Kate Wallace, Polk County School Board - District 3

01/07/2026

Friendly reminder for parents! School choice application window for the 2026-27 school year opens Jan. 12. This is for magnet schools, career academies, IB and Cambridge. Harrison School for the Arts has a separate application process. See more information below.

Polk County Public Schools will accept school choice applications for the upcoming 2026-27 school year beginning Monday, Jan. 12.

This is an opportunity for families to apply for their students to attend a variety of PCPS programs, including:

- Magnet/choice schools
- Career academies (middle and high school)
- International Baccalaureate and Cambridge (high school)

Families must submit their applications online via Parent Portal during the application window from Jan. 12 to Feb. 20. All applications are chosen based on a lottery system (with the exception of high school IB/Cambridge, which have academic requirements).

For more information about PCPS magnet/choice schools, please call 863-534-0631 ext. 788. For questions about career academies, please call 863-519-8438 ext. 819. High school IB and Cambridge questions should be directed to 863-534-0631 ext. 789.

Additional details:

- Transportation is provided for magnet school students, but not for career academy students attending a school outside of their zone.

- The application window is only for magnet schools, career academies and high school programs such as IB and Cambridge. In April we will begin taking applications for Controlled Open Enrollment (COE), which allows you to apply to any school (excluding magnet schools) that still has seats open for next year. We'll have more info once COE begins.

- Registration for Head Start and VPK is not part of the current window. You'll be able to apply online for Head Start/VPK in the spring. More details will be provided as we get closer.

- If you're new to the area or have a child who will be starting school next year, you don't need to do anything special to attend your zoned school. Just follow the instructions here to enroll your student: polkschoolsfl.com/parentportal

- School choice and COE applications are selected via lottery system. If your child is already enrolled in a magnet school/career academy you don't need to reapply every year -- they can remain at that school until it's time to move on to middle or high school.

-If you're new to PCPS, you can create a Parent Portal account and add a student who is not yet enrolled in our schools. However, this option might NOT be available until after the school choice application period begins.

More info and important links: https://www.polkschoolsfl.com/news/pcps_school_choice_application_window_opens_jan_12

12/15/2025

First month in service: loading! Highlights include:
-swearing in Nov. 18;
-participating in groundbreaking ceremonies for two District 3 schools - Mi Escuela Montessori School’s new Bartow campus and Bartow Middle School’s new gymnasium; and
-assisting with student recognitions for outstanding artwork and academic achievement at our Dec. 9 monthly board meeting.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, Polk County. It is my privilege!

11/19/2025

It’s official!

The Polk County School Board welcomed a new member last night.

Kate Wallace was officially sworn in to serve District 3. She was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill a vacancy left by the passing of Rick Nolte. The District 3 seat will come up for election in November 2026.

Ms. Wallace is a proud PCPS alum, you can read about her and other board members here: polkschoolsfl.com/quicklinks/boardmembers

Also last night, the School Board selected Justin Sharpless to serve as chairman, and Travis Keyes as vice chair.

11/12/2025

Welcome to the official page for Polk County School Board - District 3, which includes Bartow, Mulberry, Bradley Junction, unincorporated areas of south Lakeland and southwest Winter Haven, Wahneta, Alturas, and Gordonville.