With its Choice of School program, Garland ISD offers students from Garland, Rowlett and Sachse incredible learning opportunities.
Choice of School history
Dr. Babetta Hemphill, executive director of student services, explained that Garland ISD, like many other districts, was placed under a segregation order in the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1987, the district discovered that more action was needed to improve desegregation efforts. One of those improvements was to the existing Choice of School plan.
“Many school districts are now participating in Choice of School, but here in Garland we’ve been working on it since the 1970s,” Hemphill said.
It began with a few campuses but the program has expanded and now offers opportunities for numerous interests, subjects and study paths. To name a few, there are academies for gifted and talented students, arts magnets, STEM magnets, dual language programs and collegiate magnets that allow students to graduate with a high school diploma and associate degree at the same time.
“From the idea to improve desegregation at our campuses back in the 1980s, to where we are now, we’ve grown leaps and bounds,” Hemphill said. “Those are just some of the advantages that were offered as a result of having a Choice of School plan.”
“We looked at lots of things,” she said. “But a jewel that came out of it was our choice plan. It allowed us to start giving parents the option of choosing the best fit for their students.”
Educational opportunities
At GISD, students are able to determine their interests and focus on those throughout their public school careers. To take advantage of these opportunities, students/parents must submit a Choice of School form. There are two Choice of School periods each year.
Most importantly, 5th-graders and 8th-graders must complete the Choice of School form because they will be attending new schools their next school year.
A Choice of School period is currently open. It will close on Feb. 26. This is for students that will be in first through 12th grades.
No action is needed if a student is attending the same school as the previous year.
“If they are happy where they are, they can remain there,” Karina Trotter, assistant director of student services said. “They don’t have to do anything.”
Trotter added that there are many reasons for a student to change campuses. They might, for instance, have family members at a different school or find more suitable transportation to another school or wish to pursue a path available at a magnet school.
Campus availability
It’s important to note that there are some non-transport areas. For example, if there are several schools near a student’s home, but they choose to go further away, transportation isn’t guaranteed.
In addition, getting into a specific school can be difficult which is why students specify their first, second and third choices. The only guaranteed seats are those for students that attended that specific school the previous year.
For example, if a student attends a magnet school one year then wants to attend their neighborhood school the next year, a seat at the neighborhood school is not guaranteed. Or if a student moves to a new neighborhood, space might not be available at that neighborhood school. It depends on several factors including how many spaces must be reserved for returning students.
In these cases, the district will do everything possible to ensure the best outcome for the parents and students. If there is no opening in the neighborhood school, they will look for the next closest school or one to which they can provide transportation.
“If we can’t get students where they want, we are going to figure out a way to get them to a school where we do have availability,” Hemphill said.
The district keeps a waiting list for students who could not be placed in their school of choice, and parents are notified if an opening becomes available — even after school starts.
Last school year 96.2% of students got their first choice.
“One of the reasons we have good attendance is because our families are happy where they are,” Hemphill said. “Kids are more engaged and successful so they graduate. We just ask them to bear with us through the waiting list process.”
Reminders
If your child is in a transition year, they need to hear from you via the Choice of School form. If a form isn’t submitted, the student will be placed in a school closest to their home that has openings or one to which transportation can be provided by the district.
In addition, this is the time to enroll for the next school year if you are not currently enrolled.
Important dates: There are two Choice of School periods each winter/spring for families to make their selections.
Choice of School dates for the 2021-22 school year
- Grades 1-12: Jan. 6, 2021-Feb. 26, 2021
- Prekindergarten and kindergarten: March 24, 2021- May 28, 2021
Helpful links:
- Detailed, specific information: Choice of School information and FAQs.
- Complete the Choice of School form here or on Skyward Family Access Account.
- Click here for Transportation Maps or visit any campus, Harris Hill Administration Building or Manuel & Maria Valle Student Services Center.
- Click here for information on magnet programs. Many campuses offer magnet programs that provide specialized instruction in a specific area. Magnet applications and acceptance are required.
- School Interest Finder helps parents find the school that fits their child’s interests.
- Magnet Application Dates for 2021-2022 School Year
- Grades 1-12: Jan. 6, 2021-Jan. 27, 2021 – CLOSED
- Prekindergarten and Kindergarten: March 24, 2021-April 21, 2021
- New to GISD students will complete the Choice of School form as part of the enrollment.