Lincoln Academy tour guides lead a group of eighth graders from Great Salt Bay School on a tour of Lincoln Academy on Tuesday, February 1. LA is hosting students from local sending schools for tours this week and next week.
For the first time since February 2020, local eighth grade students are able to tour Lincoln Academy in-person as they make their decision about where to attend high school next year.
Tour guides Thaddeus Eddyblouin ’23 and Kellen Adickes 25 with GSB eighth graders in Lincoln Academy’s Poe Theater
“Last year we didn’t get to have students on campus at all because of Covid,” said Kelley Duffy, Lincoln Academy’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction, who is also the parent of an eighth grader. “It makes a real difference for students to see the campus for themselves. Many students, even those at Great Salt Bay, have never actually been inside the buildings here at LA. Being on campus helps students with nerves, and it makes the process more real and less intimidating. Middle school students have no idea that we offer some of these programs, like robotics and ceramics, and they get so excited!”
Members of the LA band playing for eighth graders as part of their campus visit.
Visits include an info session with admissions and school counselors, student-led tours, a performance by LA musicians, a panel discussion where eighth graders can ask questions of current students, and a chance to see the LA robotics team robot.
“The 8th graders were pretty receptive,” said LA senior Sonny Cumming, one of the student tour guides. “They really like hearing the band play and seeing the ceramics room. The eighth grade day is super beneficial–kids will be better prepared to come here next year. Some of them are still deciding which school to go to, but even the students who are already certain they are coming to LA learn stuff about what is up here, and I think it helps them adjust to high school.”
“It is wonderful to see everyone,” said Eliza Gleason, Director of the LA Career and Academic Counseling Office. “After the tours we really hope students will take all of this in, and then go home and reflect with their parents about their goals for their next four years of high school. Once they have had a chance to think about it, we will visit their schools and help them make decisions about classes for next year.”
Great Salt Bay eighth graders touring LA
After the campus visits, LA will host virtual meetings on February 8 and 10 at 6:30 pm to answer student and parent questions about the transition to high school. These two sessions are identical, and students are encouraged to attend one or the other. Links for the sessions are available on the LA website calendar. After those virtual sessions, representatives from LA will visit the AOS93 sending schools to help students sign up for their ninth grade classes.
Students not enrolled in an AOS93 school can work on class registrations individually with help from the LA Admissions and Career and Academic Counseling Offices. For questions about enrolling at Lincoln Academy, please call the Career and Academic Counseling Office at 207-563-3596 ext. 1111 or 2128.
