Career academies are small, personalized learning communities within a high school that select a subset of students and teachers. Students enter the academy through a voluntary process; they must apply and be accepted with parental knowledge and support.

A career academy involves teachers from different subjects working together as a team. Staff teams, who often share common planning time, work together to implement the key features of the academy and provide students with training in the career field. Students may be grouped together for several periods every day with a core group of teachers. This promotes a family-like atmosphere and results in close student-teacher ties.

For more information, admission requirements, a current list of all career academies or to apply online, please click here to visit the official career academy district webpage at polkschoolsfl.com/careeracademies.

Lakeland Power Academy

Lead Teacher: James Rose

Phone: (863) 499-2655
Fax: (863) 499-2726

1100 Red Devil Way
Lakeland, FL 33815

Areas of Interest: Industrial Electric

Lakeland Electric Power Academy Logo

Learn relevant skills that will prepare you for a successful career, as an Electrician, Line Worker, System Control Operator, Meter Technician, Power Plant Operator, or Engineer. Students will gain a solid understand of industrial electricity and entry-level positions through out the utility industry. Students will experience extensive job shadowing with the City of Lakeland, Lakeland Electric, and other local energy companies.

Lakeland Electric anticipates many career opportunities becoming available for students graduating from high school during the next several years due to employee retirements.

This program will help students develop the necessary technical and people skills required for employment at Lakeland Electric or for any company in the world. In addition, this Academy will provide students with an excellent foundation to compete for a variety of careers in other trades and industries, such as construction and manufacturing.

This program will also be very beneficial for students planning to move on to a four-year college or a trade school by providing technical knowledge and dual college credit enrollment while still in high school.

Academy of Natural Resources

Lead Teacher: Andrea Childress

Phone: (863) 499-2215
Fax: (863) 499-2766

1100 Red Devil Way,
Lakeland, Fl 33815

Areas of Interest: Agriscience

Academy of Natural Resources Logo
Agriculture courses provide students with skills for the workplace in many different areas; including agricultural communications, agriculture mechanics, aquaculture, animal science, forestry and horticulture. Students will understand that leadership, teamwork and responsibility are all components to success. Students learn from hands-on activities, work in the classroom and also through the largest student run organization in the world, the FFA.

Digital Media Technology Academy

Lead Teacher: Malinda Pough

Phone: (863) 499-2655
Fax: (863) 499-2726

1100 Red Devil Way
Lakeland, FL 33815

Areas of Interest: Digital Media and Technology

Digital Media Technology
Ignition TV
Prepare for a career in areas of promotional graphics, digital design, TV broadcast or Legal office while earning industry certifications in Adobe products such as Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Illustrator and Microsoft Office. Students may choose between three tracks: Digital Design, Digital Video Production and Administrative Specialist. Students will work in small supportive, motivational communities while preparing for careers in the high-growth, high-salary fields of Digital Assistant Designer, Film Production Assistant and/or Administrative Assistant.

KHS IgnitionTV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmgFFK0eTeAaqfAxgs33vQ

Sports Medicine Academy

Lead Teacher:

Phone: (863) 499-2655
Fax: (863) 499-2726

1100 Red Devil Way
Lakeland, FL 33815

Areas of Interest: Medical

Sports Medicine Academy - Kathleen High School
As part of this academy, students will have hands-on training that will lead them into the medical field. This academy offers courses in Medical skills, Health Science Anatomy, and Health Science Foundations.

Central Florida Aerospace Academy

Lead Teacher: Jennifer Sasser

Phone: (863) 413-3620
Fax: (863) 647-4764

4141 Medulla Road, Lakeland, FL 33811

Areas of Interest: Aeronautics, Engineering

Central Florida Aerospace Academy Logo
The Central Florida Aerospace Academy exists to provide a meaningful and content rich education that will inspire and motivate students at all levels. Students are challenged to reach high levels of achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in preparation for high-tech careers in the fields of aviation and aerospace. The academy will respond to the needs of industry by placing emphasis on teamwork, individual achievement, skill development, creativity, and innovation, as well as critical thinking. As students are prepared to be productive and responsible members of the workforce, the academy will instill in them an appreciation for professionalism, ethical behavior, and an awareness of global opportunities, while developing self-worth, high expectations, and a great respect among a diverse population of students and staff. Students attend high school every day at the Lakeland Regional Airport and yet have access to all of the benefits of high school (sports, clubs, etc.).