The schools in Bartow are operated by the Polk County School Board, although several of them predate the establishment of the school board, and were autonomous at one time. Bartow High School, formerly Summerlin Institute, is the oldest high school in the county and one of the oldest high schools in the state of Florida. In 1923 Union Academy, became the first African-American high school in Polk County. Court-ordered integration began in Bartow during the fall of 1969, and the former black high school Union Academy became a middle school. In 1971, Summerlin Institute officially became Bartow High School, a name it had been known as informally at least since the early 1900s. There are currently seven elementary schools and two middle schools which are feeder schools of Bartow High School. Located at the campus of Bartow High School is the International Baccalaureate School of Polk County which offers an academically challenging environment and the Summerlin Academy which offers a military-oriented education.
The schools in Bartow are operated by the Polk County School Board although several of them predate the establishment of the school board and were autonomous at one time Bartow High School formerly Summerlin Institute is the oldest high school in the county and one of the oldest high schools in the state of Florida In 1923 Union Academy became the first African-American high school in Polk County Court-ordered integration began in Bartow during the fall of 1969 and the former black high school Union Academy became a middle school In 1971 Summerlin Institute officially became Bartow High School a name it had been known as informally at least since the early 1900s There are currently seven elementary schools and two middle schools which are feeder schools of Bartow High School Located at the campus of Bartow High School is the International Baccalaureate School of Polk County which offers an academically challenging environment and the Summerlin Academy which offers a military-oriented education