Polk County Public Schools will soon begin accepting school choice applications for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.

This is an opportunity for families to apply for their students to attend a variety of PCPS programs, including magnet/choice schoolscareer academies (middle and high school), International Baccalaureate (high school) and Cambridge (high school).

Families must submit their applications online via Parent Portal during the application window from Jan. 13 to Feb. 21. All applications are chosen based on a lottery system (with the exception of high school IB/Cambridge, which have academic requirements).

PCPS is hosting a series of School Choice Showcases to give families a chance to explore their school options. Each showcase will highlight the options available at PCPS schools in the surrounding community. Visit our School Showcase page for dates, times and locations.

 

 

Qualification Process

All students who apply need to qualify for this High School Program. Qualifying test opportunities will be available between February 1st and March 1st at various locations throughout the district. Test opportunities are shown in the table below.

After applying for this program through Parent Portal, parents of students still needing to qualify will then be able to reserve a test session through Parent Portal by clicking on the "IB or Cambridge Entrance Testing" link, selecting a test session from the drop-down menu, and clicking save.

If you have questions, you may contact the school or John Miller, District Curriculum Specialist for Accelerated Programs at (863) 534-0631 ext. 794.

 

Date Location Check-in Time - Pick-up Time
 Saturday, February 1, 2025            Haines City High School                  8:15am-12:00
 Saturday, February 1, 2025  Tenoroc High School  8:15am-12:00
 Saturday, February 8, 2025  Bartow High School  8:15am-12:00
 Thursday , February 20, 2025  Haines City High School  4:45pm-8:00
 Saturday, February 22, 2025  Bartow High School  8:15am-1200
 Saturday, February 22, 2025  Haines City High School  8:15am-12:00
 Saturday, February 22, 2025  Winter Haven High School  8:15am-12:00
 Tuesday, February 25, 2025  Winter Haven High School  4:45pm-8:00 
 Saturday, March 1, 2025    Tenoroc High School     8:15am-12:00
 Saturday, March 1, 2025   Winter Haven High School         8:15am-12:00

 

1 additional testing opportunity will be available for students after school at eight middle schools between Feb.18-28. Parents of students at these schools (Bartow Middle, Daniel Jenkins, Dundee Ridge Academy, Jewett Academy, Lake Alfred Polytech, Lawton Chiles, Mulberry Middle, Union Academy) should contact their child's school regarding the specific testing opportunity.

 

About Cambridge 

The Cambridge Program is an accelerated method of academic study offered solely through a division of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge provides a flexible, broad-based curriculum that is offered at schools and colleges in over 161 countries and is recognized by the Florida Department of Education as a rigorous curriculum. The Cambridge Program recognizes that meaningful education is more than just building subject knowledge and conceptual understanding. To thrive in life, learners must also develop a broad range of skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors. The five Cambridge learner attributes are:

Confident:
Cambridge students are secure in their knowledge, unwilling to take things for granted and ready to take intellectual risks. They are keen to explore and evaluate ideas and arguments in a structured, critical, and analytical way. They can communicate and defend views and opinions as well as respect those of others.

Responsible:
Cambridge students take ownership of their learning, set targets, and insist on intellectual integrity. They are collaborative and supportive. They understand that their actions have impacts on others and on the environment. They appreciate the importance of culture, context, and community.

Reflective:
Cambridge students understand themselves as learners. They are concerned with the processes as well as the products of their learning and develop the awareness and strategies to be lifelong learners.

Innovative:
Cambridge students welcome new challenges and meet them resourcefully, creatively, and imaginatively. They can apply their knowledge and understanding to solve new and unfamiliar problems. They can adapt flexibly to new situations requiring new ways of thinking.

Engaged:
Cambridge students are alive with curiosity, embody a spirit of enquiry and want to dig more deeply. They are keen to learn new skills and are receptive to new ideas. They work well independently but also with others. They are equipped to participate constructively in society and the economy – locally, nationally, and globally.

Students who complete the high school requirements and successfully complete Cambridge Program will earn a Cambridge Diploma https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-advanced/cambridge-aice-diploma/.

High School Cambridge Programs

There are presently two high school Cambridge sites in Polk County for which students may apply. A student's residential address within the school district determines which Cambridge high school the student could be eligible to attend. See below for a specific listing of schools.

If you have any questions regarding Cambridge at Tenoroc High School (863-614-9183)or Winter Haven High School (863-291-5330), please contact the respective high school.

Tenoroc High School

Students zoned for the following high schools are eligible to attend the Tenoroc High Cambridge Program (Tenoroc)

  • Auburndale High
  • George Jenkins High
  • Kathleen High
  • Lake Gibson High
  • Lakeland High
  • Mulberry High
  • Tenoroc High

Winter Haven High School

Students zoned for the following high schools are eligible to attend the Winter Haven High Cambridge Program (Winter Haven HS):

  • Bartow High
  • Davenport High
  • Fort Meade High
  • Frostproof High
  • Haines City High
  • Lake Region High
  • Ridge Community High
  • Winter Haven High

District Expectations

Students are expected to adhere to all the academic, ethical, and behavioral requirements described in the Student Code of Conduct. Depending on the location of a student's residency, students and families need to be aware of the additional time commitment involved in utilizing district transportation.


Florida State Statutes

f.s. 1007.29.534 (1)(c)

A student is eligible for a Florida Academic Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and: Has been awarded an International Baccalaureate Diploma from the International Baccalaureate Office or an Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma from the University of Cambridge International Examinations Office.


f.s. 1007.29.535 (1)(b)

A student is eligible for a Florida Medallion Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and: Has completed the International Baccalaureate curriculum but failed to earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma or has completed the Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum but failed to earn the Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma, and has attained at least the score required under f.s. 1009.531(6)(b) on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program.