Lincoln Academy

A historic independent school on the Maine coast, founded in 1801 — known for boarding life and STEM.

Main building

Campus from above

School entrance

Students

Science class

Woodshop

Art class

VEX Robotics

Residence hall

Dorm room

Cross country

Gymnasium

Graduation


Key Facts

Founded

School Type

Religion

Grades

Students

International Students

Teacher : Student

Average Class Size

1801

Private, Co-ed

Non-denominational

9-12

585

50

1:13

14

About the School

Lincoln Academy is a historic independent co-educational high school founded in 1801 in Newcastle, a coastal town in Maine in the north-eastern United States. Around 585 students in Grades 9–12 attend, including about 50 international students from more than 15 countries. As a college-preparatory school where local day students and international boarders learn side by side, Lincoln values diversity and develops critical thinking and communication skills, with learning that looks both to the local community and to the wider world. Individual college counselling helps every student plan a path toward their own goals.

Campus

Overlooking the Damariscotta River, the campus has five academic buildings, including a STEM centre and modern science facilities, along with 3D printers and wood and metal workshops. Tennis courts, baseball and softball fields and a turf field support a full range of learning and sport.

Boarders live in double rooms, usually with a roommate from another country, so English and cross-cultural experience are part of everyday life. Maine has many ski areas, making skiing a winter highlight, and the school uses the surrounding community itself as a place to learn.

Location

Lincoln Academy sits in Newcastle on the Maine coast, surrounded by coastline, historic villages and harbour towns typical of New England. Students can walk from campus into Newcastle and Damariscotta for shopping, dining, the local library and the cinema. The school is about an hour's drive north-east of Portland International Jetport (PWM).

Summers are relatively cool, averaging around 20°C; winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures often below freezing. Annual precipitation is about 1,223 mm.

Address: 81 Academy Hill Rd, Newcastle, ME 04553

SAT Results

Lincoln Academy average: 1245 (U.S. average: 1045)

Academics

Lincoln offers a broad, comprehensive curriculum shaped around each student's interests and plans. Alongside English, mathematics, social studies and science, students choose from electives in STEM, design and engineering, art, music, theatre and wellness. Honors classes offer more challenging work, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses let students take on college-level study.

World languages include Japanese and French, and specialised courses such as computer science, robotics, woodworking and ocean science let students go deep in areas they care about.

International students receive ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) support, helping them build their English while settling into the American school system. On weekends, boarders use a supervised study hall and join volunteer activities, campfires and other events.

School Focus

Beyond academic growth, Lincoln Academy aims to develop students who think, decide and act for themselves. The school places particular emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving and a global outlook that understands different cultures and values.

Character is an equally important part of a Lincoln education: compassion, integrity, perseverance and service to others. Through school life and activities, students learn to work with others and to lead, and are supported in widening their own possibilities.

Faculty

With a student–teacher ratio of about 13 to 1 and an average class size of 14, every student gets individual attention. Teachers look after students' social and personal growth as well as their academics, helping each one make the most of their education. College counsellors work with every student throughout the university search and application process.

AP Courses

Lincoln offers 20 AP courses, including:

AP English

AP Physics

AP Environmental Science, and more

Sports & Activities

More than 40 clubs and activities, and more than 30 sports across the fall, winter and spring seasons.

Soccer

Basketball

Baseball

Tennis

Lacrosse

Swimming

Wrestling

Cross Country

VEX Robotics

Model UN

Math Team

Debate Team

Theatre

Music, and more

Reputation

Founded in 1801 and long rooted in its Maine community, Lincoln Academy has built an international learning environment that draws students from across the United States and around the world. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and is a member of the Maine Association of Independent Schools, the Association of Independent Schools in New England and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Alumni include academics, entrepreneurs, engineers and politicians.

Lincoln's VEX Robotics, Model UN, Math Team and Debate Team compete at state and national level. In sport, the wrestling team has won the KVAC (Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference) team title, boys' basketball has reached the state final four and final eight, and cross country and girls' tennis have won state and regional titles.

University Destinations

Brown University

Columbia University

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

University of Pennsylvania

Rice University

Williams College

New York University

Northeastern University, and more