School + Community Partnerships

Tomorrow’s employees, volunteers and leaders are today’s students – and they need a solid start, high-quality foundation and life-long career and personal development to be prepared to meet the future. Learn more about how the business community, organizations and individuals are partnering with schools to grow successful learners.

Introducing Partners in Education

In 2022, Lakeland Vision and the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce formed a collaborative education committee with the goals of resourcing, engaging and celebrating Polk County's educational institutions through business engagement and public awareness.

Our community’s vision includes “lifelong education” as one of four focus areas identified by citizens. With goals for community support, career development, early childhood preparation and outcome-centered curriculum, Lakeland’s vision for high quality educational opportunities can only be realized through cooperation and collaboration.

Together, we can ensure that all students are ready to learn and have the opportunities to succeed as they grow. To achieve this, the Education Committee of Lakeland Vision and the Lakeland Chamber has worked with Polk County Public Schools to develop a toolkit for School and Community Partnerships, and we're implementing these resources and best practices in four pilot schools.

School & community partnerships are an evidence-based strategy that communities can use to address students’ academic and social-emotional needs effectively and efficiently.  

• ​Students with mentors improve their attendance rates by 98%!  
• Guest speakers introduce students to career options, hobbies, and activities. 
• Tutors help improve reading fluency and vocabulary development. ​

Countywide School District PiE School & Community Engagement Toolkit (8.5 × 11 in)

We encourage you, your business, church, civic club - or book club -  to consider how your gifts of time and talents could positively impact the lives of students and teachers within Polk County Public Schools.

Lakeland's 45 public schools benefit from the support of two Community Liaisons who help connect and strengthen partnerships. To learn more about how you can get involved and begin making a difference for our students, please contact Reba Coil or Crystal Davis.

Reba Coil | Director, Community Liaison, South Lakeland Area
[email protected]

Dr. Crystal Davis | Director, Community Liaison, North Lakeland Area
 [email protected]

---

Our partners at the Florida Chamber Foundation have developed The Florida Scorecard™ to provide state and local stakeholders with the metrics to measure progress toward meeting the goals outlined in the  Florida 2030 Blueprint, a two-year research program that engaged business and community leaders in each of Florida’s 67 counties and identified key trends and the factors that drive their regional economies.

Talent supply & education metrics are available for Kindergarten Readiness, VPK Completers, 3rd Grade Reading  & Math Scores,  8th Grade Reading  Science & Math Scores, Graduation Rates and Employment Data.

Click HERE to view Polk County metrics