Founding

In November of 2002, the Education Committee of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce initiated a Feasibility Study to assess the potential enhancements for the Lake Wales area schools. Over a span of two months, this study involved 157 interviews and culminated in the publication and distribution of a "Report on Feasibility Study"^[2] on January 31, 2003. The report revealed several key findings:

1. It highlighted a consensus within the community that education had become a significant concern.
2. There was a shared belief that the community should take responsibility for the quality of its schools.
3. Emphasis was placed on the importance of creating a solution that would benefit all students across various schools, without elitist distinctions.
4. All students were seen as needing a solid foundation in fundamental subjects, particularly reading.
5. The curriculum was envisioned to be more practical, offering real-world educational choices relevant to local families and the regional economy.

Following the Feasibility Study, an organizing group was established in early February to develop a plan for implementing a system of public charter schools in Lake Wales. This group comprised individuals identified in the study as having deep concerns about education and holding high credibility within the community.

According to Florida charter school law, obtaining charter status necessitated favorable votes from both the teachers and parents of a given school before applying to the school board.^[3] Favorable votes from the faculty were secured at five schools: Lake Wales High School, Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Janie Howard Wilson Elementary, and Polk Avenue Elementary. Subsequently, votes were conducted among the parents at these schools, with remarkable consistency, resulting in 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, and 75% in favor of conversion.

In September 2003, the organizers submitted comprehensive and thorough charter status applications to the Polk County School Board for each of the five schools. These applications were approved at a school board meeting on October 22, 2003, granting conversion charter status to all five schools. Consequently, Lake Wales Charter Schools, Inc. welcomed its first students in August 2004.^[4]

The initial Board of Trustees included Gail Crum (teacher representative), Richard "Dick" Howell, Albert Kirkland, Joyce Otte, Jerome Mack, Clinton Horne, and Robin Gibson (chair).

A Seamless System

In August 2008, the LWCS introduced its own startup middle school, known as Edward W. Bok Academy, creating a seamless K-12 charter school system.^[5]

Growing

Starting with the 2011-2012 school year, the Lake Wales Charter Schools system was designated as a local educational agency (LEA) by the Florida Legislature, responsible for managing federal programs and budgets.

Elementary schools

• Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary
• Hillcrest Elementary School
• Janie Howard Wilson Elementary School
• Polk Avenue Elementary School

Middle schools

• Edward W. Bok Academy South
• Edward W. Bok Academy North

High school

• Lake Wales High School