Choice of School Procedures

Garland ISD will annually offer a 30-day Open Enrollment Choice of School period for the following school year. Choice of School requests are honored based on the capacity of the school.

Choice of School Period

The Open-Enrollment 30-day Choice Period will occur in the spring semester. Elementary and secondary will have separate open enrollment periods, which are as follows:

  • Secondary Choice Period (Grades 5-11)
    January 21 – February 19
  • Elementary Choice Period (Grades PreK-4)
    March 2 – March 31

Forms

Individual forms have been developed for secondary (green forms) and elementary (orange forms) selections. Forms will be sent home with students the day before the 30-day choice period begins.

Forms can also be obtained from:

  • Your neighborhood Garland ISD school
  • Garland ISD Student Services Center
    720 Stadium Drive; Garland, TX 75040
    (SE corner of Glenbrook and Stadium Drives-near William Stadium) 
  • Harris Hill Administration Building Reception Desk
    501 S. Jupiter Road; Garland, TX 75042
    (SW corner of Jupiter and Walnut – across Jupiter from the Forest/Jupiter DART station)

Family Preference Option

Remember, the Elementary Choice of School form includes a “family preference” option. With this option, a family can indicate whether:

  • Option 1 - It is more important to have all of their children at the same campus, even if none of their choices can be honored; or
  • Option 2 - It is more important to receive one of their choices, whenever possible, even if their children must attend different campuses

If a family has more than one child, there is a possibility that one child might receive their first choice, but the other be assigned to the second choice school. To help the district make appropriate decisions in cases like this, the Elementary Choice of School form includes a “family preference” option. With this option, a family can indicate whether:

Magnet School Application Period

The Magnet application process does not replace the thirty (30) day choice of school period. The Magnet School Application Period will begin during the fall semester and continue into the spring semester, concluding prior to the 30-day Choice of School periods for both elementary and secondary schools.

Magnet School Information

Choice of School Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How are students 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.

How long does your choice remain "Active"?

Choices made by the parents of elementary students during the 2009-2010 Choice period will stay active for subsequent choice periods as long as the student remains enrolled in the Garland ISD unless one of the following conditions occurs:

  • Student moves from Pre-K to elementary school
  • Student moves from elementary to middle school
  • Student moves from middle school to high school
  • Parent wishes to make a new choice during the 30-day Choice of School period
  • Student transfers to a school any time after the last Choice of School period
  • Secondary students who do not submit a choice of school form during the 30-day Choice of School period will be automatically assigned to their last location.

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, 2009
  • 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.

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

More Choice of School Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)