Polk County Public Schools is exploring various options for adjusting the attendance boundaries of high schools.
The school district is taking this important step — called comprehensive rezoning — to balance enrollment in our schools and maximize available resources to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education — regardless of where they live.
PCPS is hosting five regional town halls and a virtual town hall for parents, staff and all community stakeholders to learn more and share their feedback for the Polk County School Board before any decision is made.
IMPORTANT NOTE: No decision has been made yet on how high school boundaries will be adjusted. The 2025-26 school year will continue with the current boundaries in place. The entire community is invited to share feedback on the possible options to change attendance boundaries.
The goal is to complete the comprehensive rezoning of high schools and implement new boundaries by the start of the 2026-27 school year.
The school district will NOT require students currently enrolled in one of our high schools to switch to a different school site. Those students can remain where they have already started their high school academic career.
We are also developing a policy to address siblings, aiming to keep families together where feasible and practical.
A similar “grandfathering” policy will be applied to high school students currently enrolled in specific districtwide magnet programs or specialized academies. They also can remain where they have started their high school career.
These policies are still being developed, and more information will be shared soon.
High school rezoning proposals shared with the Polk County School Board (PDF)
Questions? Please email [email protected]
TOWN HALL SCHEDULE
Southwest Region — Rezoning Town Hall
- DATE: Thursday, Aug. 28
- TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- LOCATION: Bartow High’s auditorium, 1270 S. Broadway Ave., Bartow, 33830
- TOWN HALL FOCUS: The meeting will cover rezoning proposals for Bartow High, Fort Meade Middle-Senior High, George Jenkins High and Mulberry High.
Northwest Region — Rezoning Town Hall
- DATE: Thursday, Sept. 4
- TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- LOCATION: Harrison Theatre, 726 Hollingsworth Road, Lakeland, 33801
- TOWN HALL FOCUS: The meeting will cover rezoning proposals for Kathleen High, Lake Gibson High, Lakeland High and Tenoroc High.
Central Region — Rezoning Town Hall
- DATE: Thursday, Sept. 11
- TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- LOCATION: Winter Haven High’s auditorium, 600 6th St. SE, Winter Haven, 33880
- TOWN HALL FOCUS: The meeting will cover rezoning proposals for Auburndale High, Lake Region High and Winter Haven High.
Northeast Region — Rezoning Town Hall
- DATE: Thursday, Sept. 18
- TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- LOCATION: Ridge Community High’s auditorium, 500 Orchid Drive, Davenport, 33837
- TOWN HALL FOCUS: The meeting will cover rezoning proposals for Davenport High, Haines City High and Ridge Community High.
Southeast Region — Rezoning Town Hall
- DATE: Thursday, Sept. 25
- TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- LOCATION: McLaughlin Academy of Excellence’s cafeteria, 800 South 4th St., Lake Wales, 33853
- TOWN HALL FOCUS: The meeting will cover rezoning proposals for Frostproof Middle-Senior High and McLaughlin Academy of Excellence.
All Regions — Virtual Rezoning Town Hall
- DATE: Thursday, Oct. 2
- TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- LIVESTREAM: youtube.com/polkcountypublicschools
- TOWN HALL FOCUS: The meeting will be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel and will cover rezoning proposals for all PCPS high schools in all regions.