PCPS Open Enrollment Information

The Open Application Priority period for the 2023-24 school year is January 9th through 4pm on February 15th, 2023.

If you have questions, you may contact the school or John Miller, District Curriculum Specialist for Accelerated Programs at (863) 534-0631 ext. 794.

Application and Qualification Process Summary

Summary of Current 8th Grade Application and Qualification Process for High School IB or AICE Cambridge Programs

  1. All interested current 8th graders (parents) must apply for a High School IB or AICE Cambridge Program during the School Choice Application Window (January 9 through February 15, 2023 (4:00pm)).
    Applications will be available online through Parent Portal.
  2.  Qualification for Programs
    A. Some 8th grade students have prequalified for these programs based on their 7th grade FSA scores in ELA (AL 5) and ALG 1 EOC (AL 4 or 5). These students do not need to take any additional testing in February. Parents of these students will not be able to register for a district-offered test session in February as the coding for the application process in FOCUS was written to prohibit these students from testing.

    B. 8th graders who have not yet qualified for these programs will have to register for one of the district assessment sessions to be offered at various sites in February 2023 (see table below) and score high enough on the district assessment.

    • The assessment will be entirely on computers and current PCPS students are expected to bring their fully charged device to the test session for which they registered.
    • After applying for the program (step 1 above) parents will need to select a test session from Parent Portal under the “Child Info” tab and “IB/AICE Entrance Testing” option and click SAVE
  3. All students who apply for a program will receive an official notification in mid-March as to their status. Students offered an official invitation will have 10 days from when Pending Acceptances are posted to officially accept the seat through Parent Portal. Students interested in the program for the 2023-24 school year will have to accept the seat through the parent portal.

 

Test Date Test Location Times Reserved
Saturday, February 4 Haines City High School 8:15-11:30
Saturday, February 4 Tenoroc High School 8:15-11:30
Saturday, February 11 Winter Haven High School 8:15-11:30
Thursday, February 16 Union Academy (only available for students from this school) 3:45-6:30
Friday, February 17 (Early Release Day) Bartow High School 2:45-6:00
Friday, February 17 (Early Release Day) Haines City High School 2:45-6:00
Friday, February 17 (Early Release Day) Tenoroc High School 2:45-6:00
Friday, February 17 (Early Release Day) Winter Haven High School 2:45-6:00
Tuesday, February 21 Lawton Chiles (only available for students from this school) 3:45-6:30
Wednesday, February 22 Jewett Academy (only available for students from this school) 3:45-6:30
Thursday, February 23 Dundee Ridge Middle (only available for students from this school) 4:45-7:30
Saturday, February 25 Bartow High School 8:15-11:30

Parent Portal Information

All applications must be completed through Parent Portal.  Visit polkschoolsfl.com/parentportal to learn how to create and access your account.

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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 (https://hainescityhigh.polkschoolsfl.com/ib/):

  • 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.