Nikki Flinn, Superintendent of SchoolsLincoln Unified School District 298 has built its approach around putting students first while creating the conditions for them to succeed academically and beyond graduation.
The district combines small classes and close teacher-student relationships with individualized academic support and career preparation. Its rural setting supports small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio, while teachers, families and community partners help broaden the range of opportunities available to students.
“We have a smaller community with supportive parents and a community that stands behind our school district in making sure that all kids are supported and can be successful in anything they want to do,” says Nikki Flinn, superintendent of schools.
Supporting Students at Every Stage
Lincoln provides an early foundation through all-day preschool for three- and four-year-olds, preparing students before they enter kindergarten and helping them remain on track as they progress through school.
That focus continues through individual academic plans and progress monitoring three times a year. Staff meet monthly to identify student needs, use data to guide decisions and determine where interventions or additional support are needed. The district has seen improving test scores, while additional support services are directed toward students who are at risk of falling behind.
Supporting that work are highly qualified and experienced educators whom the district works to bring into its rural community. Lincoln also invests in their continued development through tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
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We have a smaller community with supportive parents and a community that stands behind our school district in making sure that all kids are supported and can be successful in anything they want to do.
The district also draws on a strong network of parents, businesses and community organizations. Private donations sustain a community-led education foundation, which provides curriculum and other resources. Local banks remain major supporters of the school, providing work-study opportunities and contributing their time. At the same time, the parent-led PTCO brings additional resources back through student activities, teacher grants and school supplies.
Technology further supports learning, with one-to-one access throughout the district. Teachers determine when and how much technology to use, balancing digital learning with the individual support and relationships central to the student experience.
Preparing Students for What Comes Next
A well-rounded education at Lincoln includes athletics alongside a range of activities beyond sports, including e-sports, FFA, StuCo and NHS, as well as fine arts, wood shop, metal shop and a student-run screen-printing business. Its CTE program provides hands-on learning through workplace placements or dual-credit opportunities, with some students also earning certifications that can put them a step ahead academically or prepare them to enter the workforce after graduation. Elementary character education further gives students a foundation in character building, with daily activities designed to reinforce those values and help students understand right from wrong.
Lincoln is proud of its recognition through the Kansas Can Star programs, including areas tied to graduation and postsecondary success. Its goal is to prepare students for different paths after high school, whether that means college, vocational training, the military or the workforce, with some students earning certifications before graduation.
It views sustaining that work as a matter of staying focused on what Lincoln can control, continuing to improve where needed, without losing sight of the core values that guide its work. Lincoln’s priorities include retaining quality teachers, which the district sees as fundamental to its success, while expanding CTE offerings, increasing early-childhood access and continuing to grow activities and opportunities for students.
As the district looks ahead, expanding early learning, CTE and student activities reflects the same goal that has shaped its approach so far. Lincoln continues to use the advantages of a small-school setting to give students both personal support and broad opportunities to determine what comes next.
