Abraham Lincoln High School (Des Moines)
Encyclopedia
Abraham Lincoln High School, also referred to as Lincoln High School or Lincoln, is a secondary school
located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. It is the largest high school in the state. It is one of five secondary schools
under the district
of the Des Moines Public Schools
, and was named after the 16th United States president
Abraham Lincoln
. The school sports team has been named after one of President Lincoln's nicknames, the "Rail Splitter" (the "Lincoln Railsplitters" or "Rails"). It is known as the Pride of the South Side.
. During this time, the south side of Des Moines was home to new urban development. This further increased enrollment and the need for an additional school. A bond issue was passed on March 18, 1918, that provided the funds to build the school. By 1923, construction was completed, at a cost of $949,754.95 USD
.
At that time, the school had 55 classrooms, a swimming pool, two gymnasiums, several labs, an art and music room, cafeteria, and an auditorium, providing for a total student capacity of 1,300 people.
In 1962 an additional wing was constructed, which added additional classrooms, additional laboratory areas, and a library with over 13,000 volumes.
A male faculty lounge was added in 1963. An existing light-well was enclosed to provide for this new room.
In 1964, further expansions were contracted at a total cost of $1,667,000. This provided for the construction of the Roundhouse, home to the indoor sporting venues. On the lower level, a new swimming pool and boys' locker room was constructed. The old swimming pool was converted to classroom space, but the old gymnasiums are still in use. The old locker rooms were remodeled into the girls' locker rooms.
There are a number of prized possessions at the school. In the floor of the vestibule is the school monogram done in bronze, surrounded by a design in variegated marble. On the south wall is a portrait of “The Boy Lincoln” painted by Russell Cowles, a former student of West High School. On the north wall is “Lincoln the Statesman” painted by William Reaser. In the Main corridor is a bronze bust of Lincoln, the work of Laurence Stewart, former student of East High.
The cornerstone of the old Lincoln School, which used to be at Ninth and Mulberry Streets, has been set as a memorial on the Lincoln High lawn. It was presented to the school with appropriate ceremonies when the old school was demolished. This cornerstone is only one of the many reminders of President Lincoln that are preserved by the school. There is a steel engraving of the Lincoln family when Lincoln was in office, also one of the President himself, both presented to the school by Fred Foss. A piece of log from Lincoln’s cabin birth place was presented by W. L. King, a former school teacher. An engraving of the national monument in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, which was dedicated by President Lincoln with his famous Gettysburg Address
, is also in the collection. In the auditorium above the stage are the words of that famous address done in gold.
nasium" occupies the second and third levels in the main concourse (with the entrance on the second level). The Roundhouse is the primary gym
nasium in use at Lincoln. The upper level an arena with a capacity of 2,500 people. On the lower level of the Roundhouse are the weight-training area, boys' locker rooms, and swimming pool. All Freshman classes have moved to the Kurtz Junior High building.
On the opposite side of Bell Avenue are two student parking lots, tennis courts, a general practice field, and Hutchens Stadium (home to football and track events).
Art classes include Painting/Drawing/Multi-Media, 3D design, and AP Studio Art. Each year the art department competes in exhibitions and art shows. The art club is called The Dorian Art Club.
Music
Musical groups at Lincoln include Concert Band, Marching Band, Chamber and Concert Choir, Sound Attraction Show Choir, Infinity Show Choir, Freshmen Prep Choir, and Orchestra. The Vocal Music director is Michael Walag, assisted by Joel Gettys. Joe Spiess assists with show choir choreography. The directors of the LHS band are Kevin Steggman and Darin Bartachek.
Drama
The Drama Department has won awards especially in the area of IHSSA. The Drama Department presents two full-length performances each year. The new drama director is Sarah Zdenek.
An annual event is the Gladrigal or Gladrigal Dinner, held since 2005 to showcase the vocal music departments together with the school's arts and drama students. The term "Gladrigal" combines the traditional notions of a Madrigal Feast and the lyric "Put your glad rags on . . ." from Rock Around the Clock
. The event consists of a simple meal, such as an Italian spaghetti and meatballs dinner, with salad and breadsticks, with the food donated by community businesses and the labor donated by the parents of students, punctuated by musical selections from the show choir, chamber choir, concert choirs, and the like, often backed up by the school's jazz band or show choir ensemble. Musical skits are sometimes also performed. The music performed is usually mixed choral music, with a heavy emphasis on music from the 1950s forward.
Journalism
The official school newspaper is The Railsplitter. The Railsplitter received merit recognition from the National
Scholastic Press Association, Columbia School of Journalism. This is the highest recognition given to
a high school publication. There is also an Independent Newspaper called The Random Independent created by Freshman at Lincoln South.
Lincoln High School has 19 sports - ten for boys and nine for girls - there are ample opportunities for students to get involved, either as a participant or a team manager.
The Girls Basketball Team has one of the best basketball programs in the state. They have been ranked in the top 10 every year under Coach Jerry Schartner. During the 2001-2002 season they were ranked 7th in the nation.
Lincoln's other standout sport is baseball. The Rails have had many state titles, state appearances and conference championship titles under Head Coach Quijano.
During the 2006 season the Girls Swim team defeated the schools arch-rival Roosevelt for the first time in the school's history.
The Football team's success includes two straight conference championship titles and two straight play-off appearances. In 2007 the streak ended but even so the team still finished with a 4-1 conference record and 7-2 overall.
The 2007 softball team had a great season with its first state trip since 2003 beating second-ranked East High School to get there.
following is West High School
in Davenport
. 76.9% of the student body is of White (European-American) descent (down from 79.3% in the 2004-2005 school year). The leading ethnic group by enrollment is that of Latino descent, and they are followed by Black (African-American), Asian, and Indian (Native American or Alaskan Native). This makes the school the least diverse of the other high schools in the Des Moines Public School district
.
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Year !! Total !! Seniors
(12th grade) !! Juniors
(11th grade) !! Sophomores
(10th grade) !! Freshmen
(9th grade)
|-
| 2006-2007 > 2,175
481
548
570
| 2005-2006 2,126
396
446
572
| 2004-2005 2,157
391
454
571
| 2003-2004 2,179
411
462
580
All students are required by the district to enroll in four subject courses and a Physical Education course. However, the school compels lower-class students to schedule a full day of classes, in order to ensure satisfaction with district graduation requirements. Juniors and seniors have the option of having an "open period" during the first or last period of the school day ("Seniors may have open periods during any period"). However, juniors require parental permission to have an open period.
The district requires four years of Physical Education. Freshmen and sophomores usually take their P.E. courses at the school. Juniors and seniors have the option of taking alternative P.E. programs, including a bowling class that requires students to commute to a nearby bowling alley. In compliance with state law, students with a full academic schedule can be made exempt from all P.E. requirements for that year or allowed to perform self-study P.E.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. It is the largest high school in the state. It is one of five secondary schools
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
under the district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
of the Des Moines Public Schools
Des Moines Public Schools
The Des Moines Public Schools is the largest public school district in Iowa...
, and was named after the 16th United States president
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
. The school sports team has been named after one of President Lincoln's nicknames, the "Rail Splitter" (the "Lincoln Railsplitters" or "Rails"). It is known as the Pride of the South Side.
History
Lincoln High School was constructed to address the increasing enrollment of students at nearby East High SchoolEast High School (Des Moines)
East High School, usually referred to simply as East, is a secondary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. East was the third largest high school in Iowa with 2,115 students, following Lincoln and West in Davenport as of the 2005-2006 school year...
. During this time, the south side of Des Moines was home to new urban development. This further increased enrollment and the need for an additional school. A bond issue was passed on March 18, 1918, that provided the funds to build the school. By 1923, construction was completed, at a cost of $949,754.95 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
.
At that time, the school had 55 classrooms, a swimming pool, two gymnasiums, several labs, an art and music room, cafeteria, and an auditorium, providing for a total student capacity of 1,300 people.
In 1962 an additional wing was constructed, which added additional classrooms, additional laboratory areas, and a library with over 13,000 volumes.
A male faculty lounge was added in 1963. An existing light-well was enclosed to provide for this new room.
In 1964, further expansions were contracted at a total cost of $1,667,000. This provided for the construction of the Roundhouse, home to the indoor sporting venues. On the lower level, a new swimming pool and boys' locker room was constructed. The old swimming pool was converted to classroom space, but the old gymnasiums are still in use. The old locker rooms were remodeled into the girls' locker rooms.
There are a number of prized possessions at the school. In the floor of the vestibule is the school monogram done in bronze, surrounded by a design in variegated marble. On the south wall is a portrait of “The Boy Lincoln” painted by Russell Cowles, a former student of West High School. On the north wall is “Lincoln the Statesman” painted by William Reaser. In the Main corridor is a bronze bust of Lincoln, the work of Laurence Stewart, former student of East High.
The cornerstone of the old Lincoln School, which used to be at Ninth and Mulberry Streets, has been set as a memorial on the Lincoln High lawn. It was presented to the school with appropriate ceremonies when the old school was demolished. This cornerstone is only one of the many reminders of President Lincoln that are preserved by the school. There is a steel engraving of the Lincoln family when Lincoln was in office, also one of the President himself, both presented to the school by Fred Foss. A piece of log from Lincoln’s cabin birth place was presented by W. L. King, a former school teacher. An engraving of the national monument in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, which was dedicated by President Lincoln with his famous Gettysburg Address
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address is a speech by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and is one of the most well-known speeches in United States history. It was delivered by Lincoln during the American Civil War, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery...
, is also in the collection. In the auditorium above the stage are the words of that famous address done in gold.
Campus
Lincoln has three levels of classrooms, with the Commons and music classrooms located on the lowest level. The "old gymGym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium" occupies the second and third levels in the main concourse (with the entrance on the second level). The Roundhouse is the primary gym
Gym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium in use at Lincoln. The upper level an arena with a capacity of 2,500 people. On the lower level of the Roundhouse are the weight-training area, boys' locker rooms, and swimming pool. All Freshman classes have moved to the Kurtz Junior High building.
On the opposite side of Bell Avenue are two student parking lots, tennis courts, a general practice field, and Hutchens Stadium (home to football and track events).
The Fine Arts
Visual ArtsArt classes include Painting/Drawing/Multi-Media, 3D design, and AP Studio Art. Each year the art department competes in exhibitions and art shows. The art club is called The Dorian Art Club.
Music
Musical groups at Lincoln include Concert Band, Marching Band, Chamber and Concert Choir, Sound Attraction Show Choir, Infinity Show Choir, Freshmen Prep Choir, and Orchestra. The Vocal Music director is Michael Walag, assisted by Joel Gettys. Joe Spiess assists with show choir choreography. The directors of the LHS band are Kevin Steggman and Darin Bartachek.
Drama
The Drama Department has won awards especially in the area of IHSSA. The Drama Department presents two full-length performances each year. The new drama director is Sarah Zdenek.
An annual event is the Gladrigal or Gladrigal Dinner, held since 2005 to showcase the vocal music departments together with the school's arts and drama students. The term "Gladrigal" combines the traditional notions of a Madrigal Feast and the lyric "Put your glad rags on . . ." from Rock Around the Clock
Rock Around the Clock
"Rock Around the Clock" is a 12-bar-blues-based song written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets in 1954...
. The event consists of a simple meal, such as an Italian spaghetti and meatballs dinner, with salad and breadsticks, with the food donated by community businesses and the labor donated by the parents of students, punctuated by musical selections from the show choir, chamber choir, concert choirs, and the like, often backed up by the school's jazz band or show choir ensemble. Musical skits are sometimes also performed. The music performed is usually mixed choral music, with a heavy emphasis on music from the 1950s forward.
Journalism
The official school newspaper is The Railsplitter. The Railsplitter received merit recognition from the National
Scholastic Press Association, Columbia School of Journalism. This is the highest recognition given to
a high school publication. There is also an Independent Newspaper called The Random Independent created by Freshman at Lincoln South.
Athletics
Lincoln is a member of the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. The league is divided into three 6-team conferences as shown below:| Central | Iowa | Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Ankeny | Ames Ames High School Ames High School is the sole high school in Ames, Story County, Iowa.-Academics:January 2008 —Ames High School has been named one of the top high schools in the country by U.S. News and World Report. In its recently released rankings, the magazine awarded Ames High School a silver medal, one of... |
DM East East High School (Des Moines) East High School, usually referred to simply as East, is a secondary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. East was the third largest high school in Iowa with 2,115 students, following Lincoln and West in Davenport as of the 2005-2006 school year... |
| Indianola | Fort Dodge | DM Hoover Herbert Hoover High School (Des Moines) Herbert Hoover High School, usually referred to simply as Hoover High School or Hoover, is a secondary school located on the Northwest side of Des Moines, Iowa. It is one of five secondary schools under the district of the Des Moines Public Schools, and was named after the 31st United States... |
| Johnston | Marshalltown | DM Lincoln Abraham Lincoln High School (Des Moines) Abraham Lincoln High School, also referred to as Lincoln High School or Lincoln, is a secondary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. It is the largest high school in the state. It is one of five secondary schools under the district of the Des Moines Public Schools, and was named after the 16th... |
| Southeast Polk | Mason City | DM North North High School (Des Moines) North High School, usually referred to simply as North, is a secondary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. It is one of five secondary schools under the district of the Des Moines Public Schools.The school's mascot is the Polar Bear.-Curriculum:... |
| Urbandale | Waukee | DM Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt High School (Des Moines) Theodore Roosevelt High School, usually referred to simply as Roosevelt High School or TRHS, is a secondary school located on the west side of Des Moines, Iowa... |
| WDM Dowling Dowling Catholic High School Dowling Catholic High School is a Catholic secondary school in West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines.-Background:... |
WDM Valley | Ottumwa |
Lincoln High School has 19 sports - ten for boys and nine for girls - there are ample opportunities for students to get involved, either as a participant or a team manager.
The Girls Basketball Team has one of the best basketball programs in the state. They have been ranked in the top 10 every year under Coach Jerry Schartner. During the 2001-2002 season they were ranked 7th in the nation.
Lincoln's other standout sport is baseball. The Rails have had many state titles, state appearances and conference championship titles under Head Coach Quijano.
During the 2006 season the Girls Swim team defeated the schools arch-rival Roosevelt for the first time in the school's history.
The Football team's success includes two straight conference championship titles and two straight play-off appearances. In 2007 the streak ended but even so the team still finished with a 4-1 conference record and 7-2 overall.
The 2007 softball team had a great season with its first state trip since 2003 beating second-ranked East High School to get there.
Students
As of the 2005-2006 school year, there were 2,126 students enrolled at Lincoln, which makes the school the largest in IowaIowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
following is West High School
West High School (Davenport, Iowa)
West High School is a public high school located in Davenport, Iowa, United States. The school is one of three public high schools in Davenport; Central and North are the other two.-History:...
in Davenport
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
. 76.9% of the student body is of White (European-American) descent (down from 79.3% in the 2004-2005 school year). The leading ethnic group by enrollment is that of Latino descent, and they are followed by Black (African-American), Asian, and Indian (Native American or Alaskan Native). This makes the school the least diverse of the other high schools in the Des Moines Public School district
Des Moines Public Schools
The Des Moines Public Schools is the largest public school district in Iowa...
.
Enrollment figures
! Year !! Total !! Seniors
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
(12th grade) !! Juniors
Eleventh grade
Eleventh Grade is the eleventh, and for some countries final, grade of secondary schools. Students are typically 16 or 17 years of age, depending on the country and the students' birthdays.-Brazil:...
(11th grade) !! Sophomores
Tenth grade
In majority of the world,Tenth grade is the tenth year of school post-kindergarten. The variants of "10th grade" in various nations is described below.-Australia:...
(10th grade) !! Freshmen
Ninth grade
Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school....
(9th grade)
|-
| 2006-2007 >
| 2005-2006
| 2004-2005
| 2003-2004
Faculty
There are approximately 107 instructors at Lincoln High, which puts the student-teacher ratio at about 20 students per course instructor. There are 76 additional personnel who carry out other administrative duties at Lincoln. In total, the faculty count is approximately 183.Extracurricular activities
Student extracurricular activities include:- Clubs (as of 2005-2006 school year, clubs in italics are defunct)
- Anime Club
- Business Professionals of America
- Computer Club
- DECA
- Dorian Art Club
- Drama Club
- Gamer's Paradise
- International Thespian Society Troupe #4752
- National Honor Society
- Rails Key Club
- Straight and Gay Alliance (SAGA)
- Students Against Drunk Drivers (SADD)
- Activities
- Academic Decathlon
- Academic Letter
- Ambassadors
- Band (Marching, Jazz, Concert, Pep)
- Cheerleading
- Close Up
- Committee Select
- Conflict Management
- Debate/Forensics
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Mermaids Synchronized Swimming
- Minority Achievement Program (MAP)
- Mock Trial
- Quiz Bowl
- Railettes Dance Team
- Railmen
- Science Bound
- Sisters for Success
- Student Council
- Upward Bound
- We the People
- Sports
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Rugby
- Softball
- Swimming
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
- JV Show Choir
- Varsity Show Choir
Curriculum
The school is on a system of "block" scheduling, which shortens the number of classes per day to four; however, each class is significantly longer than in years past. Each student is required to take eight classes with four on each day on an alternating schedule (referred to as "A" and "B" days). The school district requires students to take a number of core academic courses. This includes Social Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Art, and Physical Education. The amount of academic credit needed to satisfy graduation requirements is determined by the school district. Many students also attend Central Academy and Central Campus in downtown Des Moines in order to acquire college credit and technical proficiency.All students are required by the district to enroll in four subject courses and a Physical Education course. However, the school compels lower-class students to schedule a full day of classes, in order to ensure satisfaction with district graduation requirements. Juniors and seniors have the option of having an "open period" during the first or last period of the school day ("Seniors may have open periods during any period"). However, juniors require parental permission to have an open period.
The district requires four years of Physical Education. Freshmen and sophomores usually take their P.E. courses at the school. Juniors and seniors have the option of taking alternative P.E. programs, including a bowling class that requires students to commute to a nearby bowling alley. In compliance with state law, students with a full academic schedule can be made exempt from all P.E. requirements for that year or allowed to perform self-study P.E.