Lake Wales HS student earns Polk State degree as dual enrollment student

At Polk State College’s three collegiate high schools, most students graduate simultaneously with a diploma and Associate in Arts (AA) degree. For students who want to remain at their high school, however, it is also possible to graduate summa cum laude with both a diploma and an AA from Polk State.

Lake Wales High School senior Kate Willette is proof of that. During Polk State’s 134th commencement ceremony on Thursday, Willette, a dual enrolled student, will receive her AA. Willette was able to earn her Polk State degree by taking classes exclusively online. She’s one of 139 dual enrollment students to qualify for graduation this semester.

“My professors at Polk State have been so welcoming that they make you feel like you’re in a classroom,” Willette exclaimed. “The entire Polk State staff has been kind, patient and accommodating.”

For the 2025-26 Academic Year, Polk State has served more than 3,600 dual enrollment students, including nearly 300 from Lake Wales High School. Although Willette has taken courses exclusively online, Polk State now offers a block schedule at its JD Alexander Center in Lakes Wales to allow for students in the area to attend at consistent times and days.

While at Lake Wales High School, she was part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Course Program, which allows students to take IB courses without being fully enrolled in the IB program.

“At the end of my sophomore year, I had to decide whether to go full IB or IB Course,” Willette reflected. “I knew people who had already earned their AA in high school and that was the route they decided to go. My options were always to either graduate IB or with my AA.”

Willette’s Polk State schedule has been a combination of eight-, 12- and 16-week courses. In support of her effort to earn a college degree while in high school, the Lake Wales High staff has allocated open blocks in her schedule for her to work on her college courses.

“It’s all about time management for me,” Willette explained. “I try really hard to eliminate procrastination. I’m intentional about what classes I take and when and what classes I can fast track. Having that Polk State block worked in to my high school schedule has been a huge help.”

Willette has been accepted to Auburn University in Alabama, her “dream school”, and will begin in the fall. She plans on majoring in business and will ultimately decide on a specialization within that degree program. For her academic success, Willette credits her parents, Kevin and Addy Willette.

“My parents have always listened to me and supported me,” she noted. “They give the comfort when things get hard and push me when I need to be pushed.”

Willette has a perfect unweighted 4.0 grade-point average at both Lake Wales and Polk State. Despite juggling the rigors of high school and college coursework, Willette remains active at her school and in the community. She’s in her fourth season as a member of the varsity girls tennis team at Lake Wales and is a student leader for the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.

“I’ve had teachers and guidance counselors alike who have had enriching advice,” Willette added. “Everyone at Lake Wales High School is there for the students; they believe in you and will give you the help you need to get you through.”

Willette also volunteers at Lake Wales Care Center and is part of the livestream team at her church, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Wales. She previously volunteered at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales’ Stay in Home Camp, which focuses on home improvement projects for seniors and low-income families.

Whether it’s through one of Polk State’s collegiate high schools – Lakeland Collegiate High School, Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School or Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School – or through dual enrollment, Willette offered advice for those interested in earning a college degree in high school. More information about Polk State’s collegiate high schools is available at polk.edu/charter-high-schools. More about dual enrollment can be found here.

“Go for it,” Willette urged. “Learn those time management skills and plan things effectively. I’d encourage everyone to take at least a few college classes in high school. You learn skills along the way – how to advocate for yourself, how to communicate with adults. Getting that college experience early is incredibly valuable.”