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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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 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 as the District will rely on the current address in the computer to process your choices. Not having an updated address may result in denial of your choice of school.

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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 be notified the beginning of May. (No notification is sent when a student DOES receive their first choice.)

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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:

  • Option 1 - I prefer keeping my children together at the same school. (Applies only to siblings residing at the same address)
  • Option 2 - 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, if possible.

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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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Who must participate in the 2010-2011 30-day Choice of School process?

  • Any new student to GISD
  • Any student entering the 6th grade
  • Any student entering the 9th grade
  • Pre-Kindergarten students entering Kindergarten
  • Any student wanting to change their choices in the computer system
  • Secondary students that enrolled, re-enrolled, or transferred schools after February 27, 2009
  • Elementary students that enrolled, re-enrolled, or transferred schools after March 27, 2010
  • Students that have had a change of address
  • Any student who received their 2nd, 3rd, or alternate choice for the 09-10 school year and  wish to make it their first choice in the computer system.

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Submitted 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.

Who does not have to participate in the 30-day Choice of School process?

  • Current year, 2009-2010 Seniors
  • Students that submitted a choice form last year and do not want to make changes to their choices in the computer system
  • Current 6th and 7th grade students that do not want to change Middle Schools
  • Current 9th through 11th grade students that do not want to change High Schools

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What if my child is in Middle or High School and is happy with their choice of school and does not want to switch schools?

As long as your student’s current school is in the system as their first choice, we will automatically assign them back to their current middle/high school.  If this is the case and you do not wish to make any changes, you will not need to submit a choice of school form. 

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What if I am happy with the choices I submitted last year, do I have to turn in a new form?

If you are happy with the choices you made last year and you do not wish to make any changes you do not have to submit a new form for the 10-11 school year.

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What should I do if I received my 2nd or 3rd choice last year and I don’t want to change schools?

If you received your 2nd, 3rd, or alternate choice for the 09-10 school year and you do not want to change schools you will need to submit a new choice of school form indicating your current campus as your 1st choice.

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If I'm a current magnet student, do I have to turn in a form?

All magnet students will receive a letter indicating their program status prior to the choice period. This letter will give specific information as to the submission of a choice of school form. If a student is continuing in a magnet program they will not have to submit a choice of school form.  

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How are students are assigned to schools?

Assignments are processed by priority:

  • Residing within a designated walk or transportation zone
  • Proximity to campus
  • Family preference

Certain schools may become overcrowded in one or more grade levels, but not in ALL grades.

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I transferred schools; do I need to participate in the choice of school process?

If you have transferred schools at any point since the previous year’s choice of school period you must participate in the current choice of school process.

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How will I know what my choices are from last year?

The Department of Transportation and Student Services will be providing a letter to all students/parents with this information prior to the beginning of the choice of school period.

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Need More Info?

Get more information about the Garland ISD Choice of Schools through the

District website:
www.garlandisd.net/choiceofschool
Visit us at:        
Student Services/School Choice
720 Stadium Drive
Garland, TX 75040
Call us at:
(972) 494-8255
Email us at:
choiceofschool@garlandisd.net

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