Lincoln School District is a prek-12 district that provides education to K-6 students at Lincoln Community School while the Lincoln students in grades 7-12 participate in our choice/tuition program for middle and high school. We encourage families and students to research which school is the best option for them. 

Both options are only for families who can demonstrate that they are residents of Lincoln so please visit our Proof of Residency page if you have any questions about your student(s) eligibility.

How does it work?

Since Lincoln School District is a non-operating choice district for grades 7-12, parents and guardians of Lincoln students in those grades can choose to enroll their child in any public or approved independent school. The process is as follows: 

1. Parents and guardians, along with their students, select a school, complete the enrollment at that school. It is important to note that we do not handle the enrollment of your student; that responsibility lies with you and the school of your choice.

2. After completing the enrollment paperwork, we ask that parents inform us of your chosen school. Typically, I send out a confidential survey in the spring to gather this information. 

3. Once we have confirmation on where students are enrolled, we collaborate with those schools to support families through events like step-up or orientation days.

4. In the Fall, once we have confirmed the enrollment lists with these schools, we work with their business offices to reconcile our enrollment lists and we provide the tuition payment on the student’s behalf. 

Where are Lincoln students going to school?  Since the beginning of this program, most of our students in grades 7-12 attend MAUSD. However, some students also enroll in other schools. These include public schools within the Champlain Valley School District and the Addison Central School District. Additionally, a few students attend approved independent schools, such as Pond Brook School, Lake Champlain Waldorf School, or Rice Memorial High School.

What about transportation?  Since establishing our district, our board has committed to providing transportation to and from our nearest middle and high school (MAUSD). Families who choose to attend schools other than MAUSD will need to arrange their own transportation. We will send out a survey in the summer to gather information about your transportation needs.

What is an Approved Independent School?  Approved independent schools are different from recognized independent schools in that the state approves some schools for the use of public tuition dollars. This explanation of this difference and the annual list of approved schools can be found on the Vermont Agency of Education’s website.

What if we change our mind?  Students may change schools during their 7-12 grade school year and we simply ask that you inform us and we will partner with your new school of choice.

What if we move out of Lincoln?  If your family moves out of Lincoln your eligibility for Lincoln tuition ends so we ask that you let us and that you let your school know.

What about snow days or differences in calendars? The regional superintendents work hard to develop common school calendars but they are not always perfectly aligned. You must pay attention to the calendars and notices from your school of enrollment.

If Lincoln SD calls a delay or a cancellation due to inclement weather, MAUSD has likely made the same decision. On the rare occasion that we make different decisions, we will notify our 7-12 families attending MAUSD because many of them are riding the LIncoln bus to MAUSD.

How has Act 73 of 2025 changed things? Act 73 has not had any immediate effects on choice enrollment in public schools. Unless legislators take action this session to enforce forced consolidation of districts, or unless the Lincoln community decides to consolidate, Lincoln’s choice program will remain unchanged for public school options. However, there have been some modifications regarding choices related to approved independent schools. Act 73 has reduced the number of independent schools eligible to receive public funds to just Eighteen (18) schools, which meet specific criteria. Unfortunately, the approved independent schools that our students currently attend are not on this new approved list. This does not impact our students currently enrolled becauseAct 73 includee a grandfather clause that permits those students who are already enrolled or have been accepted to continue their enrollment. However, starting July 1, 2025, no new students will be permitted to use public tuition to attend independent schools that are not on the newly approved list.