The schools are grouped by area. Lakeland students, for example, can apply to Lakeland-area schools only. Except for Harrison Arts Center, magnet and choice schools don't have any requirements of prospective students. But parents must apply, and students are selected through a lottery that is generally held in March or April, after an enrollment period in February. The summer enrollment period is open until July 31.
Families can apply to as many magnet and choice schools as they want.
The School District provides transportation. Applications are available at magnet, elementary and middle schools. The magnet schools are Bartow Elementary Academy, Bethune Academy in Haines City, Brigham and Jewett academies in Winter Haven, Lawton Chiles Middle and Lincoln Avenue academies in Lakeland, Rochelle School of the Arts in Lakeland and Union Academy in Bartow. The existing choice schools are Jewett Elementary School of the Arts in Winter Haven, North Lakeland Elementary School of Choice, Valleyview Elementary in Lakeland and the Harrison Center for the Visual and the Performing Arts for grades 9-12 in Lakeland. New families to Polk County can apply to magnet and choice schools through July 31.