Special report
GRAMBLING, La. — Lincoln Preparatory School is proud to announce significant literacy gains across grades Kindergarten through Third Grade, demonstrating the impact of sustained instructional improvement, targeted interventions, and an unwavering commitment to student success.
Over the past two school years, Lincoln Prep students have shown measurable growth in reading proficiency as measured by DIBELS 8 Benchmark assessments. The results reflect the school’s continued focus on building strong foundational literacy skills and ensuring that every student develops the ability to read, comprehend, and succeed academically.
During the 2024–2025 school year, Lincoln Prep’s K–3 students increased the percentage of students reading on or above grade level from 32% at the beginning of the year to 51% by the end of the year, representing a 19-percentage-point increase and surpassing the statewide average growth of 17 percentage points.
The momentum continued during the 2025–2026 school year. Schoolwide, the percentage of students performing at or above benchmark increased from 32% to 51%, while the percentage of students below benchmark was reduced by more than half. More than half of all students finished the year reading at or above benchmark expectations.
Grade-level growth highlights include:
• Kindergarten increased from 19% to 49% reading at or above benchmark during 2025–2026, a gain of 30 percentage points.
• First Grade increased from 32% to 75% during 2024–2025, a gain of 43 percentage points.
• Second Grade increased from 33% to 53% during 2024–2025, a gain of 20 percentage points.
• Third Grade increased from 34% to 59% during 2025–2026, representing the strongest growth among all grade levels and a gain of 25 percentage points.
Executive Director Rashid Young commended students, parents, and the faculty for their hard work, “The students, parents, and faculty deserve this recognition for all of their hard work and dedication. Lincoln Prep continues to outpace the state average for literacy growth. This year alone, we surpassed the state average by 2.5 percentage points. That’s the Prep Way!”
The school attributes its success to high-quality instructional materials, dedicated intervention periods, data-driven decision-making, instructional coaching, and a relentless focus on foundational literacy skills. Through strategic investments in reading instruction and targeted support systems, Lincoln Prep has created conditions that allow students to accelerate their growth and close achievement gaps.
While celebrating these accomplishments, school leaders remain focused on continuous improvement. Priorities for the upcoming school year include strengthening Tier I literacy instruction, expanding intervention supports, increasing instructional rigor, and enhancing progress-monitoring systems to ensure every student continues moving toward proficiency.
About Lincoln Preparatory School
Lincoln Preparatory School is a public charter school serving students in grades Pre-K through 12 in Grambling, Louisiana. The school is dedicated to preparing students for success in college, career, and life through academic excellence, leadership development, and meaningful community partnerships. Rashid Young serves as Executive Director.
