Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School and Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School are the only high schools in Polk County to earn the prestigious Schools of Excellence designation

Polk State College is well known as the largest serving higher education and workforce training institution in Polk County, but it also offers an unparalleled high school experience.

For the third year in a row, Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School and Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School were the only two high schools in the county to be recognized as Schools of Excellence by the Florida Department of Education. The distinction is for the 2025-2026 Academic Year.

“Having two of our collegiate high schools earn the Schools of Excellence designation for the third consecutive year is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to the dedication of our students, faculty, and staff,” said Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Our collegiate high schools provide students with an exceptional opportunity to excel academically while getting a head start on their college education. We are proud of the high standards they uphold and the continued success of our students.”

The Schools of Excellence program was created by the 2017 Florida Legislature to recognize schools with grades in the 80th percentile or higher for their grade groupings for at least two of the last three school years. To qualify, schools also must receive an A or B grade in each of the most recent three school years.

Polk State’s collegiate high schools allow students to simultaneously complete requirements for their high school diplomas while earning college credits at no cost to them. In most cases, students graduate with both their high school diplomas and Associate in Arts degrees.

“Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School is proud to be recognized by the Florida Department of Education as a Florida School of Excellence once again,” Chain of Lakes Principal Patrice Thigpen said. “This distinction reflects Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School’s sustained commitment to academic achievement, high expectations, and student success. Repeatedly earning this prestigious designation exemplifies the longevity and endurance of our program.  We owe this achievement to the efforts of our students, faculty, staff, families, and school community.”

“This distinction reflects the dedication of our outstanding faculty and staff, the hard work of our students, and the strong culture of academic achievement we have built together,” Lakeland Collegiate Principal Rick Jeffries said. “Earning this recognition more than once is especially meaningful because it demonstrates that excellence at our school is not a one-time accomplishment, but an ongoing commitment to student success.”

Lakeland Collegiate High School is housed on Polk State’s Lakeland Campus and Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School calls the Winter Haven Campus home. Lakeland Collegiate and Chain of Lakes accept 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students.

For those interested in enrolling for the 2027-2028 Academic Year, Polk State’s collegiate high schools will hold information sessions during the Spring 2027 Semester. Visit polk.edu/charter-high-schools to learn more about Polk State’s charter high schools and to apply.