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Polk County Schools: Research Your School Options – Magnet, Charter, IB, Academies, Performing Arts & More {plus 2024 Open Enrollment Dates}

Polk County Schools Open Enrollment

Choice schools, charter schools, magnet schools, zoned schools, fine arts schools, academies, private schools… my head starts spinning when I think about schools in Polk County.

We know you want your kids to have the best education possible! There are numerous options when it comes to educational opportunities for our children in Lakeland and across Polk County. However, the process of researching those options and figuring out HOW to apply and WHEN to apply for specific schools can be a daunting task. We’ve tried to list out your options below and help make sure you don’t miss any application deadlines.

There are many things to consider when deciding where you will send your child for school, and attending the school where you are zoned is a great choice – it should be close to home, your neighborhood kids probably go there, and it has a community feel. In fact, like me, I’m sure most of you reading this went to your neighborhood school! {I’m a proud Polk County Schools grad from Sikes, Lawton, and GJHS}

However, our educational system has evolved and today there are other options available besides your zoned school. We want to help you research your options and determine what is best for your child.

Every school listed here is a Polk County Public School, and is FREE for grades K-12. We also have a Private School Guide and a Homeschool Guide. Don’t miss our full Education Guide for all of our education-related content, our Back to School Guide, and the Polk County School Calendar.

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are moving to Lakeland or considering a relocation to our area, do your school zone homework before choosing where you will live. We hear from parents on a regular basis who didn’t realize that transferring from one school to another is not done regularly here in Polk County.

EDITOR’S DISCLAIMER: **The PCPS Website underwent many changes in 2023 and many of the links below no longer work. We are working on updating the links, in the meantime you can do a search on the PCPS website.** We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information listed below, however this is a massive amount of information and we may not be aware of recent changes. Links are included to the PCPS Website and all other school application websites. Please check directly with the school or district where you plan to apply for the most up to date and accurate information.

Commonly Used Florida Education Terms + Definitions

Zoned School – This is the elementary, middle, or high school where you are assigned based on your address.

Magnet School – A Magnet school (also possibly called a Choice school) is a Polk County Public School that provides students with special learning themes, such as science, technology, math or the arts. They are free to attend but require parents to submit an application, students are selected via a “lottery” if there are more applications than available spots.

Charter School – Charter Schools are independent, state-funded, tuition-free public schools, they have their own board of trustees and are able to be more innovative, while still being held accountable for improved student achievement. Charter schools require parents to submit an application and accept students based on a “lottery” system when there are more applications than open spaces.

Lottery – The term “lottery” means that everyone who applies has an equal chance to be accepted. The application only includes address, birthdates, etc. to confirm your eligibility, there is no essay or interview or anything that would give one person an advantage (like is sometimes done at private schools). Schools with open enrollment or a lottery application system often do give priority to certain applicants including siblings and staff children.

Open Enrollment – Open Enrollment is the period of time that applications are accepted. This is when you must apply for anything other than your assigned zoned / neighborhood school.

Controlled Open Enrollment – The time period when parents can request a transfer to another school besides their zoned school, including transfers to public schools in surrounding counties. You can apply for placement in any public school in the state that has not reached capacity and still has seats available. Typically opens in April each year.

Summary of School Enrollment Options in Polk County

  1. Attend your Zoned School
  2. Apply for a school in the “school options” category during Open Enrollment including: Magnet Schools, Cambridge AICE, Career Academies, IB, Fine Arts, Charter Schools (more info below)
  3. Apply for a different public school outside of your zone during Polk County Schools Controlled Open Enrollment period
  4. Explore other options including Polk Virtual School, Florida Virtual School, Private Schools

Polk County Open Enrollment Dates for 2024-25 School Year

Polk County Schools Open Enrollment is when you must apply for anything other than your assigned zoned / neighborhood school. In the past, open enrollment has been from mid-November to January.

The first Open Enrollment Window for the 2024-2025 school year will be January 8, 2024, through 4:00pm on February 16, 2024.

Please note that Harrison School for the Arts, IB Schools, the Schools of McKeel Academy, and other Charter schools have different application dates. Information on each of these schools can be found below.

All Grades – Find Your Zoned School

Description

Find Your Zoned School

How to Enroll in your Zoned School

Elementary & Middle – Magnet/Choice Schools

Description

How to Apply

Important Info

Editors Note

Schools in Magnet Zone A (Lakeland)

Schools in Magnet Zone B (Auburndale / Lake Alfred / Winter Haven)

Schools in Magnet Zone C (Davenport / Dundee / Haines City)

Schools in Magnet Zone D (Bartow / Mulberry / Lake Wales)

The Polk County Schools Website has a great description of each school and what makes them unique. CLICK HERE to read more about the Magnet schools in your Zone. The same application information applies for all Magnet/Choice schools in Polk County.

NOTE ON VPK PROGRAMS: While some Magnet schools have a Florida VPK program, attendance for preschool does not provide any preference for kindergarten enrollment, every application is entered into the lottery system.

Elementary & Middle – Fine Arts Schools

Description

Polk County Fine Arts Schools

How to Apply

Important Info

Middle School – Pre-Academies

Description

Topics / Schools

How to Apply

High School – Academies

Description

Topics / Schools

How to Apply

High School – Fine Arts

About Harrison School for the Arts

How to Apply

High School – International Baccalaureate (IB) 

Description

IB Schools in Polk County

How to Apply

High School – Cambridge AICE

Description

Cambridge AICE Schools in Polk County

How to Apply

High School – Summerlin Academy

Description

Location

How to Apply

High School – Collegiate Charter Schools

Description

Schools

How to Apply

Charter – The Schools of McKeel Academy
PreK4 – 12th Grade

Description

Schools

How to Apply

McKeel Preschool Information

Charter – Montessori Schools
PreK – 8th Grade

Description

Montessori Schools in Polk County

How to Apply

Charter Schools in Polk County

Description

Charter Schools in Polk County

How to Apply

Middle & High School Alternatives

Description

Schools

How to Apply

Polk Virtual School

Polk Virtual School serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade and is 100% online. For students in grades K-5, Polk Virtual offers free enrollment in a full-year program. Students in grades 6-12 may enroll in Polk Virtual on a part- or full-time basis. Both public school and home education students are eligible to apply.

Polk County School Choice – Research All Schools

If you’re interested in additional research, the Polk School District website has a page of School Listings that can be sorted by Grade Level and Type of School. Click here to see the list.

Private Schools

Looking for information on Private Schools? You’ll find a list in our Private School Guide. We also have information on Private School Scholarships in Florida.

Homeschooling

Interested in Homeschool options? Learn more in our Homeschool Guide. 

Kindergarten Enrollment

If your child will turn 5 prior to September 1, 2023, he/she is eligible to start kindergarten in fall 2023, meaning you would need to apply DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT if you are interested in a magnet or charter school. Your zoned school will host a Kindergarten Round Up in March or April 2023, check with your school for details. Click here to read more about enrollment documents.

Daycare, Preschool + VPK

Do you have children under 5? Learn more about VPK – Florida’s Free Preschool for 4 year olds or research the different types of childcare in Florida.

Education Guide

Check out our Education Guide for Lakeland + Polk County for other education topics including public schools, private schools, homeschooling, tutoring + test prep, school calendars, colleges, and more.