Morgan Stone Day, International Women’s Day and the All-School Community Action Day in addition to many other community events that promote diversity and Quaker testimonies at Lincoln and bring these ideals out into the community.

The Quaker Life and Education Committee (QLEC), is a committee comprised of faculty, staff, and administration. The QLEC meets monthly to review our work as a Quaker School and to explore new opportunities for outreach and strategies for keeping our Quaker traditions and values vital and accessible within our community and beyond. All are welcome to attend these meetings.

At Lincoln, our school song, "Simple Gifts," speaks of discovering humility, a quality of self-confidence which allows us to encourage the strengths and voices of others. As a Friends School, we seek to foster this quality in all our students so they can pursue their dreams and use their talents in a manner that encourages social responsibility and compassion for others.