The Best Private Schools in Lincoln, Rhode Island
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lincoln. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Wheeler School
Independent
The Wheeler School is a highly respected independent day school serving students from nursery through grade 12. Located just minutes from Lincoln in Providence's East Side, Wheeler offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on arts integration and innovative teaching methods. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including dedicated science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With small class sizes and a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Wheeler provides personalized attention and has a strong track record of college placements at selective institutions.
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Moses Brown School
Independent (Friends School)
Moses Brown School is one of New England's oldest and most prestigious independent schools, located in Providence and serving families throughout the Lincoln area. As a Friends school, it emphasizes Quaker values of community, simplicity, and peaceful conflict resolution. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory program with exceptional facilities including a new science and innovation center, extensive athletic fields, and modern arts spaces. With a diverse student body and commitment to character education, Moses Brown prepares students for top colleges while fostering personal growth and social responsibility.
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Lincoln School
Independent (All-Girls)
Lincoln School is Rhode Island's only independent school for girls, serving students from preschool through grade 12. Located in Providence's East Side, the school provides a supportive environment specifically designed to foster girls' academic and leadership potential. The curriculum emphasizes STEM education, with particularly strong programs in science and mathematics, alongside comprehensive arts and athletics offerings. Lincoln School features modern facilities including dedicated science labs, innovation spaces, and athletic centers, and maintains a strong college placement record with graduates attending competitive universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lincoln, Rhode Island
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Lincoln, Rhode Island?
While Lincoln itself is home to the prestigious Lincoln School (a historic all-girls, K-12 institution), families in Lincoln commonly consider several top-tier independent schools in the immediate Greater Providence area. These include The Wheeler School in Providence, which offers a co-ed, nursery-through-12th-grade program with a strong arts and innovation focus, and Moses Brown School in Providence, a Quaker-based co-ed school for pre-K through 12th grade known for its rigorous academics and emphasis on community. Many Lincoln families also look at schools like St. Mary Academy - Bay View in Riverside and La Salle Academy in Providence. The proximity to Providence provides Lincoln residents with a rich array of private educational choices within a reasonable commute.
How does tuition for private schools in the Lincoln, RI area compare, and are there state-specific financial aid resources?
Tuition for day schools in the Lincoln/Providence area for the 2024-2025 academic year typically ranges from approximately $30,000 to $45,000 for upper grades, with elementary levels often slightly lower. In addition to need-based financial aid offered directly by each school (which can be substantial), Rhode Island residents have access to unique state programs. The most notable is the Rhode Island Corporate Scholarship Tax Credit program, which provides scholarships for K-12 tuition to eligible families, funded by donations from local businesses. It's crucial to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admission, using the SSS (School and Student Services) platform. Schools like Lincoln School, Wheeler, and Moses Brown all have significant endowment-funded aid budgets to support socio-economic diversity.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable among private schools accessible from Lincoln, RI?
Schools in this region offer distinct specializations. The Lincoln School, being the state's only independent school for girls, has a renowned STEM and leadership program, including its "Girls in Engineering" initiative. The Wheeler School features the "Innovation Lab" and a strong partnership with the adjacent Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Moses Brown School emphasizes Quaker values in its "Friends Education" and has a leading environmental science program centered on its 33-acre campus. Furthermore, given Rhode Island's coastal location, several schools have robust marine biology and sailing programs. The proximity to Brown University and other colleges also facilitates unique internships and advanced research opportunities for high school students in these schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Lincoln, RI area?
The admission process for schools like Lincoln School, Wheeler, and Moses Brown is highly coordinated and follows a similar timeline across the region. Key steps include: 1) **Spring/Summer before applying:** Attend open houses and tours (often starting in the spring for the following fall). 2) **September-January:** Submit applications, which are typically due in early to mid-January for the following academic year. 3) **Fall/Winter:** Student visits and interviews (for applicable grades) and standardized testing (like the ISEE or SSAT). 4) **February/March:** Admission decisions are released, usually around March 10th in alignment with the Providence Area Independent Schools consortium. 5) **March/April:** Reply deadlines for accepted families. It is highly recommended to begin research and campus visits at least a year in advance, especially for entry into competitive middle or high school grades.
How do the educational environments and outcomes of private schools like Lincoln School compare to the highly-regarded Lincoln Public Schools in Rhode Island?
Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) are consistently ranked among the top public districts in Rhode Island, offering a strong, tuition-free education. The choice often comes down to specific family priorities. Private schools like Lincoln School offer smaller class sizes (often 12-15 students), single-gender education (at Lincoln School), and often more flexibility in curriculum innovation and specialized programming. They may also have more extensive global studies, arts, and athletics facilities. Public schools in Lincoln provide excellent academic outcomes, broader demographic diversity, and deep community integration. The decision frequently involves considering the value of a particular pedagogical approach (e.g., Quaker values at Moses Brown, girl-centered learning at Lincoln School) versus the community-based, comprehensive offering of the public system. Many families in Lincoln weigh the significant financial investment of private school against the high quality of the free public option.
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