For more information about enrollment or the Choice of School process, contact:
For more information about Magnet Programs, contact:
Magnet application process & timelines
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.
Interested in learning about our programs? See our magnet programs page.
Skyward Family Access accounts
In order to apply for a magnet program, you will need to have a Skyward account. If you have not previously created an account, please see: how to create and activate a new GISD Family Access Account.
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:
- Log in to Skyward Family Access* during the application period indicated in the timeline below.
- Choose the "Online Forms" option.
- Click "Fill Out Form" next to the Choice of School form.
- Complete all required information.
- Apply for one or two different magnet programs.
For detailed, step-by-step instructions, see the Skyward Magnet Application and Program Continuation Form page. (NOTE: This process does not apply for Pre-K/Kinder or second chance applications.)
If you are not currently a Garland ISD student, you must enroll before you can access the magnet application.
*If you don't have a Skyward account, please see: how to create and activate a Skyward Family Access account.
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
Below are listed 2020-21 application timeline dates.
Grades 1-12
| Application event | Date | Location |
| #ChooseGarlandISD Expo | Nov. 13 | Curtis Culwell Center |
| Magnet application for grades 1-12 | Dec. 9,2019 - Jan. 11, 2020 | Skyward |
| Magnet application help session | Dec. 9 | Shugart PDC |
| Magnet application help session | Dec. 18 | Shugart PDC |
| Montessori observation | Jan. 11 | Herfurth Elementary School |
| Academic testing | Jan. 18 | Rowlett High School |
| Results posted in Skyward | Jan. 24 | Skyward |
| Deadline to accept a seat | Feb. 3 | Skyward |
Pre-k and kindergarten
| Application event | Date | Location |
| Magnet application for Pre-K/K | March 2, 2020 - April 13 | Skyward |
| Academic testing | Canceled* | Dorsey Elementary School |
| Montessori observation- ages 3 and 4 | Canceled* | Luna Elementary School |
| Montessori observation- KN/Bilingual | Canceled* | Herfurth Elementary School |
| Results posted in Skyward | TBD | TBD |
| Deadline to accept a seat | TBD | TBD |
*These testing dates have been canceled
Second chance application
Please note that the second chance window is for non-magnet students only.
| Application event | Date | Location |
| Magnet application for grades PreK-12 | TBD | TBD |
| Academic testing | TBD | TBD |
| Montessori observation | TBD | TBD |
| Results posted in Skyward | TBD | TBD |
| Deadline to accept a seat | TBD | TBD |
Contact us
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For more details about the magnet application process and to find answers to frequently asked questions, visit the Magnet FAQ page.