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Polk County Public Schools will begin accepting School Choice applications for the upcoming 2026-27 school year on Monday, Jan. 12. Families across the district can apply online through the PCPS Parent Portal for access to specialized learning programs, including magnet schools, career academies, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge programs.
Transportation is provided for students accepted into magnet programs, but is not provided for students attending career academies at schools outside their attendance zone.
During the School Choice period, families may submit preferences for programs that fit their student’s interest and academic goals. Options range from magnet programs to career-focused academies and globally recognized curriculum tracks.
Applications must be submitted within the designated window — beginning Jan. 12 — through official closing date and additional details on deadlines and program eligibility are available on Polk County Public Schools website.
Acceptance into choice programs may involve a lottery or specific requirements depending on the program. Parents should review criteria for IB, Cambridge, and career academies before submitting their applications.
Transportation is provided for magnet school students, but not for career academy students attending a school outside of their zone.
Families interested in applying should log into their Parent Portal account to begin the process and can find more information, including tutorials and FAQs, at polkschoolsfl.com/schoolchoice.
Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas from UCIndicators.org: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.
LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the United Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.
Kayla Borg is a Lakeland native and graduate of Western Carolina University, where she earned her degree in English and film production. She began her media career in Atlanta at CNN, quickly rising from production assistant editor to technical director/editor, leading live broadcasts alongside field reporters. Since then, she’s worked in education, instructional design and independent filmmaking.
