Lincoln is at its limit. According to Curriculum Vice Principal Leslie Butterfield 36 unexpected students boosted this year’s enrollment to 1488 in a school built for 1250. For staff and students alike, the growing numbers present a problem.

Some classes have over 40 students, putting them at a particular disadvantage. “There’s a huge push for smaller learning communities, and the one smallest learning community is made up of a teacher and their students. In a class with 40-plus students, it’s hard to build relationships,” said Butterfield.

Students moving in to the Lincoln district or from private schools account for some of the rise in enrollment. The school has 36 more students this year than the administration projected. Transfer students also add to the rising numbers. In the past, 150 transfer students were accepted every year. Five years ago it was cut down to 100 and, two years ago, to 60, the current number.

“The only way to reduce Lincoln’s enrollment is to change the boundaries in the Lincoln cluster or reduce transfers, and I don’t think it’s my job to give more value to one group of the community,” said Principal Peter Hamilton.

Either option would create some turmoil. “One of the things that transfer students bring to Lincoln is a small but necessary element of diversity,” said Butterfield. “Removing these students would really take something away. On the other hand, that would be two classrooms full that wouldn’t be here.”

Devon Shultz, a resident of the Lincoln district, agreed. “Diversity and class size are two really important issues and it’s hard to choose, but when it comes down to it, class sizes are more important because it’s the kids’ education.”

Transfers are generally controlled by district policy, but the number of students from out of the neighborhood allowed at Lincoln is actually decided by Hamilton. Students from outside the attendance area enter a lotto to attend the school, but those applying from schools that do not meet the federal No Child Left Behind act standards have preference.

Currently, 37 of 60 transfer students at Lincoln are from schools not meeting NCLB act standards.

“It makes sense [to take fewer transfers] because of overcrowding,” said senior Ben Larson, a transfer student from the Wilson neighborhood. “I like Lincoln, and I think it’s good if schools can take transfers, but they obviously can’t take all of them. There has to be some limit.”