Newsletter: November 2025

Cleveland Court Elementary thanks its community partners and businesses for supporting and encouraging students to always strive for excellence. .

Cleveland Court Elementary

Built in 1927, Cleveland Court Elementary has a rich history, including serving as a facility to build, assemble, and paint Patrol Torpedo (PT) boats during World War II.

However, since 1947, Cleveland Court has served as a neighborhood school, earning a reputation for academic excellence.

In fact, the school has been recognized as a School of Excellence by the State of Florida due to students’ high performing academic achievements.

Students are excited about a new monthly incentive program, thanks to community partners and families who contribute to this initiative.

Community partnerships with Lakeland Kiwanis, Tijuana Flats, Family Fun Center, CiCi's Pizza, Grillmaster, and Chuck E. Cheese feature quarterly rewards for students for academics, behavior and attendance.

Rochelle students recently crafted customized necklaces featuring their names in binary code, showcasing their potential as future computer engineers and fashion designers.

Rochelle School of the Arts

Rochelle School of the Arts provides students with a STEAM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), which encourages critical thinking, autonomy, and creativity.

Rochelle teacher Simoni Bonadies was recently named Educator of the Year by the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance.

Throughout the year, students support various community events and outreach programs, including visiting nursing homes, participating in holiday parades, performing at the Betsey Kay Finch Performing Arts Foundation’s annual fundraiser, and submitting artworks for exhibitions at the Dali Museum.

Parents and community members are invited to arts performances on campus.

In 2023, a more than $500,000 renovation project was completed that modernized the school’s auditorium into a modern home for performing arts. Funding was made possible by Polk County’s half-cent sales tax, which voters renewed in 2018.

In May, Jessie Whitehead and Emmalee Robertson were among the 27 graduates of Lake Gibson High who earned their associate of arts degrees from Polk State College.

Lake Gibson High

Lake Gibson High is proud to offer one of the most extensive dual enrollment programs in the district — empowering students to graduate college and be career ready!

“Our mission to prepare every Brave for success beyond high school,” said Principal Ryan Vann. “Dual enrollment is a great opportunity. Students can challenge themselves with college-level classes while earning college credit without having to pay tuition.”

With 62 sections offered on campus, Lake Gibson’s dual enrollment program ensures that every student can get a jump start on their college experience.

The dual enrollment classes are taught by Lake Gibson’s staff, who are fully credentialed through Southeastern University and Polk State College.

This year, more than 500 students are enrolled in at least one dual enrollment class. Over the past five years, more than 80 students have earned their associate of arts degree from Polk State College before their high school graduation.

PCPS employees can scan the code for more information or to access the important resources of the Employee Assistance Program.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Did you know there are 20 different ways PCPS employees and all members of their household can use the Employee Assistance Program?

There’s help available to support mental health, improving finances, legal consultation, estate planning, and more!

Resources for Living is an employee assistance program, available at no cost to PCPS employees and all members of their household. Children living away from home can access services up to age 26. Enrollment in PCPS’ Health Plan is not required to use services. Services include emotional wellbeing support, chat therapy, daily life assistance, legal and financial services. Services are confidential and available 24/7.

resourcesforliving.com/home/resources/webinars

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Junior Achievement is now partnering with PCPS to create the JA Barnett Family Discovery Center. This rendering shows the exciting project coming soon to the campus of Tenoroc High!

JA Barnett Family Discovery Center Coming Soon

Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay plays a vital role in delivering the 3DE model to students at Tenoroc High and Lake Region High.
The 3DE model challenges students to address modern problems faced by businesses. They rely upon their knowledge, talents and skills to develop a plan and professionally present their findings.

Junior Achievement is now partnering with PCPS to expand its impact with the upcoming JA Barnett Family Discovery Center. This innovative facility will feature two immersive learning experiences for local students, focusing on essential life skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship:

• JA BizTown: students operate a simulated city
• JA Finance Park: an opportunity for students to learn personal financial management

JA Barnett Family Discovery Center will equip students with essential life skills, empowering them for success beyond graduation through hands-on learning and meaningful community engagement.
The center will be built on the site of Tenoroc High in Lakeland.
For more information or to learn how to support this project, please contact Dr. Melody Rider or Shauna Dykes at [email protected] or [email protected].

Each year, CFAA at Kathleen High honors students who have completed their solo flights with a special ceremony called Solo to Success. The students’ names are engraved on bricks and placed at the academy’s campus.

Central Florida Aerospace Academy (Kathleen High)

Polk County students can soar to success in the aviation industry through the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA) at Kathleen High.

This career academy offers a rigorous STEM education and career preparation, allowing students to earn industry certifications, FAA licenses, and college credit in high school.

Students can pursue specialized pathways in aerospace technologies (private pilot), unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft maintenance, and aerospace engineering.

They gain hands-on experience with aircraft systems, flight simulators, and aviation professionals through partnerships with the Aerospace Center For Excellence and the Lakeland Linder International Airport, where the career academy is located.

Since 2023, more than 250 students have earned industry-recognized certifications through CFAA at Kathleen High!

A team of CFAA students also won NASA’s TechRise Student Challenge for 2024-25, designing a 3D-printed experiment that will fly aboard a NASA weather balloon.

Lakeland Electric visited Lawton Chiles Middle Academy recently and used a bucket truck for an epic egg drop experiment that was part of accelerated instruction for students. It was truly ... eggcellent.

Accelerated Academic Programs

Polk County Public Schools offers a variety of accelerated programs for students who are ready for advanced studies in different areas.

You can visit polkschoolsfl.com/accelerated for more information on Accelerated Academic Programs or speak with your child’s counselor.
Accelerated opportunities include Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL), Advanced Placement (AP) courses, Cambridge programs, dual enrollment courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs and programs focused on the arts or STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

All K-8 students may access ACCEL options at their zoned school and high school students interested in accelerated coursework may select from Advanced Placement courses and/or dual enrollment courses offered at their zoned school.

Students may also submit applications for specialized magnet/choice programs and schools. Magnet schools serve students in grades K-8 and provide students with a comprehensive school program focused on the arts, STEM, Cambridge, or International Baccalaureate studies. High school students may apply to Harrison School for the Arts, Summerlin Academy, Cambridge Diploma Programs available at Tenoroc HS or Winter Haven HS, or International Baccalaureate Diploma Programs available at Bartow HS or Haines City HS.

To learn more about accelerated programs and schools, visit www.polkschoolsfl.com and search “accelerated” or “magnet.”
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are available through the Parent Portal beginning Jan. 12.

Please visit https://harrisonarts.polkschoolsfl.com/ and search keyword “enrollment” for information regarding the specific application and audition process for Harrison School for the Arts; application window opens Nov. 3 and close Jan. 8.

Lake Region’s cadets — Clarence Zealor, Mya Lagares, Tatiana Keys, Leticia Rodriguez, and Jhovany Vital (L to R) — earned two NROTC Navy Nurse, two NROTC Marine, and one NROTC MD scholarships.

JROTC Program – Lake Region High

The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is an important program at many PCPS schools and is sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces. JROTC instills discipline and develops leadership skills that students will use in their future military service, or wherever life takes them.

This month, we salute Lake Region High.

The Marine Corps JROTC at Lake Region High School has built a strong foundation for developing exceptional young leaders, emphasizing stewardship, selflessness, and civic responsibility.

For two consecutive years, Lake Region’s cadets led Polk County’s Toys for Tots Program, donating over 300 bicycles and hundreds of toys to underserved children. They supported over two dozen community events, including middle school career and field days. They also organized a charity event in the Dominican Republic, awarding 55 students with medals and 20 with scholarships.

Lake Region’s cadets also excel academically. They earned more than $16 million in scholarships and 25 National Military Scholarships.