PORT ANGELES — Lincoln High School will take a step into the limelight tonight as it presents itself to the public as an option for student success.

Tucked behind old Lincoln School and the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center, Lincoln High, at 924 W. Ninth St., is often an invisible school in Port Angeles, said its top administrator.

“We are Port Angeles’ best-kept secret,” said Lincoln High School Principal Cindy Crumb.

Crumb will provide information at today’s 5 p.m. public open house, where prospective students, their parents and members of the public can learn about options available to keep students on track for graduation.

The fully accredited alternative high school helps students who have fallen behind in the credits they need to earn a high school diploma because of failed classes, excessive absences or issues with transferring credits from other schools, Crumb said.

Students at the school arrive with a wide range of abilities, from students who struggle to pass algebra — the first of three math courses required for graduation — to those who are taking calculus and physics, she said.

In May, the school’s enrollment counted nine freshmen, 18 sophomores and juniors, and 36 seniors.

Crumb said this year that 12 seniors are slated to graduate at 6 p.m. June 13 in a ceremony at the Peninsula College Little Theater, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.

Tickets are not required to attend the Lincoln graduation.

Dual graduate

Among the 12 seniors will be the school’s first dual graduate, who also will receive an associate degree from Peninsula College at a ceremony in the college gym at 2 p.m. June 15.

The graduates originally were members of the classes of 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Some students who transfer to Lincoln should be seniors but have as few as three credits toward the 24 required for graduation, Crumb said.

Others have 24 or more credits but have the wrong credits, such as students who worked to earn professional certificates but skimped on their academic classes.

“They get caught up in their passion and forget about graduation requirements,” Crumb told the Port Angeles School Board earlier this year.

By the time they discover their mistake, Crumb said, it maybe too late for them to graduate with their class.

“We just need to get the kids earlier,” she said.

Because of the self-paced nature of studies at Lincoln, students can earn more than a year’s credits, often catching up with their original class.

Graduating seniors

William Hartman, 18, who enters Army basic training July 29, and Jessica Blevins, 19, who will attend Peninsula College for a nursing degree, will both graduate on time.

Hartman passed his final graduation requirement Wednesday morning and credits the school’s self-paced math courses for his being able to complete two years of math in a single year.

Blevens added that it takes hard work. Students who think they can “coast” at Lincoln will be unpleasantly surprised, she said.

“Students have to be self-motivated, self-driven,” said Garrett Goudie, 19, a 2013 graduate who took an extra year and is joining the Marine Corps.

Teachers often stay at school until 8 p.m. for students who are on a roll and want to keep working, and will even come in on weekends, all three students noted.

Crumb said teachers’ dedication and small class size are part of why students succeed at Lincoln when they fail elsewhere.

The students deserve a lot of credit, too.

Mentors, peer tutors

Some older students act as mentors or peer tutors, and students encourage each other to succeed, Crumb said.

“They will text each other, ‘Get yourself to school. I don’t want to graduate without you,’” she said.

Students can take classes at Lincoln High until they turn 21, after which they can earn a general educational development — or GED — certificate or earn a diploma with an associate degree at Peninsula College.

At one time, Lincoln High offered only pass/fail options, which made it difficult for graduates to enter college, Crumb noted.

Since the school was accredited to the same standards as Port Angeles High, the school’s courses are accepted by colleges and universities, and students can earn scholarships.

“Last year, we had a girl who earned $14,000 in college scholarships,” she said.

There is a lot of support for students at the school from service organizations and the community, Crumb said, including an effort from Tom Schroeder, a Port Angeles resident who raised $1,300 to get students bus passes.

Many students don’t drive, Crumb said, so they need the passes to get to the YMCA for physical education, to Peninsula College for Running Start or to Port Angeles High, where students can take music, vocational or elective classes.

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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.