bio

Biography

Lincoln High School

In 1912, the Jersey City Board of Education saw a need for another high school and purchased the property and building of a private school, the Hasbrouck Institute. This structure was to be used while a new building was being erected; the school was to bear the name of Abraham Lincoln.

On September 9, 1912, nine teachers and three hundred and sixty pupils met for the first time in the assembly hall of Hasbrouck Institute, and Lincoln High School was on its way to preparing thousands of students for their entry into the community, the state, and the country as men and women in almost every field of endeavor. Charles C. Wilson was the first principal of the school, and it was he who presented the diplomas in January, 1916, to the first graduating class, thirty-two proud students.

The years of America�s participation in World War I saw eighty-five Lincoln students and two faculty members serving in the armed forces. This was only a fraction of the more than one thousand graduates and students plus a number of faculty members who were to serve in World War II. In 1919, the present building was opened, and the old building was razed. As the school population continued to grow, it was necessary to start double sessions in 1922. This schedule lasted for twenty years.

By 1934, Lincoln High School had an enrollment of more than 5000 students and a faculty of some 140 men and women. At that time Lincoln was the second largest school in New Jersey, and its academic rating was considered to be one of the highest in the state. Thomas Quigley was the principal of the school for a good part of this period, having taken over as school chief from Williard Entemann in 1933, serving until his retirement in 1950.

Following World War II, the school continued its high academic success, although with a student body of fewer than 2000 students.Several new high schools had been opened in other parts of the city, and thus the population squeeze on Lincoln diminished sharply. Dr. Maxim Losi took over the reins in 1951 and served until his retirement in 1964. During this period the predominantly middle class student body started gradually to give way to children of a working class population. In 1972, a new wing was added to the building, and for the first time in its history, Lincoln High School had truly become a comprehensive school. Shops in the industrial arts and vocational areas were opened and made available to all pupils.

Mention should be made of three principals who served relatively short terms from 1964 to 1973. Charles Fitzpatrick, Charles Gerhard, and Dr. Charles Epps headed the school and continued to make valiant efforts to keep the school functioning at its pace. In September, 1973, Mrs. Edna Allen St. Paul, a graduate of Lincoln High School, was named to the principal�s position. She served in that capacity until 1984, where she was promoted to the position of Assistant Superintendent. Principals who served short terms as well from 1984 to present are Charles Cooper, Jr., John Pacifico, and Charles Cooper, Jr. for a second term, Franklin Walker, David Clauser, Rosalie Anglin and our present Principal Michael Winds.

The school year 1996/97 was filled with great changes to the way teachers taught their classes. We left the traditional Carnegie day of 45 minute classes to the newly adopted Copernican Plan of 80 minute block scheduling, which is still in place. Lincoln High School entered whole school reform in 2002 with a developmental plan from Johns Hopkins University, known as the �Talent Development High School�. This is the establishment of a Freshmen Academy, small learning communities and career academies at all grade levels.

The library was renovated in April, 2003, and it is now known as the �Edna Allen St. Paul Media Center�. The property of 2 Harrison Avenue was added to Lincoln�s campus and is presently being renovated to house the Freshmen Academy. This project should be completed and open in September, 2004.

By SMT/SLC 10/03