Choice of School
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the District Freedom of Choice Plan?

It is a plan that gives parents the opportunity to select a school for their child for the following school year.

The District Freedom of Choice Plan has the following two requirements:

  • All schools must conform to court-established ethnicity ratios.
  • School enrollment cannot exceed the established capacities set at each campus.

These two factors will impact final student assignment. These are the only two reasons a choice of school would be denied.

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Why does Garland ISD have a Choice of School Plan?

The District is governed by a desegregation plan under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, approved under the 1970 Civil Court Order, and amended in 1987 by Civil Court Action. Under the provisions of the plan, the District does not designate school attendance areas during the annual 30-day Choice of Schools selection period, when parents or students 18 years or older are required to select the school that the student would like to attend the following year.

A 30-day choice period is conducted every spring semester. If by the end of the choice period the parent or 18-year old student has not selected a school to attend, the District will make a choice for the student. These choices are binding for the next school year.

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Who must participate in the 30-day Choice of School process?

All students entering Garland ISD for the 2008-09 school year. This includes:

  • All students currently attending school in Garland ISD (seniors need not participate). For the 2008-09 choice of school period, ALL current elementary GISD students will need to submit three choices to the District. These choices will remain active for subsequent choice periods. Parents may alter these each year if they desire, or their choices may remain active until the student proceeds to a middle school or high school.
  • Any new student to GISD.
  • Any student entering the 6th grade.
  • Any student entering the 9th grade.
  • Pre-kindergarten students entering Kindergarten.

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What if my child is in Middle or High School and I am happy with my choice of school and don’t want to switch schools?

Although past students could remain at their current selected school by not submitting a Choice of School form, all students are requried to submit forms for the 2008-09 school year. Once the information has been updated in the new system, students  will again be automatically assigned to their current location for the 2009-10 school year.

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Is there an advantage to turning my form in early, before the deadline?

No. All choice of school forms are processed after the 30-day window and all are given equal consideration.

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What happens if a parent does not submit a Choice of School form?

Secondary students will be assigned to their last location. Elementary students will also be assigned to their last location if building capacity allows. If not, they will attend the closest school to their residence where space is available.

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When will parents know if they received any of their choices?

If they do not receive their first choice of school, parents of secondary students (5th-12th grade) will be notified by the end of March. Parents of elementary students will know by the end of April. (No notification is sent when a student DOES receive their first choice.)

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What if the District cannot honor any of the parent choices?

If the District cannot honor any of the requested choices, we will assign the student to the closest available school. If the residence is in a designated transportation area, then the student will be assigned to that particular school. If you have moved, it is important to provide your child’s school with new proof of residence before the choice period ends. The District will rely on the current address in the computer to process choice. Not having an updated address may result in denial of your choice of school.

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What happens when a school is overcrowded?

Elementary schools must maintain the state’s 22/1 pupil-to-teacher ratio  for students in grades PreK-4, and cannot exceed the building capacities. When an elementary campus is full, students are typically assigned to the closest school. When secondary schools become overcrowded, the District restricts enrollment to only those students residing in the school’s walk zone or bus zone.

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How do I get into a school where transportation is provided?

In general, if a residence is within the two mile walk zone of an available school, no transportation will be provided. However, to determine whether your address is within a transportation zone, you may send an email to the Transportation Department  at transportation@garlandisd.net that includes the following information:

  • Your exact street address
  • The grade level(s) that your child(ren) will be attending.

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What is the “Family Preference Statement?”

This statement applies only to families with more than one child attending GISD schools at a particular level – Elementary, Middle or High school. The “Family Preference Statement” is a section of the Choice of School form that lets us know what guides a family’s decisions in the choice of school process. In this section, you are asked to choose between two options:

  • I prefer keeping my children together at the same school. (Applies only to siblings residing at the same address)
  • I prefer receiving my first, second or third choice.

Your children will be placed according to your preference. The first preference statement indicates that keeping your children together in the same school is most important to you even if the school is not one of your choices. The second statement lets us know that you do not mind having your students attend different schools as long as you receive a school that you have chosen.

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What is the “Sibling Rule?”

If a sibling is currently attending a school, we will give other siblings the opportunity to attend the same school even though it may be outside the family’s attendance or transportation zone, provided building capacity will not be exceeded. However, this rule does NOT apply to siblings of magnet students. Magnet students have been chosen to attend the school because of a special interest, talent or academic achievement. This privilege to attend does not automatically extend to siblings.

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Will the District provide transportation to and from a school if that school was not one of my choices?

Anytime a student’s first choice cannot be honored, the District attempts to provide another option within the student’s walk zone. If that option is not available, transportation would be provided to a school within the student’s transportation zone.

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What if I want to alter my choice of school?

During the 30-day choice period, you can alter your selection by submitting a new choice of school form.

Once the 30-day choice period has ended, you must submit an In-District Transfer Request form (SP-1017) to alter your selection. Transfer guidelines will be followed to evaluate these requests with priority given to students who have changed residences.

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What is a “Programmatic Transfer”?

A programmatic transfer refers to the “availability at another school of a course of study”.  For example, a parent has chosen North Garland High School during the choice of school period, but later their child decides they would like to enroll in the cosmetology program.  As this is only offered at South Garland High School, a request for a programmatic transfer to SGHS would be required.

The district will process programmatic transfer requests during a specific time of the year.  Programmatic transfers for the next school year will NOT be processed beyond the last day of the spring semester of the current year.

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How do I get my child on a waiting list for a particular campus?

If you wish, you may place your child on a waiting list for any school for which your initial choice is denied by contacting that particular school.  You will be notified if/when an opening for your child becomes available.  If an opening at your first choice school becomes available after the school year has already begun, you may choose to have your child remain at the school he has been attending.

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