Polk State’s three collegiate high schools earn A grades for second straight academic year
For the second year in a row, all three of Polk State College’s collegiate high schools have simultaneously achieved A grades from the Florida Department of Education.
In just its third year receiving a school grade, Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School has now posted consecutive A grades. Prior to the 2023-24 Academic Year, the school did not earn a school grade due to a difference in mission and charter but routinely earned a “commendable” school improvement rating – the highest possible.
“We are honored to once again earn an A school grade,” Gateway Principal Meesha Downing-Townsend exclaimed. “This recognition is a reflection of the extraordinary dedication of our faculty and staff, who believe deeply in the potential of every student and work tirelessly each day to remove barriers, build relationships and create pathways to success.
“Our team is committed to making excellence the standard – not for the recognition itself, but because our students deserve nothing less,” she continued. “We are grateful for the continued partnership and support of Polk State College and the Polk County School Board, whose collaboration allows us to provide unique opportunities that help students thrive both academically and personally. This achievement belongs to our staff, our students and our partners, and we are thankful to celebrate it together.”
For Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School and Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School, the only one of the three housed on the Winter Haven Campus, A grades have come to be expected. Both Chain of Lakes and Lakeland Collegiate have maintained an A grade since the 2015-16 Academic Year.
“(Chain of Lakes) is proud to have once again earned an A school grade from the State of Florida,” said Chain of Lakes Principal Patrice Thigpen. “Our students, faculty and staff remained steadfast in their commitment to excellence and student success. It is a true honor and privilege to lead this remarkable school community, and I am grateful for the dedication that made this achievement possible.”
Last academic year, they were the two schools in the district to earn the Schools of Excellence designation. 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.
“Being an A school isn’t about one good year – it’s the result of a culture of high expectations that our faculty, staff and students live out together every day,” Lakeland Collegiate Principal Rick Jeffries added. “Results like this only happen when everyone is pulling in the same direction. I’m proud of the hard work our team and our students put in to earn this, and even prouder that they keep showing up to do it again each year.”
Students of all three charter high schools complete college credits simultaneously with requirements for their high school diplomas. Most graduate with college degrees at no cost to them.
Lakeland Collegiate and Chain of Lakes Collegiate serve 10th, 11th and 12th graders. Gateway serves 11th and 12th-graders with at least 11 high school credits who are no older than 21. More information is available at polk.edu/charter-high-schools.