SCIENCE FOCUS PROGRAM

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

The Science Focus Program, often referred to as "The Zoo School," is a specialized, experiential learning program located within the Lincoln Children’s Zoo in Lincoln, Nebraska. Operating as a partnership between Lincoln Public Schools and the zoo, the program serves students in grades 10 through 12. It offers an unconventional academic environment where students engage in a rigorous, inquiry-based curriculum that integrates core subjects—such as science, English, and social studies—with real-world applications in biology, environmental science, and animal conservation.

Beyond the classroom, the program emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing students to work directly with zoo staff, participate in field research, and explore career paths in science and conservation. By leveraging the zoo’s unique facilities, the program fosters a collaborative community that encourages critical thinking, environmental stewardship, and interdisciplinary problem-solving. It is an ideal setting for students who thrive in non-traditional educational environments and have a strong passion for the natural world.

N/A

Total Students

5.2

Full-Time Teachers

N/A

Student/Teacher Ratio

N/A

Free/Reduced Lunch

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Alternative School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Phone:	(402)436-1780
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	N/A
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	5.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	N/A
NSLP Participation:¹	No
Qualified Free Lunch:	N/A
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	N/A

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

9th

10th

11th

12th