Our School

Who we are

We are the parents (and others fulfilling that role) and teachers of the students enrolled in Lincoln Elementary School in the Olympia School District, Olympia, Washington. The Options Program is the non-profit corporation we have established to help us support the district-wide alternative elementary program at Lincoln that is also called "The Options Program." Our corporation is managed by a council of parents and teachers we elect yearly.

History

The program began as two multi-age classrooms at McKinley Elementary School in 1984. The program was popular, expanded, and in 1995 Lincoln Elementary became an alternative elementary school offering the Options program to Olympia School District and Lincoln service area families.

The Options Program, which now includes twelve classrooms with a total enrollment of about 300 students, encourages active parent participation and offers an educational choice for families in the Olympia School District, along with Hanson Alternative Program, Marshall Alternative Program (MAP), ALKI and Avanti High School.

Program Beliefs

 

  • Curiosity and creativity are innate in all children.
  • A school can enhance a child's desire to explore and experiment.
  • Thought and expression develop out of experience.
  • Each child is a unique being, developing at an individual pace.
  • Learning should nurture a sense of caring for other people and the environment.

 

Program Goals

 

  • Children will discover that what happens at school, at home, and in the community is a part of the learning process.
  • Children will see themselves as participants in their education.
  • Children will learn in an atmosphere of mutual respect and support.
  • Children will be guided to achieve their full potential.

 

School as Community

Annual events such as the Lincoln Community Dance, Harvest Festival, All-School Theme Night and Art Walk, Camp Cispus and Camp Elderberry bring us together as a community. More importantly, they help us celebrate—together—the joys of communal learning.