Keyword for this page: School Choice or McKay

Welcome

Welcome to the Office of Magnet, Choice, and Charter Schools! School Choice provides opportunities for developing the potential that lies within the young leaders of tomorrow. This website is a resource which families may use to research the best choice to match the interests of their sons and daughters.

Application Opportunities

For All Other Charter Schools

Please contact the charter schools directly for information as to open enrollment periods.

Charter School List

Career Academies

Application and Information

McKay, Opportunity & Corporate Tax Credit Scholarships

McKay Scholarship

To file an intent for a Public School McKay Scholarship, complete the following two steps:

  1. Step One- 2013-2014: Download the Letter of Intent. Print the file and mail to address on form.
  2. Step Two-Click Here to apply with the Florida Department of Education

To file an intent for a Private School McKay Scholarship, Click Here.

McKay information in other languages:

Opportunity and Florida Tax Credit Scholarships

The Florida School Choice website offers information on the state wide voucher programs. These include:

  • Opportunity Scholarships
  • McKay Scholarships
  • Florida Tax Credit Scholarships

Florida School Choice Website

Magnet & Choice Schools

Definition of Magnet and Choice Schools:

A distinctive theme and/or other program feature characterize Magnet and Choice schools. Magnet and Choice schools are schools of choice that provide the standard required curriculum of general education to students while using special learning themes, such as science and technology. These themes serve to attract students to the schools.

More Information

Revised Magnet and Choice Student Assignment

Acceptance, Waiting List and Applicant Pool FAQs

  •  I am already on a waiting list, what now?
    • If a student is already on a waiting list they will receive a letter in the mail with the waiting list number.  Students will remain on lists annually and do not need to reapply.
  • I applied in January of 2011 but did not get a waiting list letter?
    • New applications received January of 2011 will not receive a waiting list letter.  They will be notified via a connect ed message to the phone number they provided on their application confirming that the new application was received and the student is in the applicant pool. It is your responsibility to update your phone number.
  • How long can my application be on file in the applicant pool?
    • The applicant pool is kept for one school year.  If students are not accepted from the pool that year, they must reapply the following January.
  • How are students accepted?
    • Students are selected for vacant seats in the following order:
      • students are taken in sequential order from established waiting list
      • when there is no waiting list, students are randomly selected from the applicant pool
  • I have moved or changed my contact number, what should I do?
    • Notify the Office of Magnet, Choice and Charter Schools at 534-0631 of your new address or contact number.
  • Why should I apply if there is already an existing waiting list?
    • When vacant seats occur, students will be taken from the waiting list order. When a waiting list has been used up, then students will be randomly accepted from the applicant pool.
    • The amount of children on waiting lists varies by grade and school.
    • Only minimal vacancies occur when students move out of zone or elect not to return to the school.

Charter Schools

Definition of a Charter School:

Charter schools are public schools operating under a performance contract or “charter.” The charter allows the school to operate under defined rules and regulations. As part of the contract between the charter school and the sponsor (the school board), charter schools are held strictly accountable for academic and financial results.

More information

Charter School Operator Documents:

The following documents are provided by the Office of Magnet, Choice and Charter Schools to all applicable charter schools to fulfill the reporting requirements as outlined in federal and state laws as well as the charter school contract. If you have any questions regarding any of these documents, please contact the Office of Magnet, Choice and Charter Schools.

More information

Potential Charter Applicants:

Charter Schools in Florida shall be guided by the following principals: Meet high standards of student achievement while providing parents flexibility to choose among diverse educational opportunities within the state’s public school system; promote enhanced academic success and financial efficiency by aligning responsibility with accountability; provide parents with sufficient information on whether their child is reading at grade level and whether the child gains at least a year’s worth of learning for every year spent in the charter school. Charter schools are fully recognized as public schools.

More information

Lakeland High School / Harrison Parent Information

A parent information meeting was held at Lakeland High School on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. The following information was reviewed.

Interdistrict Transfers

Interdistrict transfers are traditional transfers for students seeking to transfer into Polk County from a neighboring district or want to attend school in another county. These transfers are evaluated in the Pupil Accounting office. The link below provides more information on transfers.

More information

The links below provide information on: out of district transfers from Osceola and Hillsborough County.

Hillsborough County Information

Osceola County Information

Contact Information

Office of Magnet, Choice, and Charter Schools

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 391
Bartow, FL 33831-0391
Phone:
863-534-0631
Fax:
863-534-0097

Contact our office by email

Staff Listing

Name: Title:
Carolyn Bridges Senior Director
Brian Warren Director (Magnet, Choice, and Vouchers)
Pam Henderson Magnet School Teacher Resource Specialist Trainer
Carla McMullen School Choice Specialist (Charter)
Stevii Hoggatt Clerk Specialist (Charter)
Sylvia Williams Student Assignment Specialist (Magnet and Choice)
Janet Cameron Student Data Entry Clerk (Magnet and Choice)
Carol Harrell Secretary to the Senior Director