McLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts Academy is a Polk County Public Schools

Polk County Public Schools

Polk County Public Schools is a school district headquartered in Bartow, Florida, United States. The district serves Polk County.-Intelligent Design Controversy:...

 middle school located southeast of downtown in Lake Wales, FL.

History

The school opened in 1964 as Lake Wales Junior High School. It's name was changed in 1985 to McLaughlin Junior High, then McLaughlin Middle School.

Arts Academy

Modeled after a similar institution in Detroit, McLaughlin added more intensive fine art

Fine art

Fine art or the fine arts encompass art forms developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery"....

s programs in 2007 . The school changed its name to the McLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts Academy. The school is now one of four middle schools to have an arts focus in Polk County

Polk County, Florida

Polk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow and its...

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In 2011, McLaughlin was designated an Arts Achieve! Model School by the Florida Alliance for Arts Education. Through the 2013-2014, it will help other schools around Florida develop their visual and performing arts programs.