Navigating Graduation: Diploma Requirements at Lincoln Academy

Securing a high school diploma is a pivotal step toward future opportunities. For students attending Lincoln Academy, understanding the specific graduation requirements is crucial. This article breaks down the requirements and additional programs offered at Lincoln Academy, providing clarity for students and their families.

Core Graduation Requirements

The minimum graduation requirements for the graduating class of 2019-2020 include a spread of courses designed to provide a well-rounded education. These requirements are:

English: 4 credits
Mathematics: 3 credits
Science: 3 credits
Social Studies: 3.5 credits
Physical Education (PE): 1 credit
Health: 0.5 credit
Practical Arts: 1 credit
Fine Arts: 1 credit
Electives: 7.0 credits

In addition to completing the required coursework, students must also fulfill several other requirements to qualify for graduation from KCPS. These include passing proficiency exams, taking the ACT, SAT, ASVAB, or ACT WorkKeys Test, and meeting all district disciplinary and financial obligations.

Additional Graduation Requirements

Beyond the standard curriculum, additional graduation requirements may be established to meet the demands of specific programs of study. These requirements are outlined in a chart to provide clarity.

Missouri Assessment Program

The Missouri Assessment Program plays a crucial role in evaluating students' progress toward mastering the Missouri Learning Standards, which serve as the educational benchmarks in the state.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

Lincoln Academy supports the International Baccalaureate program, which aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people. The IB program focuses on intercultural understanding and respect. It collaborates with schools, governments, and international organizations to create challenging international education programs with rigorous assessment.

Parent Support Community

Lincoln Prep benefits from a strong parent support community that enriches the lives of its students.

A+ Program

The A+ program offers a financial incentive to students who maintain good grades, attendance, and citizenship. To qualify, students must have at least 95 percent attendance, a 3.0 GPA, and complete 50 hours of community service over their four years of high school. Qualifying students can earn scholarship money toward any two-year community college or technical/vocational school.

Early College Academy (ECA)

The Early College Academy (ECA) is a partnership between KCPS and MCC-Penn Valley. This program allows qualified and highly motivated high school juniors and seniors to attend college classes full time on the Penn Valley campus. Students graduate with both their high school diploma and an Associate’s degree.

Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy (LCA)

Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy (LCA) aims to develop the strength of character necessary for cadets to become successful, responsible citizens. LCA provides a safe, drug-free environment, free from external distractions, to allow for teaching, learning, and growth.

Maintaining a Consistent Environment at LCA

To ensure the effectiveness of LCA, a consistent set of rules and regulations is maintained. Exceptions to these policies are only considered in extreme circumstances.

Supporting Cadets at LCA

Family and friends can support cadets by sending books, greeting cards, letters, and pictures to keep them motivated and ease homesickness. Positive reinforcement is crucial for their success at the academy.

Important Guidelines for Parents and Guardians

Timeliness: Be on time when picking up and returning your cadet to the academy.
Contraband: A cadet in possession of contraband may face dismissal.
Official Information: All official information will be sent from the academy staff.
Phone Calls: Cadets will make phone calls home on their designated day. Encourage them to stay if they express a desire to leave.
Exaggerations: Cadets may exaggerate their experiences. Contact the Cadet Counselor to confirm questionable information.
Serious Issues: You will be contacted in the event of a serious illness, accident, or disciplinary action.
Contact Information: Keep your address and telephone number current with the academy.
Program Completion: Not all cadets will obtain their Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate or complete all their Credit Recovery courses while at LCA.
Life Plan Goals: Ask your cadet about their Life Plan goals and be prepared to help them meet those goals.
Transportation Costs: Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation costs for authorized passes, voluntary program departures, and dismissals.

Cadet Guide

Each cadet receives a Cadet guide during the Acclimation Phase, which includes standards, rules, and policies. They are tested on this material and keep the manual for the duration of the 22-week program.

Disciplinary Board

If a cadet is recommended for a Disciplinary Board, the parent/guardian will be contacted and informed of the reason and possible outcomes.

Health and Welfare Checks

Cadets are subject to random health and welfare checks to ensure the safety and security of all members of the academy. This includes random body checks with security wands.

Read also: Affording LMU: A Guide

Vapes

Possession of a vape pen will result in loss of off-campus privileges for the remainder of the class, a 10-day restriction, and one session of MRP. A second offense may result in separation from Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy.

Disciplinary Actions

A cadet is only required to appear before the Disciplinary Board in the case of a serious infraction. The Director reviews the recommendation of the Disciplinary Board and any cadet appeal before making the final determination.

Hands-Off Leadership Policy

LCA operates under a Hands-Off Leadership Policy, which prohibits staff members from touching a cadet or using abusive language as a means of coercive leadership. Staff are trained in Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Intervention.

Medical Needs

LCA Medical Staff will provide for your cadet’s medical needs. If convenient care/ER is needed, the parent/guardian will be notified and is financially responsible for any payments to the facility.

Prescriptions & Insurance

Parents/guardians are responsible for keeping their cadet supplied with ongoing prescriptions. All over-the-counter medicine must arrive sealed, and prescriptions must have current labels. Parents/guardians are responsible for prescription copays.

Appointments

Cadets are required to be at the academy for a minimum of 147 days during the 5-month Residential Phase. Routine appointments should be scheduled during pass periods or after the 5 months. No overnight passes can be granted, and all non-emergency medical appointments are subject to approval by the Office of the Director.

Encouragement and Motivation

Write to your cadet often with encouragement and positive news. Be positive and encouraging during phone calls home, emphasizing their significance and belonging.

Motivational Statements

"It may get tough, but it’s a small price to pay for working toward a dream. There are no shortcuts to any place worth going."
"The more you quit, the more you risk making quitting a habit."
"Most things aren’t impossible; most people just give up too soon."
"Just decide that you’re not going to quit. No matter what. Period. End of Story."

Support Upon Return Home

Support the positive changes in your youth. Help them believe they are good at something and are gaining mastery over something in their life. Encourage them to contribute to their family, community, and society.

Encouraging Good Habits

Work alongside these youth as they follow leads on jobs, sign up for college classes, talk to a military recruiter, or set up times to talk to an organization about volunteering.

Maintaining Good Habits

Join forces with your youth to continue the good habits they have developed, such as eating healthier, drinking more water, exercising, and giving up any bad habits such as smoking/vaping, drug, and alcohol use.

Communication

Call the Cadet’s Case Manager whenever you have questions and every month after they graduate from the Residential Phase of the program.

GED or High School Diploma/Credit Recovery Path

Immediately after the Acclimation Phase, all cadets will attend GED or High School Diploma/Credit Recovery path classes. The Credit Recovery path provides the opportunity to either recover credits for classes that they received no credit for in the past or to continue with their credit earning while in the Residential Phase. The Credit Recovery path focuses on Math, Reading, Language Arts, Science, and Social Sciences. Additional credits can be recovered/earned in Physical Education, Vocational Courses, Choir, Percussion, Military Prep, Health and Hygiene, Nutrition, and Drivers Education.

Credit Recovery Guidelines

All assignments in the Credit Recovery path must be completed and turned in for grade. Failure to return assigned work will result in failing the class. If a cadet is failing a Credit Recovery class by the end of week 18, they will lose off-campus privileges until a passing grade is achieved, be placed on a 10-day restriction, and serve 1 session of MRP.

GED Scores

The cadets are the owners of their GED scores. Information on how to access their GED account, scores, and diploma will be given to them at Commencement (graduation).

FAFSA Requirement

The FAFSA is required to obtain a High School Diploma in Illinois.

Mentor Program

All cadets must have a “recruited” Mentor before attending day one of Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy. Prospective Mentors must complete a screening process and attend training at the LCA Campus to be matched with Cadets.

Post-Residential Phase

While in the Residential Phase, your Cadets will develop a Life Plan to guide them in their Post-Residential Phase. To be considered positively placed, a Cadet must have 25 hours of weekly placement, which can include re-enrolling in high school, continuing to community college or trade school, joining the military, finding a job, and/or volunteer work.

Commencement Assistance

As the cadets approach commencement (graduation), be prepared to assist them in meeting these goals, as cadets often need parents/guardians to help them in filling out financial aid documents, picking up college, job, and/or volunteer applications.

Registrar’s Office

The Registrar’s Office is tasked with maintaining all cadet official files.

Corps Pass

All cadets are required to leave LCA on Corps Pass. Cadets who arrive at the Academy on day one by bus or van will depart for Corps Pass by bus or van, unless otherwise coordinated with the Case Managers. Cadets who arrived by privately owned vehicles will need to be picked up by a person listed on the Pass Sign-out Authorization Form. Returning late will result in disciplinary actions. Corp passes are scheduled during Easter and Thanksgiving holidays for the corresponding class and Cadets are allowed to go to their place of residency. All other off-campus passes are granted for medical reasons only. A family can get authorization for a 2-hour on-campus birthday pass for the Cadet if the Cadet has 25 or more merits.

Drug Testing

Drug testing of cadets will be conducted randomly throughout the class. If a cadet tests positive, they will be released from the Academy.

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