In the 2017–2018 school year, Lincoln's student population was 71.1% white, 10.4% Asian, 8.3% Hispanic, 1.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 8.4% mixed race. About 91% of its students live within the school's neighborhood. In 2008, 89% of the school's seniors received a high school diploma. Of 372 students, 330 graduated, 34 dropped out, four received a modified diploma, and four were still enrolled in high school the following year. For the 2010–11 school year, Lincoln had the highest overall graduation rate among Portland Public high schools, at 84 percent. About 90% of its Asian-American students graduated on time, as did 88% of Latino students. However, only 38% of its African-American students graduated on time, which was the worst rate in the district.
Activities
Lincoln's constitution team has won 23 state championships and six national titles.
History
19th century
With an initial enrollment of 45 students, the school was established in 1869 as the Portland High School in the North Central School sited on Block 80 of Couch's Addition. The principal was J.W. Johnson. The high school moved from the top floors of the North Central School to the Central School in 1873 and moved again to the Park School in 1878. The first building to be known as Lincoln High School was built at SW 14th and Morrison in 1885, but was still named West Side High School at the time. The land for the 14th and Morrison School was given to the school district by Mrs. Simeon G. Reed in 1869 and the building was designed by William Stokes, an architect who had recently moved to Portland from Oakland, California. The building was situated in the block bounded by 14th, Morrison, Lownsdale and Alder Streets. In 1889, a "very successful" night school program was started at the first purpose-built building at SW 14th and Morrison.
20th century
The school was renamed Lincoln High School in 1909, and moved to the 45-room South Park Blocks location when construction was completed in 1912. The building occupies the block bounded by Market & Mill Streets and Park & Broadway. In 1937, the school had grown to 1,580 students and 53 teachers. In 1972, it had 1,253 students, 7% of whom were black ; 4.3% of the students were on welfare. Due to the baby boom and passing of a $25 million building levy by the school district in 1947, a new high school was slated. The existing building was sold to the Vanport Extension Center in April 1949 for $875,000, with the intention that the high school would not leave for "at least two years." Land was cleared for the school by June 1950 on the former Jacob Kamm House property.
21st century
Lincoln is slated to be completely rebuilt as part of a $790 million bond measure passed in 2017. Construction is set to begin in the summer of 2020, with students returning at the beginning of the 2023 school year.
