Students at Lincoln Memorial Middle School in Manatee County will see big changes next school year.
- Manatee middle school to become a charter school
- Lincoln Memorial Middle to become Lincoln Memorial Academy
- Charter school to offer life skills program
The historic school is charting its own course and will become the county's newest charter school.
The "C" grade school plans to rewrite the rule book and become Lincoln Memorial Academy this August.
Starting next year, students will take part in a life skills program.
It will include everything from interviewing skills, social development, college-prep, and even fine dining classes.
"Some of them will be first-time college attendees, and it's very difficult to strive to go to college when you can't even conceptualize what it entails," Principal Eddie Hundley said.
That additional instruction means a longer school day for students, who will attend school an hour longer than other middle schoolers in the county.
Principal Hundley said the change has been met with an overwhelming amount of support from parents. More than 90 percent have already applied for their kids to be a part of the new charter school--meaning their school won't change, just what's happening inside.
The application period to be part of Lincoln Memorial Academy is still open and school staff anticipates almost all of their current students will return.
This is the county's first middle school to convert to a charter.