LakeWalesNews.net - Hometown stories that count from people who care

Polk State College will be moving to Phase III of its Return to Campus Plan on Monday, August 2, 2021, with the majority of services returning to campus and more face-to-face class... — Updated 7/23/2021

Polk County Public Schools is finalizing plans for the 2021-22 school year and will offer two learning options for students. The first option will be traditional campus learning... — Updated 7/23/2021

Defying national trends in higher education, Florida Polytechnic University is enjoying a significant increase in the number of students applying to and committing to attend the Uni... — Updated 6/9/2021

Polk County Public Schools is no longer requiring students and staff to wear face coverings. During its June 8 meeting, the Polk County School Board voted unanimously to lift a... — Updated 6/9/2021

A new partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and the prestigious Centro Universitário Facens in Brazil is off to a strong start with the completion of a project that... — Updated 6/4/2021

The McLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts Academy Theatre Department is presenting a free presentation via the online ZOOM platform. The students will perform H.G. Wells' The War... — Updated 5/21/2021

I, Betty Bent, represent the Higher Learning Academy of Central Florida. Located in Lake Wales, FL my Preschool not only teaches from a diverse curriculum that covers a range of... — Updated 5/6/2021

As part of their initiative to give back to the community students from the McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy are offering a free pre-Mother's Day car wash. Mothers,... — Updated 4/29/2021

Shapes, colors, math and words are important, but Betty Bent says so are manners and respect. The director of Higher Learning Academy in Lake Wales says educators at her school... — Updated 4/29/2021 Full story

Dr. Debra Wright-Hudson is on a mission. The acting principal of McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy is reaching out to the Lake Wales community to share the good news... — Updated 4/22/2021

The Polk State College District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider changes in lab fees for college credit, Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety, and Educator... — Updated 4/22/2021

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the launch of a resiliency initiative for Florida schools to emphasize key character development skills including volunteerism, teamwork... — Updated 4/15/2021

Applications are now being taken online for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) for the 2021-22 school year. The VPK application process is now being conducted entirely online.... — Updated 4/8/2021

There are many components that combine to create a successful virtual learning experience for your child. Navigating the change from in-school learning to at-home learning requires... — Updated 1/21/2021

(Editor's Note: Lake Wales High School is not included in this report, since it is part of the charter system and not considered a traditional Polk high school. Its graduation rate... — Updated 1/15/2021

Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland has been named one of the five best universities in the Southern states for tech students by Deep South Magazine. Florida Poly, the only... — Updated 12/11/2020

Open enrollment at Polk County Public Schools will take place Nov. 10 - Jan. 12. During open enrollment, families can apply for their students to attend Cambridge AICE, choice... — Updated 11/11/2020

Polk County Public Schools and the Florida Department of Health-Polk have partnered to create a COVID-19 call center that opens Monday, Nov. 2. The call center will be open from... — Updated 10/29/2020

Enrollment for Polk State College's Spring Semester will begin on Monday, Oct. 26 with priority registration for students who have completed at least 50 percent of their program... — Updated 10/29/2020

Florida Polytechnic University has taken on a new initiative to support high schools throughout the state by providing a virtual network of trained learning assistants. More than a... — Updated 9/30/2020

Florida Polytechnic University is starting the academic year with a strong commitment to an environment of respect, support, and adequate representation of minorities on campus.... — Updated 8/26/2020

Polk County Public Schools has created a new resource for parents, employees and members of the public who seek further information about the impact of COVID-19 on their school... — Updated 8/26/2020

Cyber Florida at University of South Florida and the Florida Center for Instructional Technology at USF are pleased to announce that Polk County has joined the partnership to prepar... — Updated 8/13/2020

The Aug. 11 Polk County Public School Board meeting featured only two agenda items: updates on COVID-19, and following its lunch break, the search for a new superintendent. As has c... — Updated 8/13/2020

Stephen Cornelius had big plans to grow the Lake Wales High School Highlander Band, and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Now starting his second year as director, Cornelius is... — Updated 8/5/2020