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.

 

Benefits of IB

IB is an acronym for International Baccalaureate. IB high schools use a specific rigorous curriculum that aims to develop and challenge inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.

IB schools strive to develop students who will build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect.

IB programs are different from other curricula because they:

  • Encourage students of all ages to think critically and challenge assumptions
  • Develop independently or through government and national systems, incorporating quality practice from research and our global community of schools
  • Encourage students of all ages to consider both local and global context
  • Develop multilingual students

Students who meet high school graduation requirements and successfully complete the IB Diploma Programme will earn an IB Diploma.

High School IB Programs

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

If you have any questions regarding the International Baccalaureate school at Bartow High School (863-534-0194) or Haines City High School (863-419-3371), please contact the respective high school.

Bartow High School

Students zoned for the following high schools are eligible to attend the Bartow High IB Program (bhsib.polkschoolsfl.com):

  • Bartow High
  • Fort Meade High
  • Frostproof High
  • George Jenkins High
  • Kathleen High
  • Lakeland High
  • Mulberry High
  • Formerly attendance zone for Lake Wales High

Haines City High School

Students zoned for the following high schools are eligible to attend the Haines City High IB Program (hchsib.polkschoolsfl.com/):

  • Haines City High
  • Auburndale High
  • Davenport High
  • Lake Gibson High
  • Lake Region High
  • Ridge Community High
  • Tenoroc High
  • Winter Haven High

District Expectations

Students are expected to adhere to all the academic, ethical and behavioral requirements described in the Code of Student 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. 1009.534 (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. 1009.535 (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.