Students must meet initial qualifications for the magnet program in which they want to apply. These requirements vary by program and can include test scores, grades, art/music assessments and more. Determine which programs your student qualifies for by reviewing information about each magnet program.

Learn more about specific testing and assessment requirements on the Magnet assessments page.

Application process

Be sure to apply by the deadline listed in the application timelines below.

How to apply

Follow these steps to apply for magnet programs:

1. Log in to Skyward Family Access
2. Choose the "online forms" option.
3. Complete all required information.
4. Apply for one or two different magnet programs.

If you are not currently a Garland ISD student, you must enroll before you can access the magnet application.

Student selection

If the student qualifies and is placed in the first choice magnet, the student will not be considered for the second choice magnet.

If the student does not qualify for the first choice magnet, the student will be considered for the second choice magnet.

Find out more about priority placement on the Magnet policies page.

All magnet applicants (except Academy of Excellence)

All qualified applicants will be placed in a lottery and offered seats in the order they are chosen. When all the seats are filled, the remaining qualified students will be placed on the waiting list. Students will be called from the wait list as seats become available until the second week of school.

Academy for Excellence applicants

All qualified applicants will be ranked according to combined scores and offered seats in rank order. When all seats are filled, the remaining qualified students will be placed on the waiting list. Students will be called from the wait list as seats become available until the second week of school.

Notification of application results

Families will be able to view program acceptance via Skyward Family Access on the notification date listed in the application timelines.

Accept/decline magnet seat

If a student is accepted, a parent must accept or decline the magnet seat on the parent notification form in Skyward on or before the deadline listed in the application timelines. If a parent accepts the magnet seat, the choice is binding for the entire school year.  (Board policy EHBB Local).

Learn more about magnet program transfers, continuation, probation and exits on the Magnet policies page.

What about choice of school?

Accepting a magnet seat serves as a student’s choice of school selection.

Students will only need to enter the choice of school process if:

• they do not qualify for either magnet choice
• they are placed on a wait list
• their parent declines the magnet seat

Application timelines

Please review the 2019-20 application timeline dates below.

Students entering grades 1-12

Students entering Pre-k or Kindergarten

Second chance application (entering PreK-12)

The second chance application window is for non-magnet students only.