Lincoln Preparatory School

Lincoln Preparatory School in Grambling, LA, is an alternative school serving 684 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, operating as its own independent district in a high-poverty area where 85% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

While the school boasts a notably low student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1—much lower than nearby Quitman High School (14:1) or Simsboro High School (12:1)—this advantage has not translated into strong academic results. In the 2025-2026 school year, only 24% of Lincoln Prep students scored proficient in math, compared to 72% at Simsboro and 66% at Downsville Community Charter School. Similarly, just 37% were proficient in English Language Arts, while nearby schools achieved rates around 70-79%. Social studies proficiency was 21% at Lincoln Prep versus 54-56% at its peers. The school's graduation rate has been volatile, reaching 85% recently but dropping to 72% just two years earlier, while Quitman High School consistently reports rates above 92%.

Chronic absenteeism affects 21% of Lincoln Prep students, a rate higher than Simsboro's 14% and likely a key factor in the school's academic struggles. There is one bright spot: 6th graders achieved 50% proficiency in English Language Arts, the highest for any grade or subject at the school. Compared to the nearby Howard School, another alternative school serving a similar population, Lincoln Prep performs slightly better in math (24% vs. 25%) but lower in English (37% vs. 51%). The school's Lincoln Preparatory School district faces significant challenges in translating its small class sizes into academic gains, suggesting deeper issues related to poverty and attendance that need to be addressed.