Choice of School Process

Garland ISD operates under a desegregation order known as the “Freedom of Choice” plan. This plan provides for a 30-day choice of school period during which parents may choose what school they would like their child to attend.  There are no “attendance zones” for any campus in the district. Instead, parents are given the opportunity to make a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd school choice which the district tries to honor.  Denial of school choice occurs when there is overcrowding in the selected school and/or the enrollment would adversely affect the ethnic ratios at the school.

Each year, the annual thirty-day “Choice of School” period is held in the spring semester.   If you have questions about the Choice of School process, make plans to attend one of the information meetings scheduled during December and January. See the Choice of School Town Hall Meeting schedule for dates and more information.

Prekindergarten and Kindergarten

Parents/Guardians with children who will be five on or before September 1st of the coming school year and wish to enroll their child(ren) in kindergarten can begin enrollment for the following school year on the first day of the 30 -day Choice of School Period at Student Services or their local elementary school.  All kindergarten classes in GISD are full day programs.

At designated schools, the District offers a cost-free prekindergarten program for children who are four-years old on or before September 1 of each school year. To qualify for the program, the child must be limited English proficient, qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program, be the child of an active duty military member or one who was killed or injured while on active duty, or be or ever have been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Magnet Schools

Garland has thirteen campuses that host magnet school programs.  These schools have limited "neighborhood" seats available.  Other students must meet the application requirements and be accepted to the magnet program to attend the school. Magnet school information

Magnet and Choice of School Frequently Asked Questions:

If I am planning to have my child apply to a magnet program, do I choose the magnet campus as my "first choice" school during the "Choice of School Process?

A new applicant who wishes to attend a magnet program and has not been given an acceptance invitation should select a school other than a magnet campus. You should proceed with the "choice of school process" with the assumption that your child will NOT be admitted to the magnet program. If you child is accepted, you will notified by the school, and the school will help you with the transfer process.

I've heard that there are slots available for neighborhood children to attend magnet schools. Would my child be eligible to enroll as a "neighborhood" student?

There are a limited number of places reserved at the magnet campuses for non-magnet students. The number of "neighborhood" slots is small. Priority is given to students living closest to the campus. Unless you live in the immediate neighborhood of the magnet campus, it is NOT advisable to choice a magnet school as your first or second "choice" school.

New 2008 - 2009 Enrollment

Students who are new to Garland ISD (moving into the district mid-year or prior to the first day of school in August) should review enrollment procedures. Enrollment information

Standardized Dress

In Garland ISD, many schools have adopted a “standardized dress" code policy for their student body.  If your choice of school selection will be influenced by a standard dress policy, please check with campuses prior to submitting your final choice selections.

Links:

General Dress Code
Elementary Standardized Dress Code
Middle Standardized Dress Code

 

Choice of School Contact Information

Enrollment Questions:
Office of Student Services at (972) 494-8255

Immunization Questions:
Department of Health Services at (972) 487-3268

Bus Transportation Questions:
Transportation Dept. at (972) 494-8530