Lincoln is Meriden's HOT school, according to the Connecticut Commision on Culture and Tourism. State-designated HOT -- or Higher Order of Thinking -- schools have strong arts programs and integrate the arts in core subjects throughout the curriculum. In additon to a staff that travels from all over the state to teach at Lincoln, the school has visiting artists come and teach classes. According to Principal Leo Lavallee, another successful tenet of the HOT philosphy is democratic governance by way of sponsoring leadership activities and service clubs. "I believe that's really helped us academically," says Lavallee. Lavallee's blog is available here.