BARTOW, FL — Polk County Public Schools is considering changes to middle school attendance boundaries across the county, with 19 schools included in upcoming public town hall discussions. The proposed changes are intended to address overcrowding, population growth and enrollment imbalances throughout the district.
According to Polk County Public Schools, some schools are experiencing overcrowding while others have available classroom space due to population shifts. The district recently completed its high school rezoning process and is now evaluating potential changes to middle school attendance boundaries.
No final decisions have been made, and the district confirmed that existing school boundaries will remain in place throughout the 2026–27 school year. Students already enrolled will also be allowed to remain at their current schools under a grandfathering policy, with specific guidelines to be announced.
The district has scheduled five regional town hall meetings to allow parents and community members to review proposals and provide feedback.
Upcoming Town Hall Meetings:
- October 15 – Haines City: Haines City High School, 6–7 p.m. Discussion will include Alta Vista K-8, Bella Citta K-8, Boone Middle, Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy and Lake Marion Creek Middle.
- October 22 – Bartow: Bartow High School, 6–7 p.m. Discussion will include Bartow Middle, Fort Meade Middle-Senior High, Lakeland Highlands Middle and Mulberry Middle.
- October 29 – Eagle Lake: Lake Region High School, 6–7 p.m. Discussion will include Crystal Lake Middle, Denison Middle, Stambaugh Middle and Westwood Middle.
- November 5 – Lake Wales: McLaughlin Academy of Excellence, 6–7 p.m. Discussion will include Frostproof Middle-Senior High and McLaughlin Academy of Excellence.
- November 12 – Lakeland: Harrison School for the Arts, 6–7 p.m. Discussion will include Kathleen Middle, Lake Gibson Middle, Sleepy Hill Middle and Southwest Middle.
A virtual town hall covering all regions is also scheduled for November 12 from 6–7 p.m. on the district’s YouTube channel.
According to the district’s tentative timeline, community feedback and survey results will be presented during a November 17 work session. A public hearing is scheduled for December 8, followed by a possible School Board vote on January 26, 2027.
The district emphasized that no implementation date has been determined and that community feedback will be considered before any final decisions are made.
Families can review current and proposed school attendance boundaries using the district’s interactive rezoning maps.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
